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SBC- TV Ventures Into Dog Eat Dog World

Written by Pio Sioa
Thursday, 15 May 2008
After the sale of our Vailima Breweries to an overseas owned company a few years back, it is with a sense of comfort and reassurance perhaps, to hear that our SBC –TV and 89.1 FM Radio station, are going to remain in the hands of a company owned by our own local people. In the influential world of the media, television ranks above all else as the most powerful medium for influencing wholesale changes. . It will be a sad day for our language, culture and heritage, if SBC is allowed to fall into the hands of foreign investors, where profit margins overlook vital cultural identities and sensitivities. These are qualities we hold dear that are beyond any monetary value. Who we are as a people tops the list. If the most powerful of all the mediums is blinded by the pursuits of profit making, our culture and the pride we associate with it is in big trouble. Much of the credit for keeping the SBC in the hands of our own local entrepreneurs, probably rests with the current SBC Chief Executive Officer, Galumalemana Ms. Faiesea Matafeo, and those who are willing to give her their trust and faith. Huge financial backings, not to mention professional reputations and skills that has taken years to build, are at stake here. A purchase price of SAT$2 million to own SBC is a lot of money. This is on top of recurring expenses the takeover agreement has left to linger, for the lease of the land, building and the satellite dish. These will probably be purchased sometime later when the new company has build up enough purchasing power to do so. Those who have opted to take up the challenges of owning private businesses will be the first to admit that survival outside the public sector is hard. They are also the same people who will agree that success depends on the kind of dog you are. The popular adage that has come to associate closely with survival and success in the private sector is about being in ‘a dog eat dog world.’ This same adage rhymes well with another commonly used dog saying,” it’s not the size of the dog but the fight in the dog.” Why fighting dogs are so closely linked to human survival in the business world is interesting to note. Maybe it is because they are supposed to be man’s best friends, and in their fight for survival they set the example for us humans to follow. Maybe in another world where we can speak dog language, they will tell us. Admittedly, the world of the private sector is tough. But one of the most endearing qualities that almost everyone shares is the willingness to help out. There will always be hands reaching out to stand you up and encourage you along, when you stumble. This is a human bond that comes with the territory. When it comes to competition, they will give you no quarters, it is every man for himself. This comes as part of the territory as well, but it is healthy competition. There is always a constant attempt to go one step ahead of your competition because it translates into an advantage that will allow you to cope better with the challenges of survival. The life line for the SBC since its inception has always been hooked up to the Government pockets. Under the private ownership of the Samoa Quality Broadcasting the umbilical cord is severed or will be when the takeover is official. The onus is now on the company’s Board of Directors and on CEO Galumalemana steering at the helm. SBC alias SQB is about to depart the cocooned waters of the public sector, where the winds blow smooth. What awaits them now on the other side is rough seas where ‘it is the fight rather than the size in a dog that matters” for they are now about to face the realities of ‘a dog eat dog world.” The new world for them may at first appear frightening, and sometimes it is good to have that fear looming at the edges. It tones you up and sharpen the reflexes needed to be competitive. Galumalemana is a dog who has been in the wars. She has on occasion proven to be an iron lady of the media, to the surprise of some very fierce dogs in the local media world and political domain as well. She will undoubtedly be up to the challenge. Perhaps the tough negotiations she was involved in has primed her resolve to stand firm in the face of the new challenge. With her strong beliefs in the role of television in maintaining the cultural values of Samoa, SBC/SQB is in good hands…..if they survive and continue to sail strong. Comments (2) Subscribe to this comment's feed What is this? written by wait a second, May 16, 2008 you cannot have your cake and eat it to you want investments from overseas or from investors, play the game-- it is best to allow good companies to invest with experience than to see a good product or company lose jobs, vitality and economic opportunities You want jobs to stay in the country, government is not the answer-- Government is an impediment to development. You must be out of your mind if you lambast investors for investing capital to improve our positions, performance and enhance the country as a whole. you look over at the East of us and understand that if 80 percent of our countrymen are employed by those canneries and tomorrow the canneries pull out of Am.Samoa. Guess, where they are going to return to next. correct you are--- Samoa. Do you see the Government of Samoa looking for ways to mitigate that situation-- No-- do they care that Sila and Fili is unemployed in American Samoa soon to return with no money to send back and no opportunities to seek-- No.. so lets see the math says if 6000 wokers are alive in the canneries and 80% of those return-- lets see the math says nearly 4,800 Samoan Citizens will on the streets of the country looking for JOBS... Nice scene you think-- someone can offer them work or better yet, are their any jobs to go to? Just wondering how long those Visas are for, 6 months or 6 years! Do Not Fear of Anything but Fear Itself written by James T, May 16, 2008 Fear of the unknown is OK, but fear of Fear itself is ridiculous. Do you know that a dog wonders around everywhere but always come home to defecate in its backyard? Right now everybody thinks that we have been having this for a long time and it is hard to let go. Well, my friend everything has an end. Nobody in their wildest dream would have thought of an expensive idea like driving on the Left Side of the road would have happened in the Government of Samoa. Controlling of the land by a single matai and leasing it so he can make money is another example. These are the changes that the majority of Samoa does not want to happen. But it’s about to be happening. I think I got a general idea of why the government does not want to let go. Is PROPAGANDA sounds familiar to you? I recommend you to read this book called “Who Moved My Cheese?” I was number one for six weeks on Amazon.com. There is always a need to find fresh, new, bigger and better cheese when the old cheese starts running out and smells bad. Write comment Name Email Title Comment

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