NUKU‘ALOFA — On September 4, 2026, the Chief Executive Officer of 88.1FM The People’s Radio and the Tonga Chronicle received Interim Orders from Lord Chief Justice Bishop KC. The orders address the exclusion of both media outlets from press conferences hosted by the Prime Minister’s Office and the Government of Tonga.
The legal matter, designated as case CV45 2026, is scheduled for a court hearing on September 11, 2026.
According to records, the Plaintiff, ’Etuate Lavulavu, attempted to schedule an appointment with Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua on August 19, 2026, to discuss the exclusion. However, security personnel at the St. George Government Building denied Mr. Lavulavu entry. Consequently, no meeting was finalized and no communication took place—an outcome attributed directly to the Prime Minister’s decision.
Had the Prime Minister granted an opportunity for dialogue, the media organizations might not have found it necessary to pursue legal action to protect their constitutional right to freedom of the press in Tonga.
