fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan and William Parkinson

fijivillage News by 2016 had quickly became a target, to the point where it seemed the former Attorney General could not make a statement without mentioning fijivillage in some manner, however, we were constantly looking at ways in which we could steadily push back.

This has been revealed by the Chair of Communications Fiji Limited, William Parkinson while responding to questions on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan on the impact of the 2006 coup, the Media Industry Development Decree in 2010 and the targeting of independent media organisations.

As CFL, the parent company of fijivillage, FM96, LegendFM, VitiFM, Navtarang, Radio Sargam and PNGFM, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, Parkinson says fijivillage which started in 1997 and relaunched on May 19, 2000, was ahead of its time.

He says by 2006, it was a well-known brand, not just around Fiji, but around the world and it has now become a core brand for the organisation with one of the biggest reaches matching all of CFL’s radio stations.

While highlighting the targeting on fijivillage News by the former Attorney General, Parkinson says in the early days of media control, people were being targeted, in some cases, in very violent manner, but also in very clever and dangerous ways.

He says it was very clear that if fijivillage News was going to survive, it needed to be very cautious and very careful in the way in which it could get a message across.

Parkinson says some in the media would choose martyrdom in that situation, even if it puts them out of business but he had a duty to the shareholders and to the people of Fiji to do the best it could to stay on air.

If you choose to bring children into this world, then your job is to be able to educate them, create that environment, provide them with the security and the love that they need, then they can go on and bring about change.

This has been highlighted by Communications Fiji Limited and Leadership Fiji’s Chairman, and former President of Pacific Islands News Association, William Parkinson while responding to questions on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan.

CFL is the parent company of FM96, LegendFM, VitiFM, Navtarang, Radio Sargam, fijivillage and PNGFM.

Parkinson says the first leadership role for any parent is being a parent and once parents have achieved that, then they can move on and start to grow and build the society around them.

While talking about the culture at CFL, Parkinson says people know they are going to get paid and be supported in their decision-making.

He says he is constantly amazed and sometimes bewildered by the decision-making that is done at CFL, particularly by some of younger members of the team but it is thrilling and they know that he will support them in that process.

Parkinson says one of the things that he is recognizing as an older person now is that one of the toughest decision is to just step out of the way and say he is not needed anymore.

He says he will always stand in the background, and provide support as required.

You can watch the full fijivillage Straight Talk on our website, fijivillage.

Fiji requires political leadership to establish the rule of law in the country, ensuring its independence, giving everyone a voice, and making sure everyone feels secure in their ability to bring about change.

This has been highlighted by Communications Fiji Limited and Leadership Fiji’s Chairman, and former President of Pacific Islands News Association, William Parkinson while responding to questions on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan.

CFL is the parent company of FM96, LegendFM, VitiFM, Navtarang, Radio Sargam, fijivillage and PNGFM.

While responding to questions about his lowest point, Parkinson says this was during the 2000 coup on the night when his home was ransacked, CFL was threatened and when Fiji TV was destroyed.

He says all those in authority had stepped away and had told them to go home, make themselves safe because they could not do anything.

Parkinson says this memory sits strongly with him and it has driven a lot of things, including his passion and of those who started Leadership Fiji.

He says we cannot build a modern nation state like this, and we need a new cadre of leaders who understand that, the rule of law must be protected and that if a modern nation state is to be created, then it needs to have everybody involved and working together irrespective of who they are, their race, gender and where they come from.

He says this is similar to how CFL is built. Parkinson further says that successful modern nation states are built around a sense of ownership where every citizen needs to be able to feel that they can participate in the process of leadership and taking Fiji to that next stage.

He says need to create an environment where we can all feel like we can participate.

He says we need to also create a political environment, where we have made some big steps forward in recent years towards that; where individual citizens feel supported in being able to make those decisions and lead our country forward.

Parkinson says through Leadership Fiji, he wants to get away from this notion where the government will do everything for the citizens and people just wait to be told what to do.

He says his faith in Fiji was shaken in 2000, however, he always felt that in the end, we will get through it as a citizen but it requires the need to create an environment where citizens are stepping forward and saying what issues they want solved.

Despite many obstacles along the way to set up Fiji’s first ever 24 hour radio station, FM96 in 1985, one of the founders of Communications Fiji Limited, William Parkinson has achieved success by learning everything from scratch and transforming the media landscape in Fiji and the Pacific.

Speaking on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan, Parkinson shared that after finishing university in the early 1980s and hearing that the Fijian government would allow private radio, he began researching and planning to launch a station.

He also met various people, including former Fiji Times journalist and public relations specialist, Matt Wilson, who was heavily involved in the early days of CFL for a long period and helped put together the proposal.

By 1984, his proposal led to winning an open bid to launch private radio in Fiji at just 22 or 23 years of age, turning his early passion for media into reality.

He added that businessman Harry Punja joined their organisation as an investor and later chairman, giving the company credibility and helping it gain momentum.

Parkinson says having no internet and operating with only one computer, FM96 became Fiji’s first 24-hour FM station, introducing a commercial radio format with a fresh, youth-driven energy, a rotating playlist of the latest music and new broadcasting techniques.

He further says that FM96 pioneered live call-in reporting and the use of radio RT units in cars and also became involved in sports by introducing fast coverage through volunteers and innovative technology.

Parkinson highlighted that the success of FM96 paved the way for other CFL radio stations, including Navtarang in 1989, Viti FM in 1996, Legend FM in 2002 and Radio Sargam 2004.

Good radio is about building relationships with our listeners 24/7 and no other media can do that in quite the same manner as radio, and particularly in the Pacific.

Chairman of Communications Fiji Limited, the parent company of FM96, LegendFM, VitiFM, Navtarang, Radio Sargam, fijivillage and PNGFM, William Parkinson highlighted this during the Pacific Media Partnership Conference World Radio Day celebrations at Suva Civic Centre today.

Parkinson says we talk directly to our listeners in good and bad times.

He says that's where the importance of us meeting the requirements in terms of emergency is critical and it’s been a core part of CFL's growth - particularly during cyclones.

The Chairman says the digital world allows us to enrich the 24/7 relationship with our listeners and build on it, and that's certainly our philosophy.

He further says our news website fijivillage has been in existence since 1997 which has been another critical element in terms of building relationships.

Parkinson adds that he expects our radio personalities not only to be the number one radio personalities in their market but also the number one online influencers.

Chairman of Communications Fiji Limited, parent company of FM96, LegendFM, VitiFM, Navtarang, Radio Sargam, fijivillage and PNGFM, William Parkinson on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan.

Watch the full interview here;