Samoa's prime minister has scotched plans for a new government owned television station.
The Samoa Observer reports that Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi is wary of the heavy set-up costs and the ongoing expense imposed by the television regulator.
Samoan PM, Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi Photo: RNZ Pacific /Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
The regulator Samoa Digital Company Limited (SDCL) is at loggerheads with Samoa's seven existing stations over its tariff for the new digital platform which the country is migrating to.
It is charging each channel $US13,400 per month compared with the monthly $5600 previously touted as acceptable by Tuila'epa.
Tuila'epa questioned whether any stations would use the service if the cost was prohibitive to do so.
He said, if not the regulator would go broke.
Earlier this week, the seven stations released a joint statement saying the high costs were unsustainable and would force their closure.
Video camera in TV studio Photo: 123RF
SDCL has given Samoa's television channels until this Friday to pay their fees for the new digital platform or risk losing their broadcast licenses.
The stand-off between the parties is expected to come to a head later this week when owner SDCL's owner, businessman Tuia'opo Andrew Ah Liki, returns from overseas.
