- The Strategist - https://www.aspistrategist.org.au -
Rebuilding Australia’s media voice in the South Pacific
Posted By Graeme Dobell on May 9, 2022 @ 06:00
China is now seemingly entrenched in Solomons and will also be looking for other opportunities for a base elsewhere in the Pacific. But, for better or worse, Pacific politics seldom provide certainty. It’s not too late for Australia to shore up its place in the South Pacific and to protect its strategic interests.
The Committee notes the media environment within the Pacific is becoming more contested, and recognises Australia has a national interest in maintaining a visible and active media and broadcasting presence there. The Committee recommends the Australian Government considers steps necessary to expand Australia’s media footprint in the Pacific, including through:
– expanding the provision of Australian public and commercial television and digital content across the Pacific, noting existing efforts by the PacificAus TV initiative and Pacific Australia;
– reinvigorating Radio Australia, which is well regarded in the region, to boost its digital appeal; and
– consider[ing] governance arrangements for an Australian International Media Corporation to formulate and oversee the strategic direction of Australia’s international media presence in the Pacific.
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URL to article: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/rebuilding-australias-media-voice-in-the-south-pacific/
[1] step-up: https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/pacific
[2] ‘Australia’s long Pacific stupor’: https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/australia-has-to-end-its-long-pacific-stupor-before-it-s-too-late-20220427-p5agne
[3] Radio Australia: https://www.abc.net.au/radio-australia/
[4] ABC Australia: http://www.abcaustralia.net.au/about
[5] sad, bad and dumb decision: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/muting-australias-regional-voice/
[6] decimated Radio Australia: https://insidestory.org.au/the-gutting-of-radio-australia/
[7] payback: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/jan/30/abc-faces-australia-network-loss
[8] tragedy in the South Pacific: https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/radio-australia-cuts-hurt-pacific-and-australia
[9] Hard news and free media as the sharp edge of Australia’s soft power.: https://www.aspi.org.au/report/hard-news-and-free-media
[10] domestic: https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/qa-in-honiara-morrison-hits-out-at-labors-plans-to-boost-abc-funding-to-provide-content-into-pacific-countries/news-story/8878570639f2f601de2a1c2484ef7726
[11] devaluing: https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/2022/04/26/pacific-labor-broadcast-plan-reaction/
[12] Indo-Pacific broadcasting strategy: https://www.alp.org.au/policies/indo-pacific-broadcasting-strategy
[13] Jemima Garrett: https://www.smh.com.au/world/oceania/pacific-must-hear-our-voices-but-we-must-listen-to-theirs-20220426-p5agb2.html
[14] ‘farcical’: https://www.liberal.org.au/latest-news/2022/04/26/prime-minister-transcript-interview-ben-fordham-2gb
[15] switched off shortwave: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/silencing-australias-shortwave-voice-south-pacific/
[16] Strengthening Australia’s relationships in the Pacific.: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Foreign_Affairs_Defence_and_Trade/PacificRelationships/Report
[17] submission to the inquiry: https://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ashx?id=845f3711-8dee-4dc5-96d1-fec839a8a00b&subId=680368