The ABC has welcomed the renewal of Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy funding.
Announced by the Australian Government in the federal budget overnight, the additional $14 million investment over two years will help maintain the ABC’s expanded services across the region, supporting the creation of trusted content, regional media partnerships and stronger connections with audiences throughout the Indo-Pacific.
Since 2022, the ABC has used funding provided under the Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy in the following ways:
- Doubling ABC Radio Australia’s FM footprint in the Pacific
- Doubling Pacific-focused radio content
- Establishing the Pacific Local Journalism Network. This delivers high-value reporting from the region, including on The Pacific news and current affairs program on ABC Australia television, Pacific Beat on ABC Radio Australia and digital platforms
- Creating two tailored ABC Australia television streams for Asia and the Pacific with time zone-aligned scheduling and tailored content for each region.
- Expanding ABC Asia and ABC Pacific digital and social content
- Launching Asia News Week, a weekly pan-Asian news and current affairs program
- Signing more than 20 content-sharing agreements with national broadcasters across Asia and the Pacific. This will significantly extend the reach of trusted Australian content and embed it within local media ecosystems across the region
- Delivering media capacity-building programs, including online learning resources and support for media partners in Timor-Leste and Indonesia
“Since the launch of the government’s Pacific Engagement initiatives in 2022 the ABC has welcomed the opportunity to expand our reach, deepen audience engagement and support local media capacity across the Indo-Pacific,” ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks said.
“We look forward to continuing this important work in advancing the region’s access to reliable trusted information, growth in media, skills and improvement in information distribution infrastructure, to benefit audiences in the region and deliver strong value for public investment.”
ABC Head International Claire Gorman said the funding would help sustain the ABC’s reach and impact: “In an uncertain geopolitical environment, trusted media is critical. This renewal allows the ABC to keep engaging audiences across the region, share the story of modern Australia and bring important stories back to Australian audiences from our neighbours.
“We look forward to growing the ABC’s soft power impact in this increasingly complex world.
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