Paul Holton of Faith FM Completes Radio Assessments and Training in the Pacific
Mr. Paul Holton, radio engineer from Faith FM, visited the Trans-Pacific Union Mission (TPUM) from August 5th to 16th, 2024. His visit included stops in Samoa, American Samoa, and Fiji, where he conducted crucial radio assessments and training sessions.
Both Samoa and American Samoa had recently been granted radio licenses by their respective governments, marking a significant milestone in the region's media landscape. During his visit, Mr. Holton carried out essential groundwork and documentation to support the establishment of these new radio stations, laying the foundation for future broadcasts.
In addition to his work in Samoa and American Samoa, Mr. Holton collaborated closely with the Fiji Mission's media and communications team. He spent time with Wyse Bete, the Hope FM Radio Director, evaluating the current radio system and conducting training on radio transmission. This collaboration was vital in ensuring the continued success and expansion of Hope FM's reach within Fiji.
A key highlight of Mr. Holton's visit to Fiji included a trip to Vanua Levu, Fiji's second-largest island. The FM team, along with Mr. Holton, conducted an evaluation to explore the possibilities of resurrecting the Hope FM signal in the northern part of the country, thereby extending the station's reach to more communities.
Earlier, in June, Felix Enasio, TPUM's IT personnel, had been sent to Australia to work alongside Mr. Holton. During his time in Australia, Mr. Enasio was attached to Faith FM to learn and observe the setup of radio transmitters and other technical aspects of radio operations. Mr. Holton, who manages over 300 transmission sites for Faith FM in Australia, brought a wealth of experience to the Pacific, offering invaluable insights and training to local teams.
Mr. Holton's visit marked a major step forward in strengthening radio broadcasting capabilities across the Pacific region, aligning with TPUM's commitment to advancing media and communication efforts to spread positive messages and foster community engagement.