An additional funding of $3.1 million has been allocated by the Ministry of Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics as a public service broadcasting (PSB) grant for media organizations, announced Prime Minister and Minister for Information Sitiveni Rabuka.
During a parliamentary session, Mr. Rabuka stated that the new $3.1 million is available for tender to various media companies. In contrast, the existing $7 million has been designated for the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) and will be effective for a three-year term starting August 1, 2023.
Mr. Rabuka mentioned that the recently appointed FBCL board, which began its term on January 11, 2023, in collaboration with the Finance Ministry, has suggested a 44 percent reduction in PSB fees for both radio and television. This initiative aims to diminish FBC’s dependence on PSB fees and foster a self-sustaining business model for the national broadcaster.
“This has been executed without interrupting the organization’s current activities and its personnel,” Mr. Rabuka emphasized.
He also pointed out that, historically, the government has solely tasked FBC with providing public service broadcasting for radio and television. To promote fairness and competition within the media sector, the Government aims to involve additional service providers to broaden the outreach on public interest issues and enhance competition in the media landscape.