2 July 2004

BBC MAKES PROGRAMMES WITH RADIO STATIONS IN THE PACIFIC

The role that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) could play in the development of Pacific island countries is explored in a new series of radio programmes produced by the BBC World Service Trust in conjunction with broadcasters in the region and sponsored by UNESCO and UNDP Fiji.

BBC producers David Prosser and Phil Mercer worked with local reporters Mika Loga from the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited, Tosi Tupua from Samoa Broadcasting Corporation and Roland Ko’ofuli from Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation to make a series of six 15-minute programmes entitled ‘Digital Pacific’.

The project, which involved capacity-building and training, is the first undertaken in the region by the BBC World Service Trust. The programmes will be made available to radio stations in the region and the material will also air on ‘Go Digital’, the BBC World Service’s technology programme from 5 July.

“New cable and satellite links coupled with the uptake of Internet and email makes this a fascinating moment in the Pacific’s development,” says producer David Prosser. “As one contributor in Samoa told us ‘ICT will reduce the barriers of distance for us’. But as well as the benefits, exposure to the world wide web can produce profound challenges for a society, its people and the way it does business… all of which we explore in the programmes”.

Francis Herman, the CEO of Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited said: “This project is yet again another example of how a small Pacific Island network like Radio Fiji can work in cooperation with international broadcasters to produce programmes that contribute to the national development of the Pacific. More importantly however, this cooperation opens doors to potential development stories that exist in our island communities.” In Fiji the programmes will be broadcast weekly from 11 July.

Johnson Honimae, the General Manager of Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation said: "The programmes will be very useful because it will tell our own listeners and the rest of the world about the policies and practical difficulties encountered by ordinary people as they try to communicate every day in Solomon Islands. Communication is a very important aspect of life for Solomon Islanders as they are scattered over thousands of kilometres of ocean. Furthermore the production of the programmes has given at least one member of our production staff to work alongside an experienced programme producer from the BBC, a privilege that doesn't come our way that too often"

The series examines the role of ICTs in meeting the UN’s Millennium Development Goals and was made as part of a project entitled ‘Canoe to Computer’ with the financial assistance of the United Nations Development Programme.

“This is an important time for Governments in the Pacific, as they develop their national ICT policies,” says Edo Stork, UNDP’s Thematic Analyst – ICT for Development. “They know that ICTs’ role can both be seen as a stimulator for economic growth and jobs but also, more importantly, as a powerful tool to improve the lives of Pacific people, hold Governments to account, and warn of impending natural disasters such as, for example, cyclones. UNDP is supporting the process of developing effective ICT strategies with clear connections to the Millennium Development Goals through its e-Pacifika project and these radio programmes will, we hope, help to create an informed debate.”



Notes to Editors:
1. For transmission times please contact the broadcasters:
Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited Tel: (679) 331 4333
Samoa Broadcasting Corporation Tel: (685) 26641
Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation Tel: (677) 20051

2. Other radio stations wishing to obtain a copy of the programmes for broadcast should contact david.prosser@bbc.co.uk

3. You can listen to Go Digital and view the webcast at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/1478157.stm

4. The BBC World Service Trust is an independent charity within the BBC promoting health, education and social development through the innovative use of the media. The Trust has produced a series of ground-breaking and thought-provoking projects in many of the world’s poorest countries, developing the capacity of local and national media, building civil society, providing training in media skills and developing health and educational campaigns. Further information can be found at bbcworldservice.com/trust

Note: the files are played in Internet Explorer’s built in media player. Some browsers will ask you to save to disk before playing or choosing a player to play the audio on demand.

Playlist files:

1. Fiji1 (14:33)
2. Fiji2 (14:38)
3. Digital Pacific Fiji Teaser (0:34)
4. Samoa1 (14:50)
5. Samoa2 (14:38)
6. Samoa Teaser (0:38)
7. Solomon Islands1 (14:24)
8. Solomon Islands2 (14:21)
9. Solomon Islands Teaser (0:41)