APIA (Radio New Zealand International/ Pacific Media Watch): Pacific media executives from around the Asia-Pacific region have been looking at how they can help Pacific operators adapt to digital media.
The meeting in Samoa last week was facilitated by the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (Pacmas) and the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), as part of the 2015 Pacific Media Partnership Conference.
The ABU's director of technology, Amal Punchihewa, says the transition for media to digital is recognised all over the world as a matter of survival.
He said the advanced media corporations of Asia have a lot to offer the Pacific in making sure they are not left out of the global digital movement.
"The ABU coming in to the Pacific to work with all the media stakeholders in this region, to enhance, to educate and then to further development of the media in this region."
But a Samoan private broadcaster said it will be a financial challenge having to switch to digital broadcasting next year.
The chairperson and chief executive officer of Samoa Broadcasting Limited, Galumalemana Faiesea Lei Sam Matafeo, said going digital will not be easy for Samoa and other Pacific countries.
She said she is not sure what the government's plan is, but the station is looking for funding for the exercise which is not cheap.
"Almost all the countries that are going through digitalisation are finding it very very expensive because it means replacing all equipment and the audience as well also has to change their television sets."
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Pacific Media Watch
