The Fijian Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) received praise for its advancements in financial management and digital transformation, particularly highlighted during a contentious parliamentary session regarding its annual reports from 2018 to 2023. Despite a significant 44 percent cut in Public Service Broadcasting funding, FBC managed to report a net profit of $555,000 for the financial year 2024. This achievement marks a substantial reduction in the corporation’s dependency on government funding, decreasing from 42.6 percent in 2018 to 39.4 percent in 2024.
Assistant Minister for Information Sachida Nand emphasized FBC’s modernization efforts, which include digital enhancements like a new outside broadcasting system and a $3.8 million disaster resilience initiative funded by the Korean government. He indicated that these technology upgrades are incorporated into the corporation’s strategic planning framework and will be further elaborated in future annual reports to improve transparency.
The parliamentary debate featured former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Biman Prasad, who defended FBC’s recent progress against claims from the opposition. He pointed out that the reports being debated primarily reflect the years when the opposition was in power, thus challenging their criticism of FBC’s financial integrity and accountability. Prasad underscored the current media environment, where journalists can operate freely, contributing to FBC’s growth and broader media landscape in Fiji. He noted the equitable distribution of advertising among all media outlets under the coalition government, which promotes fairness and competition across the country’s media sector.
This recognition of FBC’s resilience and strategic advancements showcases a hopeful progression in Fiji’s media industry as it adapts to changes while ensuring accountability and transparency in its operations. The ongoing improvements signal a bright future for FBC and the fostering of a diverse and competitive media landscape in Fiji.