A Service Not Motivated By Dollars
AVARUA, Rarotonga (CIBC/Pacific Media Watch): An essential public service, not a business. That¹s what the proposed
state broadcasting station will operate as, confirmed Cook Islands Broadcasting Corporation (CIBC) chairman Andrew
Turua.
Turua says the public broadcaster will not be in competition with privately owned radio stations as it won¹t be seeking
advertising dollars.
"The whole essence of the proposed national station is that it will be providing a credible and diverse information
service to the Cook Islands and it will not be motivated by advertising dollars.
"Advances in technology, sensible management and efficient use of resources all contribute to reducing operational
costs. The idea is to streamline the operation of the radio station so that its outputs far outweigh its operational
costs.
"There are absolutely no plans to become a commercial station," stated Turua.
Being planned for broadcast are educational programmes for communities and schools, health programmes, children¹s
stories, music and cultural programmes, talk-radio, weather bulletins, shipping and aviation, business news, current
affairs, hourly international news, national news and regional magazine programmes.
Turua says it will be a truly national station in which all Cook Islanders will be shareholders and the driving force
behind it is giving the whole of the Cook Islands a service that people deserve and are entitled to.
Comments made by CIP Opposition leader Sir Geoffrey Henry in response to a report he was provided with have been
welcomed by the board, says Turua.
"We¹re pleased that the Cook Islands Party is placing enough importance to make public comment on a concerted move to
improve media standards, provide the Cook Islands especially the northern islands with quality informative and
educational radio and bring our country on a par with developed nations in terms of media legislation."
Turua says Sir Geoffrey has made numerous positive comments about the CINBC report, but was incorrect in stating that
the national radio station would be in direct competition with privately owned broadcasters.
Turua says it is easy to criticize the establishment of a state-broadcaster from the comfort of an armchair in
Rarotonga.
"Politicians opposed to a state-owned broadcaster must remember that someone in Pukapuka does not have the privilege of
picking up a newspaper, listening to international or national news or linking up to the internet to find out for
instance, the weather before going out fishing, shipping and aviation, let alone what is happening in the world."
"And what about our people in the outer islands, particularly in the northern group during cyclone season?
"They too are entitled to ample forewarning that bad weather is on the way so they can prepare themselves sadly, we all
know the consequences when our people aren¹t given enough warning, it cost 20 lives in 1997 and we must take all steps
necessary to ensure this never happens again."
According to Turua, providing such an essential and diverse broadcasting service to the entire Cook Islands can¹t be
labelled "regressive and unacceptable" as has been done by Sir Geoffrey.
"It would be unacceptable if we did not make sure all the islands have a quality radio service, one that informs,
educates, entertains and has a signal that can be received by all. Surely, providing that kind of service can¹t be
described as regressive."
Turua also pointed out that complaints by Sir Geoffrey that the broadcasting policy had not been discussed with CIP were
unfounded, as the CIBC board had attempted to meet with the Opposition leader for sometime without success.
"That¹s why the report was prepared for Sir Geoffrey, as a matter of transparency, accountability and of course,
courtesy. We also remind Sir Geoffrey that there are two Cook Islands Party representatives on the CINBC Board, MPs
Wilkie Rasmussen and Albert Nicholas."
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