Page 10 - IB JAN 2017

Cover Story ‘ ’
A seat too hot for television’s good people

n From PAGE 9

Gonelevu’s protection of Fiji TV’s
market position and his refusal to bend
to the whims of the government and his
board were to be his undoing.
From that point on his days were
numbered and after just 13 months he
was gone.
Fiji TV Director, Nouzab Fareed, told
local media there was no government
interference in Gonelevu’s departure.
“ ….. such statements are clearly mali-
cious, emotional, or without any basis.
These statements are a clear indication
of disgruntled employees (Gonelevu and
Manager Content, Tanya Waqaniika),
as a result of the decision taken by Fiji
TV, which is the best interest of the
company,” Fareed said.
By then, few in the industry were con-
vinced that the terminations were any-
thing but a case of removing anyone the
government felt was not toeing its line. Fiji Television’s reach has been downgraded by government’s attempts to give its own station the top viewership spot.
For years the Bainimarama govern- Photo: Fiji TV
ment had issued Fiji TV six-monthly not only to the company which he had vernacular weekly Nai Lalakai.
broadcast licences, designed to keep the served for close to 20 years but also to While Smith refused to apologise and
company in line and make advertising the members of staff – many of whom stood behind his news team, Fareed
and programming contracts extremely were friends more than colleagues. made a very public and humiliating
difficult to acquire. A journalist since his cadetship at The apology, supposedly on behalf of the
At the time board member Iowane Fiji Times in 1994 and an employee of company.After that apology, Smith sig-
Naiveli pointed to the need to remove Fiji TV from 1999, Smith knew he was nalled his intention to quit.
Gonelevu and Waqanikato make nego- about to take a poisoned chalice. Speculation has been rife about his
tiations with the State easier. “I told him to prepare for a rough ride departure with insiders pointing to mid
“Fiji TV’s licence expires at the end of and the journey would not be easy,” a this month as the deadline.
the year and now we can go to Govern- senior journalist recalled of his conver- Already the departing CEO has been
ment and say we have made changes to sation with Smith. courted by television interests in PNG
management and, hopefully, get longer “I’m not surprised that he took the and the Solomon Islands.
term licences,” Naiveli said. job but that’s Geoff – he’s never backed In an interview with local media
“We need Fiji TV to survive. Once the down even in the most trying circum- last month Smith said: “No, I haven’t
company survives, employment of its stances.” resigned. I would resign one day, but
staff survives, so does their salaries. Smith made every attempt to run a not yet.”
“We have been getting a contract to credible company, pushing the Fiji Me- Fijian Holdings – which knows full
broadcast for six months. dia Industry Decree to the limit in terms well about Smith’s intentions – jumped
“We need to dialogue with Govern- of political coverage and withstanding in to offer a statement that as a publicly
ment and get longer term licences.” continued attacks from government. listed company, any announcements
After the dismissals, Fiji TV received But the final straw came when, after a would be made by the South Pacific
12-monthly licences. run-in with the younger Sayed-Khaiyum Stock Exchange.
Under Fareed – a government-backed over racist remarks made by the host of Those who know Smith, however,
board appointee – Fiji TV sold its lucra- a language show on FBCL, the Fiji TV are acutely aware of his dry – even
tive NRL Broadcast rights before selling board refused to support him. wicked - sense of humour and clever
its PNG-based entities and the regional Sayed-Khaiyum demanded an apology use of words.
pay television service. over Fiji TV’s news coverage of demands He may well have said not yet on the
Before Smith took over from Gon- by civil society that he be held account- resignation but the clock is ticking – it
elevu, he consulted widely with media able for the host’s comments. has been ever since Fareed acquiesced
colleagues. The argument was that the situation yet again to government interference
Among his concerns were job security was similar to one in which Fiji Times’ in the company Smith has loved and
and the possible pressure from the gov- Publisher Hank Arts and Editor-in- served so well.
ernment and board. Chief, Fred Wesley, were prosecuted r nrika66@islandsbusiness.com
At the same time he felt a fierce loyalty over the publication of an article in the

10 Islands Business, January 2017