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It was the dumbest policy blunder to "abandon" Radio Australia transmissions via short wave (AM) to our Pacific Island neighbours. DUMB, DUMB, DUMB!!!!!!!
Having FM relay stations of Radio Australia in the countries of interest is also DUMB, DUMB and DUMB!!!!!! If there is content that the host country does not like, it may switch off the transmitter.
Similarly, if a broadcast is delivered by IP, the targeted country may block IP traffic from the host broadcsater. DUMB, DUMB and DUMB!
As our Prime Minister Mr Albanese said
Quote:
"....When the ABC voice was removed from the Pacific, guess what nation moved in? Simple as that, a major mistake of foreign policy."
He said Australia's "identity, values and interests" must be projected to the Pacific.
"On top of every other consideration, it is a prudent investment in our national security as well as our national interest.
"[This] was undervalued by the previous government, even trivialised. That was a mistake."
Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-05/prime-minister-calls-for-greater-abc-voice-in-the-pacific/101305584
Source: https://www.pm.gov.au/media/abc-90th-anniversary
It does not matter which country or countries filled the soft power void. rather our national identity, interests and security were not represented by Radio Australia's absence.
Since the abandonment of SW(AM) broadcasts, there have been improvements in the technology used to delivery SW broadcasts. That is DRM+ rather than AM can deliver clear digital signals over the SW band.
To illustrate, RNZ has been received in Spain, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkD01FuXOsg .
Imagine our Pacific Island neighbours can receive DRM+ broadcasts of Radio Australia, be entertained and informed in clear sound unlike the SW AM fading in and out signal subject to ionospheric conditions.
Rather than resume AM SW only broadcasts, Radio Australia should be transmitting in both AM SW and DRM+ SW broadcasts with the latter to be funded by an aid package to supply our Pacific Island neighbours with DRM+ receivers.
Thank you,
Anthony, of policy voids are like vacuum cleaners, they suck, Belfield in the land of the Wangal and Darug Peoples of the Eora Nation