Honourable Speaker Sir, I thank the Honourable Member for the question as it allows me to update the House on the
Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) Grant.
Background (Prior to FY 2023-2024)
In accordance with the previous PSB contracts, a sum of FJ$6,677,400.00 VEP per year was paid to the FBC as fees for
producing PSB radio programs and operating and maintaining 2 PSB radio stations including the AM services.
The FBC was also paid a fee of $4,600,000.00 VEP to produce, procure and broadcast an extensive range of PSB TV programs and for the operation of a brand new non-commercial PSB TV channel, FBC
In return for the above specified amounts (a total of FJ$11,277,400 VEP annually), FBC produces local radio and TV programs with the intention to inform and educate the Fijian public.
In essence the fee under the PSB contract is paid to the FBC for the production, broadcast and transmission of specific local
radio and TV programs that are of benefit for all the people of Fiji.
Update – August 2023 onwards
Honourable Speaker, after considerable deliberation and assessment, the new FBCL Board (appointed on 11th January 2023) in
consultation with the Ministry of Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics proposed for a 44% reduction
in PSB fees Radio and Television.
The new/reduced contract came into effect from August 2023. The new allocation for the Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) Grant is a total for $7,206,407 for a term of 3 years (1 August 2023 to 31 July 2026):
1. PSB (TV) – $2,599,001 VIP; and
2. PSB Radio – $4,607,406 VIP
Total $7,206,407 VIP
The main objective of this decision was to reduce FBC’s reliance on the PSB fees and to build a self-sustaining business as the country’s national broadcaster.
This has been done without any disruption to the current operations of the organisation and its people, that are now working hard to become more self-sustaining and to operate as a commercially driven organization.
Additional Allocation for PSB 2024-2025 FY
Honourable Speaker, it is important that I highlight the additional allocation that Government has made for the 2024-2025
FY for public service broadcast (TV and Radio).
An additional $3.1 million has been allocated under the Ministry of Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development
and Statistics as grant to other media organisations.
In the past, Government exclusively engaged FBC to provide public service broadcasting for radio and TV.
To ensure fairness and a level playing field in the media industry, Government intends to engage other service providers to ensure
a wider reach on issues of public interest and fair competition in the media industry.
I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.