The Government of Australia will be funding the rebuild of the BCN studios. In a Media Release on Tuesday, the Honorable Pat Conroy, the Minister of International Development and the Pacific announced funding of $1 million Australian Dollars to rebuild the Niue National Broadcaster BCN’s studios
According to the statement, this is in line with Australia’s Development policy as this funding will enable BCN Studios on-going media presence in Niue –which supports public debate, democratic norms and robust governance.
The BCN building at Fonuakula was funded by the Australian government and built by a local contractor. It was officially opened in October 1995. 28 years later the Australian government has again stepped up to help rebuild the studios of the national broadcaster.
In October 2022 Australia’s Foreign Affair Minister Hon. Penny Wong visited the BCN station to officially switch on the ABC channel on the TV Niue. Foreign Minister Wong was shown the damages caused by the fire in May 2020. At that time, it had been two years and the BCN staff were working out of makeshift studios to provide TV Niue services, Radio Sunshine and produce the news for radio, television, online and on social media.
BCN News spoke with Australian High Commissioner to Niue-Her Excellency Kay Stuart about the announcement made by the Minister for International Development and the Pacific-Honorable Pat Conroy on funding to repair the BCN studios.
BCN’s role as the main media platform with the only radio station on the island to reach the public during cyclone seasons is recognised by Australia with the statement saying that Australia is committed to helping strengthen climate resilient critical infrastructure in Niue and across the disaster-prone Pacific region.
Meanwhile the much anticipated 7th Pacific Media Summit, the largest meeting of news and media practitioners and news outlets in the Pacific will be held here in Niue next month.
Australia has also provided assistance through the Niue Media Association to co- host the closing and opening ceremonies of the summit.
Work on the rebuild by a local contractor will begin in November this year and is expected to take several months.