People who livestream sporting events for commercial gain will have to get a licence - AG

Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has today tabled the Television Amendment Bill which requires people who livestream sporting events online for commercial gain to get a licence.

While tabling the bill in parliament, Sayed-Khaiyum says the Television Act goes back to 1992 when Fiji One started and technology has changed significantly since then.

He says livestreaming is fine if a person is doing it for another person to watch a rugby match but is not doing it for commercial gain.

Sayed-Khaiyum FRU does not lose any revenue and the person is not getting any revenue from it.

According to the bill, no person may broadcast through online streaming a live sports event for commercial gain if they do not have a licence. The terms and conditions are to be determined by the Minister responsible for television.

The bill states that in granting a license the Minister may require the licensee to pay a premium for the issue of the licence or an annual fee, rent or royalty as the Minister may determine.

Any person who livestreams a sports event without a licence for commercial gain is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both.

Sayed-Khaiyum said the bill should be considered by parliament without delay, it must not be referred to the standing committee or other committee of parliament and the bill must be debated and voted upon by parliament this Thursday.

1 hour will be given to debate on the bill.

SODELPA MP, Mosese Bulitavu objected to the way the Television Amendment Bill is being brought in as he says public consultation should take place on this.

He says the Parliamentary Committee can then hear from the public and the operators, and then bring a report back to parliament.

SODELPA MP, Viliame Gavoka says it is sickening that important bills are being taken through and passed after just 1 hour of debate.

In response, Sayed-Khaiyum says the opposition members are commenting on bills that was already agreed to be debated on Thursday.

He says the bill is in simple English.