The Times of Tonga (Taimi o Tonga) was a biweekly newspaper in Tonga. First published in April 1989, it was published for 30 years by editor and publisher Kalafi Moala and was a frequent target of the Tongan government. Moala sold the business in 2019,[1][2] and it is now an online publication.

The Taimi 'o Tonga was 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.[3] In 2002, Moala published a history of the newspaper, Island Kingdom strikes Back: The Story of an Independent Island Newspaper.[4][5]

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.[6]

In 2003, the newspaper was banned by the Tongan government for campaigning to overthrow the constitution.[7] The ban was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court,[8] but the government repeatedly ignored the ruling and reinstated the ban.[9][10] The ban was eventually lifted in June 2003.[11] The failure of the ban caused the government to amend the constitution to limit judicial review of royal decisions.[12]

In 2004, the newspaper was banned under a new Media Operators Act, which prohibited foreign owned publications.[13][14] The law was later overturned by the Supreme Court, and the Times was issued with a media licence.[15]

In 2005, Tonga's Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala claimed that the newspaper's legal problems were due to a personal vendetta by then Police Minister Clive Edwards.[16]

In March 2009, the Times purchased the government-owned Tonga Chronicle.[17] In November 2009, the publication celebrated its 20th birthday.[18]

References

  1. ↑ Sri Krishnamurthi (25 June 2019). "Iconic Tongan publisher Kalafi Moala eyes new digital media challenge". Asia Pacific Report. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  2. ↑ "Stalwart of Tongan journalism calls it a day". RNZ. 4 June 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  3. ↑ "Tongan journalists confidence will be boosted by successful suit against Government". RNZ. 12 December 2002. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  4. ↑ Moala, Jale (2003). "REVIEW: Courageous media catalyst fuelling change behind kingdom's facade: Review of Island Kingdom strikes Back: The Story of an Independent Island Newspaper- Taimi 'o Tonga, by Kalafi Moala". Pacific Journalism Review. 9 (1): 183–186. doi:10.24135/pjr.v9i1.768.
  5. ↑ Tapu Misa. "Kalafi Moala: Island Kingdom strikes back". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  6. ↑ "Democracy activists to face trial in Tonga". RNZ. 19 August 2002. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  7. ↑ "Tongan government says banned paper campaigned for overthrow of constitution". RNZ. 27 February 2003. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  8. ↑ "Tonga supreme court declares newspaper ban illegal". RNZ. 4 April 2003. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  9. ↑ "Tonga Privy council issues new ban on Taimi O Tonga newspaper". RNZ. 5 April 2003. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  10. ↑ "Tonga Government refuses to allow distribution of paper despite ban being lifted". Radio New Zealand International. 29 May 2003. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  11. ↑ "Tongan government bows to court order on newspaper ban". RNZ. 12 June 2003. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  12. ↑ "Tongan parliament passes controversial amendment". RNZ. 17 October 2003. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  13. ↑ "Tongan police confiscate newspaper". RNZ. 8 January 2004. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  14. ↑ "Taimi O Tonga newspaper not to be distributed in kingdom any longer". RNZ. 31 January 2004. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  15. ↑ "Tonga gives newspaper licence for distribution". RNZ. 14 October 2004. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  16. ↑ "Tonga's Crown Prince replies to criticism from former minister". RNZ. 26 January 2005. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  17. ↑ "Tonga's Taimi Media Network to take over Tonga Chronicle on Friday". RNZ. 18 March 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  18. ↑ "Taimi 'o Tonga newspaper celebrates 20 years of publishing". Pacific.Scoop. 27 November 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
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