Paula Moimoi Latu, who was removed from the Teufaiva stadium last week for livestreaming the Tonga Fiji match, claimed he asked the organisers for permission and offered to help the TBC when their stream went down.
He said he found the incident embarrassing, but decided not to make a fuss.
Moimoi is well known to the Tongan international community for streaming events and drew a lot of online support after he was removed.
After his removal he spoke with Kaniva News editor Kalino Latu.
Kalino: Toko fefe hake? Did World Rugby officials give you any reasons why they wanted you to stop live streaming the game?
Paula Moimoi Latu: They said it’s their tournament and they have rights to it. They only gave Tonga Broadcasting Television the rights to film and livestream to the local TV station, not online. I told them there’s more Tongans overseas than in Tonga, so they said I can only take photos but no video. I got onto the internet and decided to livestream and next minute security came and kicked me out of Teufaiva
Q: Do you think your removal was fair because they already warned you ahead of the match?
A: True, but other media was filming so I was filming and wanted to watch and family message as well so I did it for them to watch and delete after the game. I contacted World Rugby and they said that I could, but they need letter from the government for broadcasting, but it was last minute to contact the government. I felt humiliated and embarrassed, but I didn’t want to make a big fuss at the game. Hearing stories from talk back radio by TV Tonga and Radio 87.5 saying that it was right to kick me out is interesting. People kept asking why and they said they had rights from World rugby. I got kicked out around the stadium and didn’t bother to livestream and went to a private tent and sat at a VIP seat to watch the game. While I was watching people and Tongans overseas and friends were texting and said they wanted to watch the game so I showed them where I was sitting and showing them what I was watching and then next minute I’m out of Teufaiva. It was the first time for me to hear of anyone in the world being kicked out of a game for livestreaming their point of view. Did the World Rugby officials go around the stadium and chase people out because of livestreaming.
Q: Did Tonga Broadcasting livestream the match?
A: Yes
Q: Was it available to outside Tonga?
A: They livestreamed it to the local TV station and it died after 10 minutes of the game. Why livestream locally and not overseas? Samoa vs Fiji is going to be livestreamed overseas. Why didn’t Tonga livestream the game overseas when the game was being hosted locally?
Q:I often came across them on Google alerts saying they are livestreaming and when I clicked on their link nothing came out.
A: I offered to help them and they said they are OK, we have World Rugby guys to help us out. I have livestreamed from Teufaiva how many times and then when it came to the big show they kick me out and they have a go pea mate (dead) after 10 minutes.
The main points
- Paula Moimoi Latu, who was removed from the Teufaiva stadium last week for livestreaming the Tonga Fiji match, claimed he asked the organisers for permission and offered to help the TBC when their stream went down.
- He said he found the incident embarrassing, but decided not to make a fuss.
- Moimoi is well known to the Tongan international community for streaming events and drew a lot of online support after he was removed.
For more information
World Rugby sparks outrage after removing man who live-streamed Tonga-Fiji test
