Canberra: The Australian government has announced over AU$68 million in funding over the next five years to enhance and expand the Australian broadcasting and media sector’s engagement across the Indo-Pacific region.
As part of this Indo-Pacific broadcasting strategy, the ABC will receive just over AU$40 million to increase its content focused on the Pacific, expand Radio Australia’s FM transmission footprint in the region, and enhance its media and training activities.
Additionally, the PacificAus TV program will receive over AU$28 million to provide commercial Australian content free of charge to broadcasters in the Pacific.
The strategy aims to foster a vibrant and independent media sector, counter misinformation, present a modern multicultural Australia, and support deeper people-to-people engagement.
It focuses on three key areas:
– Supporting the creation and distribution of compelling Australian content that engages audiences and demonstrates Australia’s commitment to the region,
– Enhancing access to trusted media sources, including news and current affairs, in the region, and
– Strengthening regional media capacity and capability, while boosting connections between Australian-based and Indo-Pacific media and content creators.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that media plays a crucial role in elevating the voices and perspectives of the region and strengthening democracy. She emphasized that the Australian government is committed to supporting a viable, resilient, and independent media in the region.
Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy, highlighted the close cultural and people-to-people links between Australia and the Pacific, including a shared love of sport. Conroy noted that the increased Australian content will enrich these connections, allowing shared stories to be watched, read, and listened to across the region, from rugby to news and music.
Conroy also mentioned that Australia will continue and expand support for media development through the new phase of the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS) and future opportunities through the Australia-Pacific Media and Broadcasting Partnership.