26 Sep 2007

Private Samoan TV station off air for unknown reasons

4:18 pm on 26 September 2007

A privately-owned television station in Samoa, LAUTV, has stopped broadcasting after one year without there being a public announcement or explanation by the station manager.

LAUTV has recently been faced with financial difficulties.

The landlord, Ricky Meredith, says he cannot comment on why the station has gone off air, but says it could be a technical fault.

The station has lost many employees including engineers and news reporters after a row with the chief executive officer, Tuiasau Leota Uelese Petaia, over unpaid National Provident Fund contributions.

LAUTV is linked to the Christian TV and radio, Graceland Broadcasting.