Transcript
NANISE FIFITA: It will have a lot of impact positively [on] the operation of both Radio and Television Tonga of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission. It was a request that we made to the government of Tonga for some assistance because we have some equipment issues here that we need to replace some and also source for the spare parts, especially in our AM transmitter, the medium-wave transmitter, for the only radio AM here in Tonga that can cover all of the Tonga group. So that is one of the major projects that will be funded under this 200,000 pa'anga equity that government has just approved for TBC. Of course we have other equipment to be purchased like a TV analogue transmitter as well and other small technical equipment that we really, really need in order for us to operate and to be heard throughout Tonga and to be watched by the people, especially in Tongatapu and 'Eua on Television Tonga.
KORO VAKA'UTA: It's a timely announcement it seems given the climate that is going around the region in terms of broadcasting. You well know the ABC pull out of the short-wave service in the region so I guess this shows it is even more important for TBC to be heard around the kingdom.
NF: That's quite true indeed because we rely to some extent on the medium wave operation of Radio Australia, especially in times of cyclones but good thing that RNZI, Radio New Zealand International, annually provides such coverage that we may be able to fall back on if Radio Tonga One goes off air due to some technical problem during times of natural disasters. So that is quite true and the new equipment will really help with our transmitter for the AM station and that is Radio Tonga One.
KV: I think in the past, in recent history anyway, some may describe it as an interesting or a frosty relationship with the government but I guess this shows that maybe that has thawed?
NF: It is no big deal. There has been some misreporting on our relationship with the government, especially the current government, and that is something besides the operation of TBC. You know very well we operate a news service and we have guidelines, especially ethically and also the principles of impartiality and also the rights of the people to know. Of course we have to cover both sides. Sometimes this causes friction between leaders and the TBC but it's nothing to stop TBC or the government from us helping each other.
The head of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission, Nanise Fifita.
