Times of Tonga
{{Short description|Tongan newspaper and sister online publication}}
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,{{cite web |url=https://asiapacificreport.nz/2019/06/25/iconic-tongan-publisher-kalafi-moala-eyes-new-digital-media-challenge/ |title=Iconic Tongan publisher Kalafi Moala eyes new digital media challenge |publisher=Asia Pacific Report |author=Sri Krishnamurthi |date=25 June 2019 |access-date=23 August 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/391181/stalwart-of-tongan-journalism-calls-it-a-day |title=Stalwart of Tongan journalism calls it a day |publisher=RNZ |date=4 June 2019 |access-date=23 August 2022}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/142096/tongan-journalists-confidence-will-be-boosted-by-successful-suit-against-government |title=Tongan journalists confidence will be boosted by successful suit against Government |publisher=RNZ |date=12 December 2002 |access-date=23 August 2022}} In 2002, Moala published a history of the newspaper, Island Kingdom strikes Back: The Story of an Independent Island Newspaper.{{cite journal |title=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 |last1=Moala |first1=Jale |journal=Pacific Journalism Review |volume=9 |issue=1 |year=2003 |pages=183–186 |doi=10.24135/pjr.v9i1.768 |doi-access=free }}{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/ikalafi-moalai-island-kingdom-strikes-back/OMDZA3Z2GDK75PGJZALX2HJR24/ |title=Kalafi Moala: Island Kingdom strikes back |publisher=New Zealand Herald |author=Tapu Misa |access-date=23 August 2022}}
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.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/140524/democracy-activists-to-face-trial-in-tonga |title=Democracy activists to face trial in Tonga |publisher=RNZ |date=19 August 2002 |access-date=23 August 2022}}
In 2003, the newspaper was banned by the Tongan government for campaigning to overthrow the constitution.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/142628/tongan-government-says-banned-paper-campaigned-for-overthrow-of-constitution |title=Tongan government says banned paper campaigned for overthrow of constitution |publisher=RNZ |date=27 February 2003 |access-date=23 August 2022}} The ban was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court,{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/143099/tonga-supreme-court-declares-newspaper-ban-illegal |title=Tonga supreme court declares newspaper ban illegal |publisher=RNZ |date=4 April 2003 |access-date=23 August 2022}} but the government repeatedly ignored the ruling and reinstated the ban.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/143103/tonga-privy-council-issues-new-ban-on-taimi-o-tonga-newspaper |title=Tonga Privy council issues new ban on Taimi O Tonga newspaper |publisher=RNZ |date=5 April 2003 |access-date=23 August 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/144283/tonga-government-refuses-to-allow-distribution-of-paper-despite-ban-being-lifted |title=Tonga Government refuses to allow distribution of paper despite ban being lifted |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=29 May 2003 |access-date=23 August 2022}} The ban was eventually lifted in June 2003.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/144217/tongan-government-bows-to-court-order-on-newspaper-ban |title=Tongan government bows to court order on newspaper ban |publisher=RNZ |date=12 June 2003 |access-date=23 August 2022}} The failure of the ban caused the government to amend the constitution to limit judicial review of royal decisions.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/145757/tongan-parliament-passes-controversial-amendment |title=Tongan parliament passes controversial amendment |publisher=RNZ |date=17 October 2003 |access-date=23 August 2022}}
In 2004, the newspaper was banned under a new Media Operators Act, which prohibited foreign owned publications.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/146867/tongan-police-confiscate-newspaper |title=Tongan police confiscate newspaper |publisher=RNZ |date=8 January 2004 |access-date=23 August 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/147164/taimi-o-tonga-newspaper-not-to-be-distributed-in-kingdom-any-longer |title=Taimi O Tonga newspaper not to be distributed in kingdom any longer |publisher=RNZ |date=31 January 2004 |access-date=23 August 2022}} The law was later overturned by the Supreme Court, and the Times was issued with a media licence.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/151161/tonga-gives-newspaper-licence-for-distribution |title=Tonga gives newspaper licence for distribution |publisher=RNZ |date=14 October 2004 |access-date=23 August 2022}}
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.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/152908/tonga's-crown-prince-replies-to-criticism-from-former-minister |title=Tonga’s Crown Prince replies to criticism from former minister |publisher=RNZ |date=26 January 2005 |access-date=23 August 2022}}
In March 2009, the Times purchased the government-owned Tonga Chronicle.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/182577/tonga's-taimi-media-network-to-take-over-tonga-chronicle-on-friday |title=Tonga's Taimi Media Network to take over Tonga Chronicle on Friday |publisher=RNZ |date=18 March 2009 |access-date=23 August 2022}} In November 2009, the publication celebrated its 20th birthday.{{cite web |url=https://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2009/11/taimi-o-tonga-newspaper-celebrates-20-years-of-publishing/ |title=Taimi ‘o Tonga newspaper celebrates 20 years of publishing |publisher=Pacific.Scoop |date=27 November 2009 |access-date=23 August 2022}}