Television came to Fiji for the first time in 1991.
After years of wrangling and debates about the pros and cons of ‘The Box’, Television New Zealand was chosen to provide a temporary service during the Rugby World Cup, an article published in The Fiji Times on January 3, 1992, reported.
The chance to watch the national rugby team in action meant that negative aspects were temporarily pushed aside by residents of the greater Suva area, where the service was initially available.
On October 3 that year, Fiji One started broadcasting for 34 days.
Suva residents were held in suspense for more than a week as a land dispute held up the installation of the Fiji One mast at Tamavua, which was eventually erected at Mead Rd, Nabua.
Television aerials were bought by the hundreds.
The adventurous and those who could not afford the $70-$100 for an antenna made their own.
Umbrellas, garden rakes, clothes hangers and dish-shaped metal concoctions were not uncommon.
Schools recorded absenteeism among teachers and students.
Some educators said television had come at the wrong time — just before national school examinations.
The power of television became apparent when a student was asked to name the President of Fiji.
His answer: Sir Walter Thomas, who happened to be the director of information and was the main news anchor at that time.
“It was too much for the students. Nine teachers too couldn’t make it to class. By mid-day, two or three more teachers wanted to go home,” said one school principal.
On December 16, the temporary service was extended to the West and went on for another three months as predicted.
A survey commissioned by TVNZ gave the service an overwhelming vote of confidence.
But opposition groups criticised the pro-government nature of the television news.
Fresh tenders were expected to be called in after draft television legislation was drawn up and many were hopeful Fiji would have a permanent national television by 1992.
