Taimi Media Network stops broadcasting with TBC [1]
Friday, May 21, 2010 - 17:27. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
THE TAIMI Media Network, operator of the Television Tonga 2 Channel ceased broadcasting on May 7.
The network had been broadcasting during the evenings on a monthly leased basis during the past 18 months
Kalafi Moala, owner of the Taimi Media Network, said that the Tonga Broadcasting Commission suddenly stopped his television service on May 7 after he had refused to pay his lease payment for the previous two months, "because the services they provided were very poor and bad.
"I was not disputing the lease, but I was seeking an opportunity to meet with the TBC board to voice my grievances that I was not prepared to pay for something where no service was provided. I wanted some sort of adjustment because I was loosing money from the poor service they offered."
Kalafi gave an example of the poor services of TBC was when some of his programs "would suddenly be pulled off the air because it was either too political or that it was one sided and needed Government's view, which in the end cost me some of my sponsorships and money, and leasing airtime is very expensive.
"This is the worst nature of a government-owned media trying to control the media."
TMN TV2 had been broadcasting daily from 5:30pm to 11:30pm.
Kalafi said he was ready to take the TBC to court and let the law sort out their disputes, "but then TBC Board agreed for a meeting last weekend, seeking for the matter to be settled outside.
"If nothing happens I am still prepared to take them to court," said Kalafi.
In the meantime, Kalafi said now they would start airing their programs on DigiTelevision on May 31.
The Acting Manager of TBC, Nanise Fitita was reluctant to comment on the issue, and said that, "this issue remains an internal matter". She confirmed that they were still negotiating with the Taimi Media Network for a settlement and also that the Television Tonga 2 Channel, which was leased by TMN, is now back to Television Tonga programs.