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PIE IN THE NEWS SKY: SODELPA questions rationale of limiting the local content on SKY TV; many had complained, especially Winston victims, who wanted to tune in to keep abreast with the local news updates  

7/4/2016

5 Comments

 

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SODELPA Party President and Turaga Bale na Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has questioned the rationale of totally removing the local content on Sky TV.

Ratu Naiqama said, “I condemn the total removal of local content on Sky TV”.

“Were the views of the Sky TV subscribers sought before this condition of sale was made?  It is absurd that Digicel Fiji had to accept the 12 years license in return for “removing all local content from Sky programming.” He said.

Ratu Naiqama stated that there were many issues of concern coming out of this latest change which includes worryingly the question of the integrity and accuracy of the Fiji TV shares now that Sky Pacific has been sold to Digicel.
 
“What will become of Fiji TV without Sky Pacific operations? Will these changes have an impact on the direct shares of the company on the South Pacific Stock exchange market since Sky Pacific used to be owned by Fiji TV and was its cash cow?” he questioned.
 
Ratu Naiqama has said that the party over the last few days has received so many calls from consumers from the whole of Viti Levu including the interior of Naitasiri, Nadroga and Navosa, Ba and Nadi, whole of Vanua Levu, Kadavu, Levuka, Lomaiviti, Lau, Yasawa, and other such communities who are raising their ire over the sudden removal of the local content subtly and in particular Daily Fiji One News usually aired on channel 1, from Sky TV.
Subscribers in Taveuni, for example, included the likes of Mr. Frank Mitchell were the many aggrieved parties up in arms on the removal of the Daily news from Sky TV.

“This decision also smacks of a conflict of interest, the AG’s brother runs FBC TV and FBC TV stands to gain in terms of followers and sponsors now that Sky TV is totally restricted from airing any local content from Sky TV.

The decision by Digicel Fiji in quietly accepting the condition imposed by AG is also questionable. It questions the business model and principles they have adopted. It indicates that Government has sacrificed the right of the people to watch television on already existing platforms at the expense of increasing the revenue of FBCL.” He said.

Ratu Naiqama called this latest change as quite absurd and smacking of a lack of transparency and accountability by Government to the people which required investigations by FICAC. 
 
“They have omitted to discuss with the thousands of sky Pacific dish owners especially those in the outer islands and interior of the mainland, who bought those dishes to ensure they had access to Fiji TV programmes that would entertain them whilst they are in these remote areas,” He said.
 
Such business decision without user consultation is detrimental to viewers even though its market segment is low. It simply means Sky TV viewers are restricted to freedom of information and freedom of choice potentially leading to uninformed viewers. 
  
Ratu Naiqama stated that what this changes literally means is that in order to view Fiji One news, or programmes like the popular Shortland Street and the parliamentary programmes, people will have to purchase new antennas which not only costs a lot of money, but is not easily accessible to those in the outer islands and interior of the mainlands as they have to travel again to Suva to purchase these antennas.

Ratu Naiqama stated that it was the reachability of the Fiji TV signals around Fiji in the beginning that led most to change to Sky Pacific and use its platform, as well.

Ratu Naiqama stated that he hoped all Fiji TV's 12 transmitter towers that deliver terrestrial signal around Fiji are working fine, more so when HK 7s is coming up next week.

He stated that he has been reliable educated that with this change, viewers that cannot receive a terrestrial signal due to the absence of a terrestrial tower near their area (eg- Rotuma, upper Yasawa, Savusavu, Kadavu (excl Tavuki), Ra & many other parts of Fiji will no longer be able to view the Fiji One channel (and any local programs that is aired on Fiji One) unless these required towers are in place.

“Let's hope that all Fiji TV's 12 transmitter towers that deliver terrestrial signal around Fiji are working fine, more so when HK 7s is coming up next week,” he said.

Ratu Naiqama meanwhile also cautioned that Government is now staring at possible catastrophe should they not review their stand on the issue as fellow Fijians that cannot receive a terrestrial signal to allow them access to Fiji One will not know when a natural disaster hits until it passes through their villages.

Ratu Naiqama has hit out at the Consumer Council of Fiji and the Commerce Commission in their roles. He said it looked like these institutions including Government, were selective in their operations and were there to promote only their biased interests, and this could shortly lead to the reverting of Fiji and its people back to the dark ages.

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5 Comments
James
7/4/2016 12:26:27 pm

Why Premilla Kumar the regime appointed CEO is keeping quite on this issue when it affects the consumers. She is an opportunist like the husband Jay Kumar and a woman with no principles in life.
She jumps on all pity issues. Why she is keeping quite?

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Tuma
7/4/2016 10:22:24 pm

Yes the case with Fiji TV and Sky Pacific is really a very sad (and Corrupt some may say) story. Once FHL bought out YHL shares and become majority SH, the FF Govt finally got its hands on Fiji TV and we all know what has transpired. Digicel does not have any obligation to the Fijian people so would not be too bothered about the affect of its decision to purchase Sky Pacific and the impact to its customers losing Fiji One and other local content. After the hard work of the Fiji TV staff,past and present, millions spent to build a viable business with Sky Pacific at its core, the FF Govt through FHL and its CEO have thrown it all away for a mere $5M and now Fiji TV is back again to when they first started operations. With FF Govt backing and funding FBCL/FBCTV, where does that leave Fiji TV and its staff?

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Wayne
10/4/2016 11:51:09 pm

There is a need for more scientific/intelligent content on TV. There is waaaay too much crap and it doesn't help that it is what most viewers want to watch.

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Welcome Home
11/4/2016 06:13:53 am

It is inconceivable that any television or radio station or any print media source could be restricted from use of local news reporting and dissemination while the plight of violence and sexual abuse of Fijian women and children is endemic and so widespread. Domestic violence is a national emergency just as fundamental a threat as any natural disaster or imposed political instability. It is tantamount to a plague and has been present unaddressed in Fiji for decades. Its toxicity is a daily drain on the energy and well being of every family affected and the detrimental cost to GDP would be impossible to accurately determine. It deserves much more than a passing "cringe". A complete overhaul of mindset is required and the Crimes Decree must be applied with rigour and the approval of Members of Parliament without any further delay.

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Fiji First Party
13/4/2016 09:59:16 am

Right Baath! You are very True –the Crimes Decree should be applied to lock up its creators (Bai/Kai) - the biggest criminals Fiji has ever seen and now posing as the Lord of Justice and without knowing the head or tail of Justice and criminally ignoring [in breach of trust and duty of care as the Minister of Justice] the sorry, desperate plight of our women and children in Fiji (suffering domestic violence in their own homes) only because their plight would be a profitless venture in the mind of this Minister also of Paisa and his equally greedy puppet PM Bai.

Both also being this world’s most pitiable IP thieves (CHORS) ever.

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