In a joint statement, the media bodies described the ban as severe censorship, which had no place in a democracy.

Tonga says the newspaper, which is published in New Zealand, undermines the government.

Earlier this year it declared it an illegal import. When the Tonga Supreme Court overturned the ban, a second order was issued making it illegal to import, sell or distribute the newspaper.

Earlier this month, the Brussels-based International Federation of Journalists called on the Tongan government to reverse the ban, saying Tongans had a right to independent news.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service