We are running a business, says Sitiveni Halofaki.

Mr Halofaki is now more than two weeks into his new job at the helm of Fiji Television Ltd, not as a producer but as general manager.

“If you have the money just to change the direction of the business overnight you would change it,” he says.

“But with the current challenges that we have in business now, it won’t probably be an overnight change.”

“But I believe that we can make major changes.”

Mr Halofaki stresses Fiji TV is focusing on its core business, which is quality compelling television content.

He adds: “Also focus on retaining the best people for the job. This is a challenge for all media businesses now but we need quality staff who are strategically aligned to the company.”

Fiji TV was once the undisputed leading television broadcaster in the region. But Mr Halofaki takes over at a time when its size and influence has declined and state broadcaster FBC TV is aggressive and well resourced.

Mr Halofaki brings strong credentials, He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Television Production from Charles Sturt University in New South Wales, Australia and a Diploma in Business Management from the Royal Business College in Auckland, New Zealand.

He was previously a Fiji Broadcasting Corporation veteran finishing as manager programmes and then acting CEO July-December 2007 before the return from New Zealand of current CEO Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

He joined Fiji Television as manager Production before leaving to take up a Communications Officer role, based Honiara, Solomon Islands.

He recalls his past Fiji TV days: “For me it was about trying to move the boundaries further in terms of local programming and, I think, with a team that I had in 2008, I’m still proud of our achievements.

“We managed to revamp some of the current local shows that we had then like IQ active, which was the educational national along with Spellwell competition.”

“SpellWell was a competition for students and we also were able to rope in secondary schools from Pacific Islands from Tonga and Samoa, as well as a Pacific version of IQ active.”

Mr Halofaki’s signature local programme was Sigidrigi which is still currently showing on Fiji TV but would also undergo a big revamp

The big question everyone is asking, Why did Mr Halofaki choose to come back to Fiji TV?

“I don’t know whether we are all the same, but for me, I think I’m at the peak of my profession or what in my career.”

“I started in radio when I was just 17-years-old, straight out of high school in 1989 walked right into Fiji Broadcasting Corporation.”

“Broadcasting is in my blood.”

“We were fortunate then when veteran broadcasters like Nau Soko, Wame Waqanisanini and Yaminiasi Gaunavou. They used to listen to us on air and give us tips on how to better improve ourselves.”

“It’s the instant learning that we received those times I think that they are not receiving now in terms of the major broadcasters that we have now.”

When he watches and listens to the news now, he says he feels bad because the standards quality and the norms have dropped.”

“I think that is the key for me coming back to Fiji Television.”

“If I can help out with the current host, the current producers standards, in terms of presentation in terms of how you present news, or in terms of programming how you put together a programme.”

So what would Mr Halofaki like to see as his legacy.? All that. Plus making money for the shareholders and to do more and better programming. To build the business.

Feedback: maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj