Tongan newspaper condemned by AG over judge criticism

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Updated November 23, 2009 10:08:46

A Tongan newspaper has been criticised by the country's Attorney-General for its comments about one of the country's judges. The Kele'a newspaper, which is closely linked to Tonga's pro-democracy movement, is reporting that an MP is going to move a motion of impeachment against the judge in parliament. It says the reason for this is that the judge has had one of his decisions overturned on appeal to the High Court.

But Attorney-General John Cauchi says this is an unfair criticism, as having decisions overturned shows the legal system of checks and balances is working. He says Kele'a's comments may have something to do with the fact that the judge has found the paper guilty of defamation several times in the past

Presenter: Bruce Hill
Speaker: John Cauchi, Tonga's Attorney-General

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