Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya has defended Public Service Broadcast funding allocations in the 2026/2027 National Budget after Opposition MPs questioned why different media organisations were allocated different amounts.
During the Committee of Supply session on the Ministry of Information's budget estimates, Opposition MP Premila Kumar questioned why The Fiji Times and The Fiji Sun will receive $375,000.
In response, Tabuya says it is the first time the two newspapers will receive PSB funding, as they were not included in the current budget.
She says it is important for the Government to work with all media organisations.
She says television and radio broadcasters received larger allocations because they have a wider reach.
Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj also questioned the $1.85 million allocation to the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation for its television and radio services.
Tabuya says FBC produces content across both platforms and clarified that the funding is not provided right away.
She says the content under PSB must be agreed to.
Opposition MP Hem Chand also questioned why Communications Fiji Limited had been allocated $850,000.
In response, Tabuya says FBC tradtionally has greatest reach while, CFL's core business is not television.
Meanwhile, South Pacific’s largest media organization, Communications Fiji Ltd, which is the parent company of FM96, LegendFM, VitiFM, Navtarang, Radio Sargam and fijivillage has topped the Tebbutt Research 2023 Fiji Media Survey.
