Dear Editor – Please publish this letter expressing my disappointment in Telekom TV for not broadcasting the rugby match between the All Blacks and Wallabies last Saturday.
I am sure many rugby and sports fans in Solomon Islands must have been disappointed too for missing such an exciting spectacle.
Previously Telekom TV has been quite generous to broadcast many sports matches or fixtures for the enjoyment of the general public.
This year Telekom TV broadcast the Rugby Championship including the Bledisloe Cup fixtures between the All Blacks and Wallabies.
Naturally, we expected Telekom TV to broadcast the match last weekend. Sadly they didn’t and no explanation was given.
Obviously we, the sports fans have no right to demand and expect free TV broadcasts. Telekom TV is a business and expects to make money all the time.
There is however another side to the story that the Telekom bosses ought to consider. Not everything, especially in our developing country should be about money.
Telekom prides itself as a company that helps Solomon Islanders to communicate. Communication is good for us especially in terms of nation-building.
Sure enough Telekom has provided the tools or means to enable our people to communicate. Telephones, mobile phones and the internet supplied by Telekom are useful for communication and socialisation.
But the sports broadcast on TV also teach our people about how to communicate and socialise. Not long ago our country was nearly torn apart by ethnic division.
As we strive to develop our nation, sports is one avenue which we could tap into to enable our youths to socialise and experience the positive vibes.
Hence a company like Telekom could play a vital role in this regard. Each time they broadcast matches from overseas, they are offering many of our less exposed people opportunities to learn new things.
Our people can learn that we can play or enjoy sports peacefully in our communities without the need to riot or fight when our team loses.
Our people can also learn that apart from friendships that sports can help them develop, there are also health benefits.
Thus Telekom cannot shy away from its obligation to be a good corporate citizen. Please note that the telephones, mobiles and internet they supply are also used to tear apart families and people’s lives.
People use Telekom supplied phones to “nego” and engage in illicit sexual activities. The use Telekom supplied mobiles and internet to access and download porn or “blue.”
What does our country need more as we develop? More “nego-nego”? More “blue” movies or pictures?
By broadcasting more sports on TV, Telekom could help our people spend their time on more wholesome programs with friends and family instead of hiding in a dark corner watching porn on their mobile phone.
My message is simply this: Telekom TV you can be a force for good in this country. Use your facilities to influence our nation for the better.
But if you stay away because the public hasn’t paid you enough money, then someday you will regret it when you see the society you live and trade in becomes messed up by your devices.
Lionel Wanda
Mbokona Valley
Central Honiara
