29 Mar 2004

Fiji broadcaster plays down Hindi contract dispute

4:18 pm on 29 March 2004

The private broadcaster, Communications Fiji Limited, says court action being taken against it by the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation is not directed at its new Hindi-language radio station.

Its General Manager, Ian Jackson, says they respect that the High Court has issued a stay order on the 450,000 US dollar government contract for Hindi language public service broadcasting.

The contract is being challenged by the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation.

But Mr Jackson says Communications Fiji Limited is now launching a new station, called Sargam.

"They are a separate issue. Fiji Broadcasting have sought a judicial review on the granting of Hindi public service contract to us. That is what's being disputed. What we're doing is opening another Hindi radio station which has nothing to do with the government contract. I mean, its our radio station under our normal radio license."

Ian Jackson says new Hindi radio station is set to go to air on Wednesday.