FIJI: Fiji commercial broadcaster to ignore court stay on Hindi broadcasts

Commercial broadcaster Communications Fiji Ltd will start a new Hindi language radio station next week despite a Fiji High Court stay order

Pacific Media Watch
Saturday, March 27, 2004

SUVA (RNZI Online/Pacific Media Watch): Commercial broadcaster Communications Fiji Ltd will start a new Hindi language radio station next week despite a Fiji High Court stay order.

The Fiji government awarded Communications Fiji a contract for Hindi language public service broadcasting worth US$450,000 last December.

But this has been challenged by the current contract holder, the state-owned Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBCL).

The High Court has issued a stay order on the new Hindi service until the case is heard.

But Fiji TV reports that Communications Fiji Ltdıs new Hindi network will go to air on March 31.

CFL's general manager, Ian Jackson, says the planning has been going on for several years and has nothing to do with the tender.

The FBCL's lawyer, Richard Naidu, says the new station would be in contempt of court and his client would seek legal redress.

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Date Posted: 3/27/2004