Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj has criticized the government for allegedly using public service broadcasting (PSB) grants as a political tool, rather than upholding their promises of transparency in media funding management. Speaking in Parliament, Mr. Maharaj claimed that the government and the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) management have been inconsistent in their approach to PSB funding. He argued that when the current administration was in opposition, they advocated for PSB funding to be treated as a non-revenue grant, rather than a commercial fee, to reflect the company’s true financial state.
However, Mr. Maharaj stated that the latest financial report of the FBC shows that the funding is still being treated as income, despite the government’s reduction in PSB funding. He accused the government of using this accounting classification to gain political mileage, citing the FBC’s reported profit of $555,000 for 2024 as a “milestone achievement” that is misleading. Mr. Maharaj also questioned the distribution of government funding, noting that large, well-established media organizations continue to receive significant funding, while smaller, independent platforms struggle to survive.
He specifically mentioned Duavata News, RonCast, and North FM as examples of independent media outlets that are being left behind. Mr. Maharaj called on the new Minister for Finance to closely scrutinize how taxpayers’ money is being distributed, asking why multi-million-dollar companies are being funded to run government propaganda while new entrepreneurs are being neglected. He argued that this lack of transparency and equity in media funding is a concern that needs to be addressed. Overall, Mr. Maharaj’s criticism highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of PSB grants and the distribution of government funding to media outlets.