TONGA – A Noble Representative in Tonga’s parliament says closing down the nation’s state broadcaster would be unconstitutional.

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva wants to review the Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC) because he says the broadcaster is not doing its job of facilitating government work.

He described the TBC as “an enemy of government” and said the services may be better carried out by a different provider.

However Lord Fusitu‘a said any move to shut down the TBC would be in breach of the constitution.

He said there was also a Tonga Broadcasting Act which would need to be revoked and would have far-reaching ramifications.

“The very basis of any Westminster democracy is the rule of law and once you chip away at freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, you are chipping away at the rule of law which ends up, in most cases, disregard to the rule of law. Which is extremely destructive to any democracy of any sort.”

Prime Minister Pohiva says he is not happy with how the TBC operates and a review will be carried out over the next month.

Pohiva, who has long been at loggerheads with the TBC management, says the broadcaster is an obstacle and a real constraint on the work of government.

“They have become an enemy of government. They claim the freedom of media should be allowed, should be the same with any other media in Tonga, but they should understand there is a basic difference between a private media and also government media.

‘Their main role, to me, is to facilitate the work of the government,” Pohiva said.

The chair of the local Media Council says the Prime Minister must explain his comments. Pesi Fonua, who also runs the Matangi Tonga news site, says the prime minister seems confused.

He said it appears Pohiva is saying the TBC is there to support the government.

“He seems to have a misunderstanding of what public broadcasters are supposed to be doing.”

The regional watchdog Pacific Freedom Forum says the Prime Minister’s stance doesn’t fit his history of democratic activism.

Pohiva is a long time leader of the democratic movement in Tonga and has run a local newspaper.

PFF Chair Monica Miller says it is not the job of any news media to support the government of the day, but to represent the public and their interests.

Pesi Fonua says the statements are typical of Pohiva’s leadership approach.

Lord Fusitu‘a says even if Pohiva’s comments are just talk, it is concerning that the head of government would contemplate and verbalise shutting down a media organisation because he doesn’t agree with what it is doing.

But Pohiva says the TBC has also been running at a loss for years and suggests privatisation is the way forward.

“We can advertise whoever wants to do the work, to provide great services to the public, let them apply for it and we will find out who is most suitable, who is most appropriate to do the work.” - RNZI/PNC