- The Opposition hits out at Information Minister Khaiyum for the anti competition, Television (Cross –Carriage of Designated Events) Decree. This is KHAIYUM vs. the FANS Leader of the Opposition Parliament House SUVA STATEMENT [No 21/11/2014] Government unable to respond to Opposition urgent motion on Dubai Sevens Opposition Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa said today that none of the 30 Government members were able to respond to the urgent question filed with the Secretary General’s office in accordance with Standing Orders by Hon Mosese Bulitavu regarding the live coverage of the Dubai 7’s. The Prime Minister is watching the sevens live in Dubai and the Minister for Finance and Information was absent from Parliament today and the Speaker was also absent. None of the other 30 government members were able to respond on behalf of Information Minister Khaiyum. The Opposition maintains that this debacle was always going to happen, as International Sporting bodies such as World Rugby become aware of the Attorney General’s anti competition, Television (Cross –Carriage of Designated Events) Decree, it was just a matter of time. Ro Teimumu Kepa said that from copies of correspondence received it is evident that Information Minister Khaiyum and Prime Minister Bainimarama were both aware of the World Rugby’s views since before October 7th 2014. The Opposition contends that the Television (Cross –Carriage of Designated Events) Decree was introduced to allow FBCTV access world events such as FIFA World Cup and other World events that Mai TV and Fiji TV had secured on an exclusive basis. There have been a number of actions by the Minister of Information that has helped to create this current situation and we are concerned that if this is allowed to continue it will destroy our media industry. These are:- • Conflict of Interest: Information Minister Khiyum’s younger brother is the CEO of FBC & FBCTV and a benefactor of these anti-competitive decrees. • The Minister imposes a 6 monthly license on the longer more established Fiji TV while FBC TV gets a 14 year license • The planned move to digital signal is a plan to force other TV operators to buy from FBC to maximize control. • The FBC receives $2.9 million per annum for Public Broadcast TV and Radio and uses this to subsidize its charges for services that allow them to undercut their competitors. • MaiTV have been continually denied improved frequencies to allow them to expand operations but they have been denied this • This decree forces other TV operators are forced to take International events they don’t want and to pay for part of the costs The Opposition has come into possession of more information about the Media Industry that is of concern and these concerns will be made public soon. The Opposition is very concerned about this issue as it has broader implications not only for our Media Industry which is already under stress, but it also affects our sporting public. Authorized By: Ro Teimumu Kepa Leader of the Opposition
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 06:30:21 +0000
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