Calls for a fairer share of PSB funding
Mr Simpson said Mai TV received PSB funding for the first time last year through a competitive public tender process and had again been allocated $850,000 this year.
Monday 20 July 2026 | 08:00
Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) funding should be shared more fairly across Fiji’s media industry to ensure more communities and public interest stories are covered, Fijian Media Association General Secretary and Mai TV director Stanley Simpson says.
While he believes the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) should continue receiving the largest share of Government funding, Mr Simpson said other broadcasters also deserved a fairer allocation to strengthen public service journalism.
His comments follow the Government’s allocation of $11 million annually for Public Service Broadcasting.
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Current allocations include FBC ($1.85 million), Fiji Television ($1.2 million), Communication Fiji Ltd ($850,000), The Fiji Times ($375,000), Fiji Sun ($375,000) and Mai TV ($850,000).
Mr Simpson said Mai TV received PSB funding for the first time last year through a competitive public tender process and had again been allocated $850,000 this year.
He said the funding had enabled the station to produce programmes that would not normally be commercially viable, including coverage of rural and maritime communities, women and youth, culture, education, health and minor sports.
“FBC plays a vital role and should continue receiving the largest share of PSB funding, but the remaining funds should be distributed more fairly among other broadcasters.”
Mr Simpson said the purpose of Public Service Broadcasting was to ensure important stories were told, particularly those from communities that were often overlooked because they were expensive to cover.
“Public funding should never mean government control. It should mean better access to trusted information and a stronger public service for all Fijians.”
He said a fairer funding model would encourage competition, increase the production of quality local content and ensure more voices from across Fiji were represented.
“A stronger and more balanced PSB system will help preserve our culture, improve access to reliable information and give every community a chance to be heard.”
