Fijian Media Information
Fiji is served by two daily English-language newspapers - the Fiji Times , founded in 1869, and the Daily Post , just a few years old. The Fiji Times group also publishes a weekly Fijian paper, Nai Lalakai ; and Shanti Dut , a weekly Hindustani publication. The Fiji Times is the more conservative of the two, usually echoing government opinion, while the Daily Post is often the rebel voice (but less cautious with verification of facts). It is a widespread feeling that truth frequently lies somewhere between the two.
If you require a major overseas newspaper, the Suva Travelodge sells the Sydney Morning Herald only a few days late, and very expensive.
A bimonthly publication Fiji Magic is free of charge in many hotels, shops and travel agencies. It is commercial in nature, but includes quite a bit of valuable information for the traveller, including events, tours, accommodation, restaurants, cruises, shopping guides and miscellaneous information. Fiji Magic is published by George Rubine Ltd.
Another publication to come out of Fiji is Islands Business News , a monthly South Pacific-oriented news and business journal. This magazine would be of interest to business people as well as visitors who wish to understand what's going in this region.
Other magazines such as Pacific Islands Monthly (PIM) and Pacific are also available. PIM , published in Sydney, is an excellent regional publication and a venerable institution in the Pacific, oriented mostly toward the old British colonies. Pacific , (formerly New Pacific) , published in Honolulu, is a younger upstart that also covers the Pacific basin, but has better reportage of former US trust territories and current dependencies than its rival. The old stand-by, the Pacific edition of Time , is sold here, as is a hybrid which combines Newsweek and Australia's Bulletin .
Radio
The government-owned Fiji Broadcasting Commission (FBC) operates three national networks of AM transmitters: Radio Fiji 1 (which broadcasts in Fijian), Radio Fiji 2 (in Hindi), and Radio Fiji 3 (in English). Radio Fiji 3 also broadcasts on FM. Programming includes US, Fijian and Indian pop music, sports, locally produced news, international news from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Voice of America and the BBC, British soap operas and panel shows, as well as locally produced educational and quiz shows.
In 1985 a privately owned radio station, FM 96, opened up the airwaves for the first time to a non-government enterprise. FM 96, which broadcasts in the Suva and Nadi areas, is modelled after a US or Australian pop music station. It provides entertaining listening, playing a variety of rock, R&B and, occasionally, Fijian or Indian tunes. It also broadcasts sports, news and the occasional interview.
TV
In late 1991, the government allowed an experimental TV broadcast of a sports event. It proved so overwhelmingly popular that 'temporary' was extended until regulations and a permanent operation - Fiji One - could be established. At the time of this writing, the project is in infancy and will probably undergo numerous changes.
For the past few years the nation has been swept by a video craze. On practically every corner there is a video-tape rental shop and nowadays it is a common sight to see Fijians of all ages huddled before a colour TV, watching a C-grade Hollywood movie or a pirated television show from the USA or Australia, often an umpteenth-generation copy which is virtually unwatchable by my standards. In general, Fijians seem to be winding up with the poorest, most socially unredeeming videos that Hollywood has to offer. Hopefully, the government's new TV project will continue to bring quality television to the people of urban Fiji, who have eagerly seized the opportunity to become TV junkies.
FILM & PHOTOGRAPHY
No self-respecting traveller or journalist comes to Fiji without a camera. Should you need them, film and photographic accessories are readily available in Suva and, thanks to duty-free prices, are probably the most inexpensive in the South Pacific.
There are several labs where a same-day service is available for colour prints - Caines Photofast Services, on the corner of Victoria Parade and Pratt St; Fiji Color Lab at 40 Cumming St; and Brijlal's Photo Service at Vanua House, Victoria Parade. Expect to pay about F$25 to develop and print a roll of film with 36 exposures. Film is about F$10 to F$12 per roll of 36.
Keep in mind that daylight is much more intense in the tropics, so if in doubt when shooting film, underexpose. That is, if you really want that photo, shoot according to what your normal meter reading dictates and then shoot one third to one full stop under. For best light conditions it's also a good idea to take photos at dawn or dusk - the midday sun is usually too harsh.
Always keep film dry and cool, and upon your return have your camera cleaned if exposed excessively to the elements - the humidity and salt air can ruin sensitive photo equipment in no time. If your travel plans are likely to take you through customs at airports frequently, it's advisable to buy a laminated lead pouch for film, available in any photo shop. If you're planning an extended visit, be aware that a vicious tropical fungus grows on the coatings of lenses, ruining them. This will not be a problem if your stay is only a few weeks; but for longer visits, protect expensive lenses (including binoculars etc) with silica gel (available from chemist) in an airtight container. The fungus will not continue to grow after you return home to a temperate climate.
When taking photos of locals, smile and ask permission first. People will be happy to let you photograph them 99% of the time, but on other (rare) occasions some folks may not want to be part of your future slide show. (See Photography under Avoiding Offence in the Facts about the Country chapter.)
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