The Minister for Communications Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has praised an initiative by femTALK to reach out to people, particularly women, in a comprehensive way using the mode of community radio.

The Minister says the Government is encouraging organisations to take advantage of the free services that currently exist in the country.

“Spectrum allocation is very critical and in fact there will be a lot more moves being made and there is obviously more opportunities now once we go into the digital era there is more opportunities for more players to come into the market – this access is free and not paid access.”

Sayed-Khaiyum made these comment at the launch of the expansion of femTALK 89FM community radio project that allows women to be heard through the air waves.

Present at the launch was Australian High Commissioner Margaret Twomey who said community radio was close to her heart.

“I very genuinely praise your innovation in perusing your work through community and bringing back the relevance of community to nation building in this case using community radio to relay messages to and from women.”

FemTALK 89 fm will now be available to listeners in, Nasinu, Nausori, Suva, Lami, Navua and Labasa in the North.