Tonga Broadcasting Commission

Earlier Tu'i Uata began his tenure by moving two of the TBC's most experienced journalists out of the newsroom and into the marketing department.

Both journalists had had run-ins this year with prime minister 'Akilisi Pohiva who called the TBC an enemy of government because of its critical coverage.

However Dr Uata told Kaniva News that change had to occur as the TBC faced being shut down within two months because it was running at a loss.

He blamed the situation on the way the news was created saying the problem was the content was not popular.

Nanise Fifita was sacked from Tonga's Broadcasting Commission in May even though her contract had a right of renewal clause.

The move came a few months after the Prime Minister had called the TBC an enemy of government after numerous clashes with staff.

The Public Enterprise Minister Poasi Tei and the TBC were defendants in the case.

They argued that the Minister was not consulted, as required by the Public Enterprises Act, when she was reappointed, making the decision void.

The public enterprise minister, Poasi Tei, told parliament last week the Tonga Broadcasting Commission had not been able to pay its dividend and 49 percent of it would be sold.

The broadcaster and the prime minister, 'Akilisi Pohiva, had been squabbling for months after Mr Pohiva fired the broadcaster's chair and labelled the TBC an "enemy of the government."

RNZI reports the publisher Kalafi Moala said there was no justification for the commission's sale, apart from petty politics.

The public enterprise minister, Poasi Tei, told parliament on Friday Tonga Broadcasting Commission had not been able to pay its dividend.

The government plans to retain a 51 percent share, while 49 percent will be offered for private sale.

But a broadcaster and publisher, Kalafi Moala, said the Commission was set up as a public service, not a government cash cow, and the proposed sale was not at all justified.

The Minister of Public Enterprise, Poasi Tei, revealed this in Parliament during deliberations on his ministry's budget estimate.

He told Parliament that in the past three years, the state broadcaster had not been able to pay its dividend, which was contrary to the government's objective of encouraging its enterprises to make profits.

Supporting the cabinet's initiative, the Minster of Finance, Tevita Lavemaau, said the proposal was for government to hold 51 percent of shares while 49 percent will be given to a private company to operate the television and radio stations.

The TBC board, which earlier had its chairman sacked, fired Ms Fifita under the direction of the Public Enterprise Minister Poasi Tei.

RNZI reports the moves came after the prime minister complained that the state broadcaster had not been supporting the government enough and was unfair in its reporting.

But a lawyer for Ms Fifita said the government had ignored the right of renewal clause in her contract.

Clive Edwards said he expects the Chief Justice to make a decision on whether he would hear the petition by the end of the week.

The government has written to Nanise Fifita to say her contract is null and void.

This came after the TBC chairman was forced to resign amid complaints by prime minister 'Akilisi Pohiva that the company was not supporting government enough.

But Ms Fifita's lawyer, Clive Edwards, said she had a right of renewal clause in her contract.

He said if the board carried out the sacking then legal action could follow.

Lady 'Eseta Fusitu'a's dismissal was later quashed by the Supreme Court.

Radio Tonga reported that an offer from the Minister of Public Enterprises Poasi Tei has been declined by Lady Fusitu'a.

The terms of the offer included no reinstatement, compensation of nearly $US18,000 plus interest, legal costs, the potential of additional payments and an apology.

In 2015 Mr Tei recruited new directors and stated that the TBC's operation was on the rise and reinstating the plaintiff might stifle progress.

The change which became effective on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 was conveyed to the TBC Board in a letter from the Minister for Public Enterprises, Poasi Tei.

The move separates TBC’s Board from the merged ICT Board which also comprises Tonga Post & Fast Print and TCC.

Speaking to Radio and Television Tonga News, Pita Moala, A board Director of TBC says, reason for the move has not been revealed.

In December 2015, the government merged the three boards namely TBC, TCC and Tonga Post & Fast Print to cut costs.

'Akilisi Pohiva has had a tense relationship with the Tonga Broadcasting Commission in recent times, labeling it an "enemy of the government" and criticizing 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 said the board had repeatedly failed, in spite of regular requests from cabinet to make sure that the TBC carried out its function.

He said as government property the TBC needed to adhere to those requests.