NEW CALEDONIA: Radio Djiido looks to Kanaky's future

MELBOURNE (Radio Australia / Pacific Media Watch): New Caledonia's indigenous Kanak radio station, Radio Djiido, has topped the ratings chart in the French territory.

The station, which started in 1985, runs on the smell of an oily rag.

But it is now looking to play a big role as New Caledonia prepares for an historic referendum on self-determination.

Presenter: Pacific economic and business reporter Jemima Garrett

Speaker: Viviane Arhou, director, Radio Djiido

[SFX: Music - Tilai by Edou]

GARRETT: Local Kaneka music defines Radio Djiido and helped make it New Caledonia's most popular radio station in 2011.

While Radio Oceanie and Radio Energie are limited to the capital Noumea, Radio Djiido and its main rival Radio Rythme and Bleu reach out to the whole country.

Viviane Arhou, has been on the Radio Djiido Board for 7 years.

ARHOU: [in translation] I don't know the exact figures but Radio Djiido reaches around 70-80 percent of the population and we are working hard to reach the others.

GARRETT: New Caledonia is divided politically and geographically - in the capital the feel is strongly European and anti-independence.

In the less developed Northern Province and Loyalty Islands pro-independence Kanaks are in the majority.

Radio Djiido is New Caledonia's only independentiste station - an identity it takes very seriously.

Djiido was set up at the height of the independence struggle in the late 1980's.

It lived through the terrible times when Kanak militants died fighting the French and independence leaders Jean Marie Tjibaou and Yewenie Yewenie were assassinated by one of their own - for signing on to a peace process.

That peace process is set to culminate in a referendum on self-determination sometime between 2014 and 2018.

Viviane Arhou is keen to see Radio Djiido play a constructive role as New caledonia prepares for that vote.

ARHOU: [in translation] It is a question that has been pre-occupying me since 2008. I have asked are we equipped? Do we have a plan? Because it will be necessary for Radio Djiido to explain all the complex issues surrounding the referendum and to go out into the community and report on what people are thinking.

GARRETT: The questions for the referendum have yet to be set and it will be a tough job explaining the difference between enhanced autonomy, independence in association with France and full independence.

The nature citizenship and eligibility for citizenship and the electoral roles are also volatile and complex questions.

Viviane Arhou says Radio Djiido has found it hard to get non-Kanaks to come on and discuss these issues.

ARHOU: [in translation] They listen but it is difficult for them to come on. I want to say to them, as a Director of Radio Djiido, that the station is not closed to them.

GARRETT: In television, too, there are moves afoot that will help bring New Caledonia's people together in a discussion about their future.

At the moment, TV comes from France.

Viviane Arhou is working on a project to set up a locally-owned station that will include pro and anti-independence forces.

Radio Djiido's rival Radio Rythme and Bleu has signed up and the consortium has presented its case to Paris.

It is now waiting expectantly for a licence decision.