Solomon Islands 20th Anniversary of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union

SOLOMAN ISLANDS on 2 July 1982 issued four first day cover stamps marking the 20th anniversary the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union. Among the stamps featured was Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) studio, SIBC Broadcasting House, village drummers and Radio City Guadalcanal. The stamps carry the British Crown Head of QEII with spiral perforation. The cachet depicted the SIBC logo along with the ABU  initials.

Radio broadcasting in the Solomons was first established by US military forces in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate (BSIP) during World War Two. In 1944, the Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS) developed small, mediumwave stations at Lunga on Guadalcanal and Munda, New Georgia.

By 1952, the broadcasts were on a much stronger footing, and the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Service (SIBS), an arm of the Government, was established. In 1976, new legislation converted the SIBS into the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC), a totally independent public service broadcaster charged with providing national radio coverage and a full range of news, educational, and entertainment services.

Instrumental in the development of the station was Dr. Martin Hadlow. He worked with SIBC from 1982 to 1984. He had been recruited by the Australian aid agency to help the SIBC board and management as the Advisor. He did much more than advice. He trained and mentored and even recorded the very first group for an audio cassette titled ‘Solomon Bamboo‘ at Ughele on Rendova. He is remembered fondly and with great respect by many of us at SIBC.

SIBC remains on air transmitting via shortwave, medium wave and FM.