Friday, 01 October  2010, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) - The Chief Executive Officer of Tonga’s Ministry of Information and Communications, Paula Ma’u, has urged participants attending a documentary-making and graphic art design workshop in Nukualofa to consider promoting freedom of expression with responsibility and accountability as outlined by Tonga’s national information sector policy.

 ‘The policy’s objectives aim to ensure the existence of a robust, socially and economically viable, sustainable and accountable information services sector to promote freedom of expression, ensure compliance with the legal limits to freedom of expression, and encourage media operators and practitioners to comply with professional and ethical journalistic reporting standards,’ Mr Ma’u said.

 ‘In terms of documentary making, these objectives imply that we need a robust environment to ensure freedom of expression and at the same time documentary makers must be fully responsible and accountable for the final content of their documentaries.’

 Mr Ma’u was speaking to 30 participants attending a two-week training workshop organised by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s Regional Media Centre in partnership with its HIV Section and Culture Programme.

 Mr Ma’u urged participants to consider broadband  as a high speed internet vehicle to promote the documentary films that will be produced at the workshop.

 ‘Documentary making can benefit from technological advancements that allow people around the world to work together. This technology also makes it possible for our work to reach audiences around the world,’ he said.

 The workshop also includes a presentation on cultural mapping and policy from Tonga’s Ministry of Education, Women and Culture and a briefing from the Family Health Association on sexual health and reproductive issues, including sexually transmitted infections (STI) and teenage pregnancy.

For more information please contact Ruci Mafi, Communications and Training Assistant, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .