By David Robie
International media organisations and Pacific islands groups have joined in a chorus of protest at the jailing on September 20 of two Tongan journalists and pro-democracy campaigner and MP 'Akilisi Pohiva. The jailings are the latest confrontation between the government, dominated by the king and 33 noble families, and a movement calling for more democracy.
The three men were jailed for 30 days for contempt of parliament after the newspaper Taimi 'o Tonga published a front-page report about an impeachment motion against Justice Minister Tevita Tupou before it had been tabled in parliament.
Tupou is alleged to have visited the Atlanta Olympics without being authorised by the Legislative Assembly and to have been paid a daily parliamentary session allowance in spite of being out of the country.
Taimi editor Kalafi Moala and deputy editor Filokalafi 'Akau'ola were jailed along with 'Akilisi Pohiva, a prominent whistle-blower against abuse of power in the kingdom. Pohiva had helped draft the motion and said that its release to the press before it was dealt with in parliament was an error. Pohiva, who suffers from asthma, is being detained at Vaiola National Hospital under police guard.
'Akau'ola was detained for 26 hours in February after his newspaper published a letter criticising police minister Clive Edwards. The Australian Centre for Independent Journalism, Pacific Journalism Review, Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, Reporters Sans Frontieres and the International Federation of Journalists issued protests along with the Fiji Journalists Association, Fiji Islands Media Association, Pacific Islands News Association and the Pacific Freedom of Information Network.
Media representatives covering the South Pacific Arts festival in Apia also joined Western Samoan journalists in appealing to King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV to intervene and free "our Pacific brothers" from jail.
In Sydney, ACIJ editorial director Peter Cronau described the jailings as a backward step for press freedom. "Governments everywhere should resist the temptation to interfere in the role of the media in bringing information to the public, no matter how unfavourable that information may be", said Cronau. "The ACIJ calls for the immediate release from jail of the journalists and the MP."
The editorial board of Pacific Journalism Review, a regional journal monitoring media, also appealed for the release "without delay" of the journalists and MP. The Review described the action as "draconian and unbecoming" of a nation that guaranteed press freedom in its constitution. "We note that 'Akau'ola had already been detained by authorities in February amid widespread international condemnation and an Agence France Presse correspondent was barred from attending a regional media convention in Nuku'alofa last month for alleged critical reporting", said the Review.
The president of the Pacific Islands News Association, Monica Miller, said, "It is a human rights issue. Every man woman and child should feel very threatened if the people who give them information are being silenced."
The National newspaper of Papua New Guinea and the Fiji Times published articles harshly critical of the Tongan government.
Protests should be sent to: His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou, Royal Palace, Nuku'alofa, Kingdom of Tonga. Fax: (676) 24102; His Excellency Prime Minister Baron Vaea, Prime Minister's Office, Hala Taufa'ahau Kolofo'ou, Kingdom of Tonga. Fax: (676) 23888.