One of these new eight-channel television stations will specifically be for educational purposes so that every child around Fiji can watch the very same programme at the same time and learn all the things that are being taught, together.”

The Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum revealed this  when he officially launched the new Walesi TV, in Nadi yesterday.

He said additional help from the educational programmes would help students in a huge way.

“This means greater accessibility for schools in the remote areas. We want to launch educational programmes because as we said before there is a deterioration of the English language in Fiji,” Mr Sayed Khaiyum said.

“So we want a student who may be in a remote school in Yasawa or up in Lau or up in the interior of Bukuya to be able to access these educational facilities and programmes just as a student attending school in Nadi.

“The idea is to provide what we call an equalizing effect in our society and that is very important to all ordinary Fijian.”

Earlier in the morning, the Attorney-General was in two homes at Nakorokula Village in Momi where he switched on the new Walesi TV for the two families.

“Free to air television will now be available to Fiji irrespective of where you live.”

“Access to information is very important and indeed very powerful. Everybody in Fiji needs to be able to access news, needs to be able to access information, needs to of course access entertainment too.

“With this number of channels that will now be made available and in particular the Public Service Broadcast arrangement we have with FBC, we will be able to run educational programmes. Programmes on agriculture.”

“We have people living in deep, rural Viti Levu, down in South of Lau, up in Cikobia, in Rotuma, in northern Yasawa’s who had to subscribe to get television before. This is now going to be a thing of the past with this new free to air television.”

The eight channels include a religious channel, an educational channel, three belong to FBC TV, two with Fiji TV and one with Mai TV.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum also announced the special deal the Government was providing for those earning incomes from $30,000 and below.

“If you fall in this range, you can take your electricity bill and go to any of the outlets that are offering these services of providing the set-top boxes and once they confirm your details, you can take one home for free.”

“We want to make it available for everyone in Fiji.” 

Edited by Percy Kean

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