Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Call on Samoan government to retain Radio 2AP

Posted at 03:31 on 18 January, 2008 UTC

The Samoa government has been urged to abandon its plan to sell the public broadcaster’s radio division, known as Radio 2AP.

The call comes from independent MP, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, who says the station using the AM band should remain a government property.

He says this is to continue a service in times of natural disasters and other important public announcements.

Speaking in parliament, Lealailepule said only the SBC television and the FM radio station should be privatised.

But the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, says the sale of the broadcaster has been in the pipeline for years and there is nothing to worry about as government will pay to get media access.