Walesi TV will provide an opportunity for people in the remote places of Fiji to hear first hand discussions and deliberations that go on in Parliament proceeding, in the news and around Fiji.

And Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says that in this way people don’t have to rely on second and third hand information which sometimes leads to untruths and exaggeration.

“There are a lot of people, through social media, through Facebook, through all of those things, even through word of mouth have been spreading untruths,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

“Too much wrong information is being passed around, but when you watch the Parliamentary proceedings, you know exactly what they said.

“You will hear what the honourable Prime Minister said, what the Opposition said and what the ministers said. Through this channel you will hear straight from them.”

The Attorney-General was speaking to villagers of Korobebe, in the Sabeto highlands yesterday while launching the Walesi Digital TV in a fully packed community hall.

“This is one of the reasons why we are putting this free-to-air television around the country. We want everyone to have access to that information.

“What we’ve done as part of the programme which has required a lot of money is that we have not used government money from the budget.

“What we did a few years ago was that all the incoming international calls to Fiji was being charged one or two cents as a levy.

“That is the money we have used to set up internet in all the schools, what we call telecentres and we’ve used that also for the Walesi programme.”

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum then handed out set-top boxes to those who had registered and declared that their earnings per year were less than $30,000.

Serenia Marama, 56, said this was a blessing for her grandchildren.

“I am so happy that I am able to have one set-top box. These things are so expensive, but today my grandchildren will be able to watch the educational programmes and the news and other programmes.

“They will not miss out now and when they will talk with my grandchildren in Suva they will be able to talk about the same things because they will have watched it here with me in Korobebe.”

“This Government really cares about everyone. If only people can see this and support the Government.”

In Nagado Village, spokesman Semi Natabua thanked the Government and the Attorney- General for investing in their village in the way of Walesi TV.

“I don’t have to sufficiently thank the Government for all that they have done.

“We are so grateful here in Nagado that, despite his busy schedule, the Attorney-General has come all the way up to our highlands to visit us and bring us the Walesi TV,” Mr Natabua said

Walesi TV has eight channels which are free-to-air and both FBC TV and Fiji One TV have a couple while the rest are source-based.

Edited by Percy Kean

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