The acting prime minister of Tonga has opened the Pacific Island News Association conference by telling journalists they often have the power to make or break a country's financial markets.
Regional media have gathered in Tonga for the four-day conference entitled Media Freedom in a transitional society.
Siosiua 'Utoikamanu says in the past markets have been affected by information which has incited panic among investors.
Mr 'Utoikamanu says his government has recently moved to address this possibility.
"The ministry of finance has included the media in economic reform and decision making in the way they set up the revenue reform information office which collects information through surveys and disseminates information on economic policies with the aim of informing all stakeholders."
