Tonga's Secretary of Information and Commission says new media legislation will not impact on media freedom.
The Communications Act 2015 comes after the introduction of high speed internet in 2013 and a government commitment to put in place measures to protect the people from criminal activities.
Tonga media have expressed concerns that the act will impede its ability to report stories but the secretary, Paula Ma'u, says the new legislation will not infringe on legitimate media freedoms.
"It is not about the controlling of what they are reporting. This act, the new bill, is basically to protect them, and us, and students and internet users, from misuse and abuse of internet for criminal activities."
Paula Ma'u says it is also about ensuring the safety of the banking sector.
Photo: AFP
