L-R: Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, SIBC CEO Johnson Honimae, PCBL Deputy Chair Caren Rangi and Ivan Harre discuss the SIBC Strategic Plan 2026-2030, in Honiara.
By Michelle Curran
Strategic Communications, Pasifika TV
Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited’s Deputy Chair Caren Rangi has returned from the Solomon Islands, with an understanding of the challenges faced by the nation’s public broadcaster, as well as a sense of renewed hope.
Caren joined the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) Chief Executive Officer Johnson Honimae, and PCBL’s Ivan Harre in Honiara during August to brief Prime Minister Hon Jeremiah Manele on SIBC’s Strategic Plan 2025-2030.
The talanoa is helping SIBC to shape its direction over the next five years.
Prime Minister Manele is supportive of SIBC, and says despite the changing media environment, SIBC remains the voice of the nation.
“In a scattered country like the Solomon Islands, radio is a unifying force,” Prime Minister Manele says.
“As both a public broadcaster and a commercial station, SIBC faces challenges, but the Government for National Unity and Transformation will continue to support it.”
Both the Prime Minister and SIBC CEO acknowledge the New Zealand Government’s support, by funding the formulation of the plan, with PCBL providing technical support throughout the consultation process.
Caren says maintaining strong partnerships with broadcasters in the region, while helping broadcasters like SIBC deliver quality programming to their audiences, has been integral to PCBL’s success over time.
“Being able to provide practical assistance such as supporting SIBC’s strategic development is one example of the partnership in action,” Caren adds.
“As Deputy Chair, I have welcomed the opportunity to meet firsthand with one of our broadcasters and their stakeholders, in their own environment, as a way of contributing to our ongoing partnership.
“It also helped me to understand some of the challenges they face.
“We really appreciate Prime Minister Manele making time for us in his busy schedule to meet and discuss his aspirations for the future of broadcasting in the Solomon Islands.”
Other operational priorities discussed during the meeting include technical upgrades and national coverage initiatives, such as the revival of SIBC’s Lata studio in Temotu Province.
SIBC was repositioned in 2022 from a State-Owned Enterprise to a National Broadcaster under the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, within the Prime Minister’s Information Service portfolio.
Visit the SIBC website for more information on the public broadcaster.
