Members of the Tongan Media recently took part in a training on anti-corruption undertaken by the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project with the assistance of the UNDP Tonga Governance Strengthening Programme (TGSP).
As part of the training, Lord Fusitu’a, Member of Parliament and Chair of the Tongan Chapter of GOPAC (Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption), shared with participating media recent anti-corruption activities at Parliament, which have included the creation of a Standing Committee on Anti-Corruption, the first such committee in the South Pacific.
Presentations were also made by the Commissioner of Public Relation and former Minister of Justice and Attroney General Mr ‘Aisea Taumoepeau, who briefed participants on legislative and constitutional protections against corruption. He also clarified the difference between the office of the ombudsman and an anti-corruption commission.
The workshop was led by UNDP Anti-Corruption Consultant and former Australian MP John Hyde, who briefed media participants on the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and helped in increasing media understanding of the role of the media in highlighting UNCAC and anti-corruption and how to influence policy-making.
The workshop was one of many activities undertaken in conjunction with Parliament and government efforts to address the anti-corruption issue.