The government announced yesterday that it will open the Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) service to all media organizations, starting from the next financial year. This marks a departure from the previous years where exclusivity was granted to the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC).
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, in a statement following Cabinet meetings on July 11, 12, and 15, shared that the government had previously engaged only FBC for PSB through radio and TV. In the interest of fairness and to create a level playing field in the media industry, the government now plans to engage other service providers. This move aims to ensure a broader reach on issues of public interest and enhance competition within the media sector.
This development is expected to foster a more balanced media landscape, offering a wider variety of local and engaging content, expanding media service coverage across the country, and ultimately raising media standards in Fiji.
Stanley Simpson, director of Mai TV, welcomed the government’s decision, noting that Mai TV has been operating for 15 years without government support, unlike some competitors who have received significant financial incentives. Simpson highlighted the importance of PSB funds in producing content that educates and informs Fijians, as well as preserving local culture and information. He emphasized that a fair distribution of PSB funds will strengthen Fiji’s broadcast industry and its production capabilities.
FBC chief executive officer Tarun Patel also welcomed the news, appreciating the inclusion of other media organizations in the PSB grant and nation-building initiatives. He assured that FBC would continue to fulfill its PSB obligations as per the government contract.
Attempts to get comments from Fiji Television Limited CEO Sunjeewa Perera and Communications Fiji Limited general manager Charles Taylor were unsuccessful.