Fiji’s Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, has pledged his government will repeal the draconian media laws that put Fiji at the bottom of the Press Freedom Index for countries of the Pacific. The laws are restrictive on critical news reports of the Government, issuing heavy fines and prison sentences on any who breach these laws. Media organizations can also be penalized with heavy fines. Fiji media have been at the mercies of these laws for the past 13 years. Mr. Rabuka told Fiji’s Parliament, “this is not a pledge to amend but to totally repeal these laws.”
Author: Newsdesk
A man from Houma is still missing despite search for him in the southern seas of Tongatapu. Siale Havea, 44, was with a group diving off the coast of Houma and Ha’akame on Friday evening, 31 March. Police were called to the scene after Havea failed to resurface from where they were.
Tonga’s inter-island ferry, the MV ‘Otuanga’ofa has departed Auckland on Saturday 1 April for Nuku’alofa. The Government-owned vessel which served the outer islands of Tonga has been in Auckland for repair since September 2022. The ship is expected to arrive in Nuku’alofa on Friday 7 April. The MV ‘Otuanga’ofa was a gift from the Japanese Government in 2010 to replace the MV Ashika which sank with the loss of 74 lives.
Government may not allow any other airlines to operate in Tonga to compete with Lulutai Airlines. This was the indication in a leaked letter from the Ministry of Infrastructure. Even though the letter from the Ministry of Infrastructure stated there is an open market for domestic air services, it also affirms the fact that the policy is restricted to Tongan-based air operators. The CEO of Fly Niu, ‘Atu Finau, said of the letter: “It means they will not approve any other airline to compete with them”. The Minister of Infrastructure, Sevenitini Toumoua, is also the Minister for Civil Aviation. Real…
Tonga has lifted the requirement to have COVID-19 vaccination proof for all foreign travelers arriving in the country. The Prime Minister’s Office on 31 March stated that Cabinet has approved the Open Border Policy Framework. The requirement for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all foreign travelers arriving in Tonga has been removed. COVID-19 cases in Tonga and around Pacific Island countries have dropped in the last six months, prompting the Ministry of Health’s proposal to remove the requirement for proof of vaccination. In September 2022, Tonga lifted most of its health requirements, resulting in full border re-opening for both air and…
By Denghua Zhang Beijing has taken steps to increase its influence in the island region at the same time as its aid levels decline. SYDNEY, 08 NOVEMBER 2022 (DEVPOLICY.ORG) -China is now a principal donor in the Pacific alongside traditional development partners. Demonstrating its aid commitment to the region, China recently mobilized its navy and air forces, embassies in Tonga and Fiji, and Chinese state-owned enterprises to deliver relief supplies to Tonga in the wake of a volcanic eruption and tsunami disaster that hit the country in January 2022. Chinese aid pledges to Solomon Islands are even more prominent. In…
NUKU’ALOFA, 01 NOVEMBER 2022 (TONGA WIRES): King Tupou VI is expected to deliver Tonga’s Statement at the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 27) to the UNFCCC in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt in November. Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku said the King will deliver the statement at this global high-level climate change meeting. A delegation from Tonga, which will also include Hon Hu’akavameiliku, who is also acting Minister for Climate Change (MEIDECC) will attend and discuss issues including working together with other Pacific Islands to better key issues concerning us, including ways to withstand natural disasters and climate change and…
by Ikani Taliai These are principles of foundational vision that demonstrates the balance required for a harmonious society. This is the balance between (1) rights (totonu) and (2) responsibilities (fatongia). For a citizen to acquire rights from his/her society, that citizen must take on responsibility in that acquisition. The movement that commenced in Tonga in the 1970s expressed balance. A vision for a society that gives rights of liberty, equality, and social justice to its citizens was counterbalanced with a need for accountability. This accountability was not just focusing on leaders being accountable, but it was focusing on the responsibility…
28th September Public is hereby informed that Mr. Rafaat Ebrahim otherwise known in Tonga as the Egyptian Doctor has not been registered in the Medical and Dental Practice Board. He has applied to be registered as a Medical Doctor but he has not provided sufficient evidence to the Board that he underwent the rigorous training to become a Medical Doctor. As such, any claims by this individual or a group of people that Mr. Ebrahim is a Medical Doctor is false information. He has no right to offer medical advice or treat anyone in Tonga under the pretention of him…
Bail granted for Tongan suspect Prosecutors had to wait almost seven years, but Etuate Lavulavu will soon answer in court to charges that he sold falsified documents to help undocumented Tongan immigrants secure U.S. citizenship. Some 26 felony charges were filed against Lavulavu and two co-defendants in 1997 by the state Attorney General’s Office. The co-defendants — Lavulavu’s brother Samuela Lavulavu, and Ana Malia Fuka — were arrested and prosecuted. Etuate Lavulavu had evaded authorities until this week. “This was an old warrant, 1997, we just finally got him,” said attorney general spokesman Ric Cantrell, who did not know how…