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Hope for Access 31

Perth’s community television station Access 31 has been thrown a lifeline from a wealthy Chinese businessman.

Perth’s now-defunct community television station Access 31 has been thrown a lifeline from a wealthy Chinese businessman.

Ma Xi Bo, owner of Perth Chinese Radio and the Oriental Post, has offered a substantial amount to get the station back on air.

General manager of Mr Ma’s Perth Chinese Media Group, Len Fretwell, said Mr Ma was very community minded and wanted to see the station viable.

“Mr Ma would like to see – and he can afford to do it – Access 31 continue for the benefit of the community,” Mr Fretwell said.

Access 31 closed on August 6th after Perth architect Gary Baverstock withdrew his last-minute offer to save the station, which had been suffering financially for some time.

Earlier this month it was revealed Access 31 needed a minimum of $1.3 million to stay on air until the Federal Government could come through with a proposed rescue package next year.

“$1.3 million would cover us to keep it operating in analogue until the funds to move us into simulcast broadcasting could be provided by the Federal Government,” board member Phillip Skelton said at the time.

“Despite encouraging words from the Federal Government, they have not provided any funds that would enable Access 31 to go digital.

Lotterywest had verbally indicated they would inject $250,000, but this was not realised.

Mr Fretwell stressed there was no desire to turn Access 31 into a Chinese television station, though the three Chinese programs already running on Access 31 would continue.

The offer will be discussed at a member’s meeting on Monday.

Source: WAToday

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