Yap...How Did You Know We’d Like TV?

Synopsis

The small island of Yap was part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, known as Micronesia, a possession given to the United States as a ‘strategic trust’ after World War II. Traditional culture is being abandoned as the Yaps turn to American values and institutions. In 1979 the Yaps were given a television station and a supply of American programmes, complete with adverts for American consumer goods, provided by the ‘Pacific Taping Company’, and a small studio to produce local news reports. Many Yaps were opposed to television and saw it as a threat to their fragile culture and some suspected the motives of the Pacific Taping Company.

Language

English

Country

United States

Medium

Video; Videocassette. VHS. col. 54 min.

Year of production

1980

Availability

Sale; 1999 sale: £150.00 (inclusive)

Subjects

Anthropology; Development studies; Media studies; Politics & government

Keywords

cultural influences; Micronesia; television broadcasting; United States of America

Credits

Director

Dennis O’Rourke

Producer

Dennis O’Rourke

Production Company

Name

O’Rourke & Associates Filmmakers Pty Ltd

Name

WGBH Boston

Distributor

Name

Camerawork Pty Ltd

Email

camerawork@effect.net.au

Phone

+61 2 6262 5255

Fax

+61 2 6262 5266

Address

1 Lambert Street
GPO Box 199
Canberra 2601
Australia

Notes

Contact: Dennis O’Rourke