The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has launched ABC Radio Australia in Tuvalu, on 102FM, for the first time, another step in the network’s expansion in the Pacific.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has also been signed between the Tuvalu Broadcasting Corporation (TVBC) and the ABC to support future opportunities to share technical knowledge and content. The MOU signing was celebrated alongside the launch of the station at a ceremony in Funafuti, Tuvalu.
ABC International Head Claire M. Gorman said at the ceremony:
“We are incredibly excited to be commemorating the collaboration between the ABC and TVBC in launching ABC Radio Australia in Tuvalu and welcome everyone to enjoy the new FM radio service. The MOU between the ABC and TVBC also marks an important milestone in our partnership, and I look forward to future opportunities for us both to work together in supporting our audiences across Tuvalu and Australia.”
ABC Radio Australia footprint in the Pacific now includes Nauru, Palau, Pohnpei (Federated States of Micronesia), Kokopo (Papua New Guinea) and Gizo (Solomon Islands). Plans to launch in Kiribati, the Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, Lorengau in Papua New Guinea, and Buka in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville are still in the works.
Tuvalu audiences can now enjoy ABC Radio Australia’s full suite of Pacific-focused news, music, sport and cultural programming including Pacific Beat, Nesia Daily, Climate Mana, Culture Compass, Pacific Pulse, Pacific Soul, Stories from the Pacific, Fresh Off The Field , Nesian Footy, Island Music, Sista Sounds and more.
Broadcasting to our Pacific Island neighbours via the SW band would eliminate the risk that information produced by RA contrary to the views of the host nation being "cut" by switching off the FM retransmitter.
At the same time, the presence of soft diplomacy via RA increases the likelihood that our Pacific Island neighbours are not influenced and dominated by other nations' interests.
Thank you
Anthony, Strathfield South in the land of the Wangal and Darug Peoples of the Eora Nation