More sedition in Tonga

Last month, the Tongan government raided the offices of the pro-democracy newspaper Kele'a in retaliation for its persistent criticism of the government. Now they've upped the ante, and charged its editor with sedition over comments made about the royal family - presumably under the "exciting disaffection" clause. And this isn't the only attack on the media - Sangster Saulala, the owner of Tonga's only private TV station and of the Tonga Star, was charged with sedition last month.

This shows the danger of sedition laws. The Tongan government is clearly attempting to silence those calling for democratic reform - and sedition is the perfect weapon for doing so.