. . .
“It's clear that no thought was given to the link between disaster communications and this service, or even the fact
that FM is largely unreliable in bad weather and only available in urban areas”
- PFF
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PFF Friday, 9 November, 2016
. . .
Australia needs to urgently reverse a decision to end shortwave radio broadcasts to the Pacific by January next year,
says PFF, Pacific Freedom Forum.
"There seems to be no logic or connection with realities facing Pacific listeners and audiences across the region who
will be effectively be cut off from news, information, and life saving information during disasters," says PFF Chair
Monica Miller, of American Samoa.
PFF members are condemning the Australian Broadcasting Corporations announcement that ABC International’s shortwave
services currently broadcast to Papua New Guinea and the Pacific will end in less than two months.
SHAME
"As Pacific nations are going through the usual cyclone cyclone, its just such a shame that they will lose a key,
credible information source to rely on,” says Miller.
“It's clear that no thought was given to the link between disaster communications and this service, or even the fact
that FM is largely unreliable in bad weather and only available in urban areas."
"It's a slap in the face for the millions who've connected to Australia and to regional news through this service,
because they are unlikely to be the ones targeted in the new digital content offerings being touted by ABC."
URGE
PFF is also urging Pacific governments to raise the issue with Australia, and remind the Turnball administration of its
promises to the international community to refocus assistance towards the Pacific.
“What better use of tax payers dollars than a service that helps communities prepare for natural disaster such as
potential tsunami, from earthquakes like the Solomon Islands has just today experienced, and other natural disasters,
especially cyclones,” says Miller.
“While we can appreciate that any broadcaster wants to keep up with the times, ditching the SW transmission service
which is an information lifeline to so many in the Pacific, is not smart strategically and demonstrates a lack of vision
or involvement in the much-appreciated Pacific footprint ABC has across small island developing states.
DISASTER
"It's disappointing to see the service disappear, and more sadly, it will add to the concerns of disaster management
officials when national telecommunication systems are down and no information will get to rural populations through a
medium they still trust and use.”
The ABC decision follows that of Radio New Zealand International earlier year to cut back their short-wave
transmissions.
It also comes ten years after a parliamentary review in Australia, of aid to the Pacific, agreed with a call from the
region to maintain and improve regional broadcasting services.
LINKS
Radio Australia Shortwave Broadcasts to End on January 31
Radio Australia bai pinisim shortwave broadcast
Australian ministerial delegation visits Vanuatu — as end of Australian shortwave broadcasts to Pacific is announced
ABC pulling plug on Pacific shortwave 'not good news'
Pacific listeners upset at ABC ending shortwave service
RNZI to run single shortwave transmitter for analogue and DRM
ABC decision to halt shortwave broadcasts criticised
2006 Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade inquiry into Australia's aid program in the Pacific