by Marie Kauna – EMTV Online, Port Moresby
While internet accessibility becomes easier for consumers around the globe, many problems continue to occur as results of overexposure.
Earlier this year, in an attempt to crackdown on pornography usage, the Nauru government banned the use of Facebook.
Like Nauru, the Tongan government has now taken steps to control internet access for users in the country.
The government has passed two new communication bills in an attempt to establish a new regulatory body that can block select content for internet users in Tonga.
The two new bills were proposed by the Communication Minister Siaosi Sovaleno.
Minister Sovaleno considers these two new communication bills are important and vital for the development of Tonga’s communication industry.
With advancing communication technology, Minister Sovoleno has pointed out the 15 year old Communication Act 2000 needed adjusting so it is in line with today’s advancing technology.
After the third reading on 6 October, the two bills were each passed with votes of 15-0.
This bill – the Communication Bill 2015, will enable a newly formed independent body to control the operations of the communication industry in Tonga.
