Fiji Television Limited said the Communications Ministry is now directly liaising with the International Rugby Union in relation to the Television Cross Carriage of Designated Events Decree which states that important events are shown on all free to air channels by the three television broadcasters.
Fiji TV currently has the rights to show the IRB 7s series and its agreement expires next year.
CEO, Tevita Gonelevu said they are not allowed to share the coverage under the agreement with the IRB.
He said they have given their agreement with the IRB to the Communications Ministry and have asked the Ministry to liaise with the IRB.
The events that are deemed as Designated Events are the General Elections, National Budget Address, Parliamentary Proceedings, State funerals, Rugby World Cup 7s and 15s, Rugby League World Cup, IRB 7s Series, FIFA World Cup, Netball World Cup, Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, South Pacific Games, Mini South Pacific Games and the Coca Cola Games.
Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum had earlier said that the three television broadcasters, Fiji TV, Mai TV and FBC TV will now buy the rights of designated events as a country and pay for the viewing rights based on their viewership.
Sayed-Khaiyum added if a television company already has an existing right, the decree states that the company needs to submit what is the cost of the rights.
He added then the other companies will pay a portion of the cost to be able to show the particular event.
Any free to air TV licensee including any Director or CEO who contravenes the section in the decree relating to the obligation to broadcast all designated events commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $500,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or both.
When questioned by Fijivillage today, Sayed-Khaiyum said he has not seen anything on this and once he sees it, he will give us an interview.
The 2014/2015 IRB 7s series starts in October in Australia.
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