COOK ISLANDS: Cook Islands to get government-run radio

The Cook Islands has approved a new publicly funded radio station

Pacific Media Watch
Wednesday, September 1, 2004

AVARUA, Rarotonga (RNZI Online/Pacific Media Watch): The Cook Islands has approved a new publicly funded radio station.

The deputy chair of the Cook Island Broadcasting Corporation has confirmed reports that the cabinet has approved the project.

Flo Syme-Buchanan says a grant of US33,000 is funding the start of the operation, which has been in the pipeline for a month.

At present, both Cook Islands radio and television are privately owned by the Pitt Media group.

Ms Syme-Buchanan says the new station will provide a service which the market would not have if left to itself:

"What we will be doing, the public broadcaster will be doing, thatıs not currently provided by either commercial station. Itıll provide educational programmes thatıll be geared to the outer islands, cultural programmes; a whole diverse range of programmes - eventually - once you know, stage three is completed, to the Cook Islands people."

Flo Syme-Buchanan says the station will provide a warning service to the outer islands during the cyclone season.

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Date Posted: 9/1/2004