Pat Conroy at a door stop with Solomon Islands media in Honiara, Solomon Islands on 26 July 2023. Photo: Daniel Walding
Australia has announced more than AU$68 million over the next five years to strengthen and expand Australian broadcasting and media sector engagement across the Indo-Pacific.
As part of the Indo-Pacific broadcasting strategy, the ABC will receive just over $40m to increase its content for and about the Pacific, expand Radio Australia's FM transmission footprint across the region and enhance its media and training activities.
And the PacificAus TV program will receive over $28 million dollars to provide commercial Australian content free of charge to broadcasters in the Pacific.
The Strategy provides a framework to help foster a vibrant and independent media sector, counter misinformation, present modern multicultural Australia, and support deeper people-to-people engagement.
It focuses on three key areas, including: supporting the creation and distribution of compelling Australian content that engages audiences and demonstrates Australia's commitment to the region, ehancing access in the region to trusted sources of media, including news and current affairs, strengthening regional media capacity and capability and boost connections between Australian-based and Indo-Pacific media and content creators.
Foreign minister Penny Wong said media plays a crucial role in elevating the voices and perspectives of our region and strengthening democracy.
Wong said the Australia govvernment is committed to supporting viable, resilient and independent media in the region.
The Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy, said Australia and the Pacific share close cultural and people-to-people links, and an enduring love of sport.
"These connections will be further enriched by the boost in Australian content, allowing us to watch, read, and listen to shared stories across the region - from rugby to news and music.
Conroys said Australia will continue and expanding support for media development, including through the new phase of the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS) and future opportunities through the Australia-Pacific Media and Broadcasting Partnership.
The Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, said a healthy Fourth Estate is imperative in the era of digital transformation and misinformation.
"This Strategy continues Australia's longstanding commitment to supporting a robust media sector in our region.
"By leveraging Australia's strengths, we can partner with the region to boost media connections, and foster a diverse and sustainable media landscape," she added.
