People to people
The Australian Government is investing more than $68 million over five years to deliver the Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy.
The Strategy provides a framework to strengthen and expand Australian broadcasting and media sector engagement across the Indo-Pacific. To reflect the varied media sectors and Australia's diverse relationships across the region, the Strategy is accompanied by:
The Strategy builds on Australia's proud history of media engagement across the Indo-Pacific. Activities under the Strategy will foster a vibrant and independent media sector, present an accurate understanding of modern, multicultural Australia, and support deeper people-to-people engagement.
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Australia-Pacific Media and Broadcasting Partnership
Australia is a long-term supporter of media resilience and professionalism in the Pacific region, including through the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS) and the Media Development Initiative (MDI) in Papua New Guinea. Australia is committed to building on this longstanding partnership with media and broadcasters into the future.
As part of the Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy, the Australia-Pacific Media and Broadcasting Partnership will boost industry connections, continue support for media capacity and expand access to high quality content. This reflects a growing demand for Australian and Pacific content in the region, and presents opportunities to share stories, perspectives and culture that resonate with, and connect, people and communities.
As part of the Partnership:
- The ABC is increasing its content for and about the Pacific, expanding its Radio Australia FM transmission footprint across the region, and enhancing media and training activities through additional funding ($40.5 million over five years).
- The Government is continuing to support the PacificAus TV program to provide commercial Australian content free of charge to broadcasters in the Pacific ($28.4 million over five years).
The Partnership complements existing Australian Government funded media development programs.
Australia-Southeast Asia Media and Broadcasting Initiative
Australia is committed to deepening engagement with Southeast Asia, including by strengthening our cultural, people and institutional connections.
The Australia-Southeast Asia Media and Broadcasting Initiative, as part of the Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy, provides a framework to expand access to Australian content that resonates with local audiences, boost industry connections in the region, and strengthen the resilience of regional media outlets through training and development programs. It will also enhance access to trusted and informative sources of media including news and current affairs.
Australia-South Asia Media and Broadcasting Initiative
Australia's relationship with South Asia has never been more consequential. Our longstanding partnerships are underpinned by economic, cultural, and institutional links.
The Australia-South Asia Media and Broadcasting Initiative frames how Australia will harness the power of stories and media to deepen these connections and our relationship with South Asian countries. The Initiative will boost access to Australian content that resonates across South Asia, enhance the capability of its media environments through training and development programs and create connections between media partners and content creators.
Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Review
Alongside the Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy, the government committed to reviewing the potential restoration of Australian shortwave radio broadcasting capacity in the Pacific; options to continue the PacificAus TV program; and options to maximise the impact of Australian taxpayer investment in the SBS in the Pacific media context.