Transcript
Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva has had a tense relationship with the Tonga Broadcasting Commission in recent times, labelling it an 'enemy of the government' and criticising it for not supporting the government's work.
He has forced the TBC chair Tapu Panuve to resign, is looking to replace the general manager Nanise Fifita and has not ruled out other changes.
Mr Pohiva says the board has repeatedly failed, in spite of repeated requests from cabinet to make sure that the TBC carried out its function.
He says as government property the TBC needs to adhere to those requests.
"It is completely different from any other independent media here in Tonga. So if that is the case, Radio Tonga and Television Tonga's main role is best to facilitate government. But that doesn't mean that government stops TBC from criticising government but it must be do it in a way that is not malicious."
'Ahongalu Fusimalohi has replaced Tapu Panuve and says he will look into the complaints of unfair reporting starting with a review of the TBC's recent work.
"Look at the exact news that they are concerned about. Look at the exact pieces because I was given a transcript of a press conference that the prime minister had carried out and the representative from Radio Tonga, who apparently is working as a consultant, decided to make use of the opportunity while posing for Radio Tonga, to disrespect the prime minister."
Veteran journalist and vice-president of the local media council Pesi Fonua says he has not witnessed any unfair reporting of the government leading up to leadership changes.
"Honestly I haven't really seen anything out of the straightforward comment of what is happening. What is happening, you can't do much about it. If that's what happened, then that's what you report. So I really know what they mean, besides the fact that I think it's becoming clear [and] evident that the prime minister is trying to control the Tonga Broadcasting Commission."
Mr Fonua says it could be the last nail in the coffin for TBC.
"Look at the position of Tonga Broadcasting Commission during the past few years which is it has been struggling to keep the service going and this is what is like a final blow."
'Ahongalu Fusimalohi says financially TBC, which gets revenue from advertising, has been near insolvent but he will conduct a major overhaul of production, presentation and content to improve matters.
'Akilisi Pohiva says the TBC changes are part of a plan to introduce positive change in the country.
"We are now in a process of transformation and for change to be meaningful and real, we have to introduce reforms. What we have been doing in regards to the operation of TBC is one of the reforms which is necessary and appropriate to be taken so that we can move forward."
However the last time the government enforced board changes at TBC the Supreme Court quashed the removal of the chair and another board member, awarding Lady 'Eseta Fusitu'a and Lady Tuna Fielakepa costs in the process.
