18 Apr 2017

Tonga PM unhappy about TBC contract renewal

2:51 pm on 18 April 2017

The head of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission has had her contract renewed, which has angered the Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva.

Tongan Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva.

Tongan Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva. Photo: RNZI/Alex Perrottet

This comes amid tense relations between the TBC and Mr Pohiva, who accused the state broadcaster of unfair reporting and called it an enemy of government, ordering a review with the possibility of closure.

The Kaniva website reported Nanise Fifita's contract renewal as CEO has now triggered the Prime Minister to consider sacking the chair of the TBC board Tapu Panuve and fellow member Aloma Johansson.

Mr Pohiva said Mr Panuve and Ms Johansson had completed one-year probationary periods and now the government could decide whether it wants them to continue.

He accused the board of not caring enough about his claims that some of TBC's reporting was malicious, unprofessional and unethical.

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