The government has announced its decision to open the Public Service Broadcasting service to all media organizations, which is set to begin in the next financial year. This marks a shift from the exclusivity that was previously granted to Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC).
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, in a statement yesterday following Cabinet meetings on July 11, 12, and 15, announced that the government had decided to engage multiple service providers for public service broadcasting through radio and TV. This move aims to promote fairness and competition in the media industry, ensuring a wider reach on issues of public interest.
This decision is expected to enable a more level playing field, foster the creation of more local and interesting content, extend the reach of media services across Fiji, and elevate the standard of media in the country.
Mai TV director Stanley Simpson praised the government for this initiative. He noted that Mai TV has been operating for 15 years without government support, while competitors received significant financial benefits and incentives. Simpson highlighted the importance of Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) funds in producing content that informs, educates, and enriches Fijians. He emphasized that this move will allow Fijians to tell their own stories, rather than being overwhelmed by foreign content.
Simpson also mentioned that fair distribution of PSB funds would enhance Fiji’s broadcasting industry and production capabilities, a longstanding issue in the country.
FBC chief executive officer Tarun Patel welcomed the news as well, expressing that the inclusion of other media organizations in public service broadcasting grants and nation-building events is a positive development. He assured that FBC will continue to fulfill its contractual obligations for PSB as per the government’s directives.
Efforts to get comments from Fiji Television Limited chief executive officer Sunjeewa Perera and Communications Fiji Limited general manager Charles Taylor were unsuccessful.