TV3 tape seized at Tongan ferry hearing

A TV3 crew covering a royal commission into Tonga's Princess Ashika ferry disaster had a video tape seized and its contents blanked out in a dispute over filming.

TV3 was covering the inquiry which is investigating the sinking earlier this year, which saw the loss of 74 people.

At the inquiry former Christchurch businessman John Jonesse, now manager of the government-owned Shipping Corporation, was giving evidence, saying the 37-year-old ferry was mechanically sound.

According to Tonga Broadcasting the chairman of the Royal Commission, Warwick Andrew confiscated TV3's tape after a complaint was made from Attorney General John Cauchi.  

TV3 was allowed to record footage and audio inside before the public hearing began, but were told to stop once it began. 

As soon as the hearing began, the camera stopped rolling and the video tape was ejected and laid on top of the table next to TV3's reporter. However they still used a wireless audio transmitter to record the audio of the testimony as the hearing continued.

A few minutes later, the officer in charge of the court's sound system picked up interference and sounds on his tape recorder - indicating other electronic devices were used in the room. 

TV3's head of news, Mark Jennings, told Stuff the issue arose out of a misunderstanding. While they were only allowed to film the opening minutes of the commission, they were allowed to continue taking a sound recording, he said.

With the camera pointing at the ground they continued to record sound onto the tape.

"There was no attempt to covertly film the commission," he said, adding that the camera was the only sound recording equipment they had.

He confirmed that after the court seized the tape, they lost the audio.

The commission is not sitting today but will resume tomorrow.