Tongan journalists are calling for greater protection and support as the expansion of the illicit drug trade across the Pacific creates new risks for media workers investigating organised crime and public safety issues.
Concerns were raised during a Media Association of Tonga (MAT) Press Club discussion focused on “Drugs, Security and Reporting”, where journalists, law enforcement officials and regional partners discussed the challenges of covering a growing security issue while ensuring reporter safety.
The discussion followed an incident involving a journalist who encountered an armed individual while investigating suspected drug-related activity. Media representatives said the incident highlighted the increasingly difficult environment faced by journalists who report on sensitive issues involving criminal networks, corruption and community harm.
Teisa Pohiva Cokanasiga, manager of Kele’a Voice, said the situation demonstrated the importance of protecting journalists who carry out public interest reporting. She noted that many Pacific newsrooms operate with limited financial and technical resources, making it challenging to provide security training, legal support and other protections for reporters working on high-risk stories.
Regional law enforcement officials told the forum that drug trafficking has become a growing concern across the Pacific, with criminal networks exploiting the region’s geography and maritime routes. The Australian Federal Police said 17 tonnes of illicit drugs had been seized across the Pacific since January 2026, compared with 4.6 tonnes seized during the whole of 2025, indicating a significant increase in trafficking activity.
Tonga Police Commissioner Geoff Turner said authorities were strengthening cooperation with regional partners, improving intelligence capabilities and enhancing measures to disrupt organised crime operations, including the seizure of assets linked to illegal activities.
The rise in drug trafficking has become a wider Pacific security concern, with governments across the region calling for stronger cooperation and information sharing. Tonga’s leaders have also highlighted the need for Pacific-led solutions to address the social and security impacts of the drug trade.
Media leaders said journalists must continue to play a role in informing communities about these issues, but stressed that stronger protections and regional support are needed to ensure reporters can work safely.
