Vanuatu's prime minister says the country's public broadcaster needs an additional 4.5 million US dollars in order to meet the government's 100 day plan for full coverage of the country.
radio mic Photo: RNZ
Some members of parliament have complained that Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation's broadcasts were not clear in their islands.
The prime minister Charlot Salwai said MPs must take time to visit the Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation to see the many changes under its new management.
Pam destroyed much of Vanuatu's broadcasting infrastructure Photo: RNZ
The Vanuatu Daily Post reported that MPs have blamed poor standards on political interference in the board.
Independent broadcasting regulator to be established
Vanuatu Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ralph Regenvanu, said separating the regulatory functions from the Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation, or VBTC, would advance media freedom.
Mr Regenvanu was talking in support of a bill promoted by Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, who is also responsible for telecommunications.
Big Sista, a 33m passenger vessel, has arrived on its weekly run from Luganville Santo to the harbour in front of the main market of Port Vila - Efate Island, Vanuatu, 21 September 2012 Photo: 123RF
The bill aims to remove the broadcasting regulatory functions from the VBTC and instead have them handled by a Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulator.
Mr Regenvanu said the bill would see more broadcast media being licensed because the regulator would no longer have conflicts of interest.
He said in the past the VBTC had stopped other radio outlets from starting up in order to protect its own market.
