Fiji Broadcasting Corporation’s chief executive officer, Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, believes that the 2014 Pacific Media Partnership Conference will benefit participants.

He said the opportunity to meet regularly was scarce for the region’s media industry and the meeting here helped forge new and strengthened relations.

The conference was held in Fiji for the first time. It was hosted by the Department of Information in conjunction with the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU). The Pacific Media Partnership conference is now the only annual gathering of the Pacific Islands news media.

“It is very important not only for FBC the broadcaster but for the people and government of Fiji because to have such meeting, post – election, bring out the importance of Fiji as the regional hub for anything that is happening among the media organisation,” said Mr Sayed-Khaiyum.

“Everyone stands to benefit from the ideas from the Asia-Pacific region to work on issues to improve broadcasting in general.

“It is good exposure for the staff including the technical staff as this idea started in 2008 and we are very proud to say that FBC was part of it and we pushed as the Pacific needed more voice in the ABU.

“It is a good progression for us as we are one of the oldest members of ABU . The only issue is the cost factor in the Pacific and we have to give our share.”

Oceania National Olympic Committee media development specialist, Matai Akauola, made similar sentiment saying that the convention was a good initiative.

“We can see how technology has been developed, as what ABU is doing and spreading into the Pacific.

“We need to network and see how we can build relationship with stakeholders so that we can tailor our programmes from Oceania.”

ABU secretary-general Dr Javad Mottaghi confirmed that they would be expanding the PMPC membership.

“We have decided to increase our services in Pacific islands as there are many members who are not part of ABU but want to benefit from what is offered,” Dr Mottaghi said.

He also said FBC and FijiTV would co-host the administrative council in May 2016 at the same venue.

The event which concluded last night was hosted by the Department of Information on behalf of the Fijian Government.

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