On the fast track

of information

As Western

Samoa launches into ano ther 35 years, the sedate pace of life is slowly being overtaken by the advance of information technology.

Neighbouring

American Samoa network

Nua Nua television and a consortium of investors plan to have cable television coming through Samoan households in time for this month’s independence celebrations.

Ten channels will be available, including the CNN news net work, sport, documentary and movie channels. At $75 dollars a month, the new deal looks set to attract plenty of viewers.

With a motto announcing “Samoa is founded on God”, it was hardly surprising when, last month, televangelism also became available care of a satellite link with the Trinity

Broadcasting Network

in the United States.

Station manager Ricky Meredith, who runs Go For Christ Ministries is hoping Television Graceland will be allowed to broadcast for up to 12 hours a day.

The arrival of enough

television to create a new ‘couch banana’ subculture means Samoans will have more programme options than any other viewing audience in the region.

Anyone wanting to complain about the avalanche of pro gramme options now only has to pick up a cellular phone - that just went on sale for the first time recently. The Western Samoa government has a part shareholding with a New Zealand-based company in the venture, which involves a one-off connection fee. Local calls will cost about 30 cents. ■