Times of Tonga
Encyclopedia
The Times of Tonga also known as Taimi o Tonga is published by the Taimi Media Network Ltd from Auckland
, New Zealand
. It started publication in April 1989. It is published twice a week. The newspaper's owner and publisher is Kalafi Moala, a Tongan-American citizen.
The newspaper has been a frequent target of the Tongan government. In 1996 Moala and editor Filokalafi Akau’ola were imprisoned for 30 days for contempt of parliament after reporting on a motion in the Legislative Assembly
which criticised a government minister. Their imprisonment was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, and they were later awarded US$26,000 in compensation.
In 2002 editor Mateni Tapueluelu was charged with sedition and forgery over the publication of a letter claiming king Taufa'ahau Tupou IV
had a secret fortune.
In 2003 the newspaper was banned by the Tongan Government for campaigning to overthrow the constitution. The ban was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, but the government repeatedly ignored the ruling and reinstated the ban. The ban was eventually lifted in June 2003. The failure of the ban caused the government to amend the constitution to limit judicial review of royal decisions.
In 2004, the newspaper was banned under a new Media Operators Act, which prohibited foreign owned publications. The law was later overturned by the Supreme Court, and the Times was issued with a media licence.
In 2005 it was revealed that the newspapers legal problems were due to a personal vendetta by then Police Minister Clive Edwards
.
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It started publication in April 1989. It is published twice a week. The newspaper's owner and publisher is Kalafi Moala, a Tongan-American citizen.
The newspaper has been a frequent target of the Tongan government. In 1996 Moala and editor Filokalafi Akau’ola were imprisoned for 30 days for contempt of parliament after reporting on a motion in the Legislative Assembly
Legislative Assembly of Tonga
The Legislative Assembly of Tonga has 30 members, 9 members elected for a three year term in multi-seat constituencies via the single non-transferable vote system, 9 members elected for a three year term by the 33 hereditary nobles of Tonga, 10 members of the Privy Council and 2 governors. The...
which criticised a government minister. Their imprisonment was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, and they were later awarded US$26,000 in compensation.
In 2002 editor Mateni Tapueluelu was charged with sedition and forgery over the publication of a letter claiming king Taufa'ahau Tupou IV
Taufa'ahau Tupou IV
Tāufaāhau Tupou IV, King of Tonga, GCMG, GCVO, KBE, KStJ son of Queen Sālote Tupou III and her consort Prince Viliami Tungī Mailefihi, was the king of Tonga from the death of his mother in 1965 until his own death in 2006...
had a secret fortune.
In 2003 the newspaper was banned by the Tongan Government for campaigning to overthrow the constitution. The ban was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, but the government repeatedly ignored the ruling and reinstated the ban. The ban was eventually lifted in June 2003. The failure of the ban caused the government to amend the constitution to limit judicial review of royal decisions.
In 2004, the newspaper was banned under a new Media Operators Act, which prohibited foreign owned publications. The law was later overturned by the Supreme Court, and the Times was issued with a media licence.
In 2005 it was revealed that the newspapers legal problems were due to a personal vendetta by then Police Minister Clive Edwards
Clive Edwards (Tonga)
William Clive Edwards OBE is a Tongan Cabinet Minister and former Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga. He is a member of the People's Democratic Party and currently serves as Minister for Justice and Minister for Public Enterprise....
.