Australia to Beam TV Shows and Bolster News in Pacific Australia has announced plans to expand its television broadcasting reach and enhance news coverage in the Pacific region. The initiative aims to strengthen cultural ties, foster information sharing, and support media diversity in neighboring countries. As part of the plan, Australia will launch a new free-to-air television channel called “PacificAus TV” that will beam popular Australian shows and documentaries to audiences across the Pacific. The channel will feature a diverse range of content, including family entertainment, drama, comedy, and news. Additionally, Australia will invest in training and capacity building for journalists in the Pacific. The “Pacific Media Assistance Scheme” will provide opportunities for local reporters to develop their skills, access professional development programs, and establish partnerships with Australian media organizations. The initiative aims to address the challenges faced by Pacific media outlets, which often lack funding and resources. By providing support, Australia hopes to empower local journalists to produce high-quality and independent news coverage. Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the program was “an important investment in our region” that would “connect Australians and Pacific Islanders through shared stories and information.” The Pacific Aus TV channel is expected to launch later this year, and the media assistance scheme will begin rolling out in the coming months. The initiatives are part of Australia’s broader commitment to supporting the resilience and prosperity of the Pacific region. The expansion of television broadcasting and news coverage is seen as a positive step towards fostering closer ties between Australia and its Pacific neighbors. It will provide Pacific audiences with access to diverse content and enable them to participate more fully in regional and global conversations.Australia’s beloved television shows, ranging from “Lego Masters” to “Home and Away,” will now reach viewers across the Indo-Pacific region as part of the federal government’s efforts to strengthen ties with the area.Australia’s beloved television shows, ranging from “Lego Masters” to “Home and Away,” will now reach viewers across the Indo-Pacific region as part of the federal government’s efforts to strengthen ties with the area. The Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy aims to expand the availability of news and media content by providing funding to organizations in the region and enhancing the capacity of Australian outlets to report on regional affairs. The government has allocated $40.5 million over five years to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) to create new content, improve digital engagement, and provide support to partners in the Pacific, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. An additional $28.4 million will be provided to PacificAus TV to bolster the viability of regional media and increase access to Australian commercial TV programs. This plan aligns with the government’s broader strategy of utilizing all aspects of its national power, including diplomacy, economic efforts, and military strength, in response to regional geopolitical uncertainties. Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized the significance of these investments in conveying Australia’s narrative. “Media plays a critical role in amplifying the voices and perspectives of our region and strengthening democracy,” she stated. “The government is dedicated to supporting viable, resilient, and independent media in the region by deepening media connections and sharing content that fosters a richer understanding of modern, multicultural Australia.” The Commonwealth will also establish an Indo-Pacific media fund to assist organizations in the region. One of the first beneficiaries will be the Australian Associated Press (AAP), which will receive resources to facilitate training and access to news content in the Pacific. According to AAP CEO Lisa Davies, the funding will enable the organization to appoint a Pacific editor. “AAP has a long and esteemed history of working in the Pacific,” she said. “We are thrilled to seize this opportunity to partner with more media outlets in the region to offer training and access to our trustworthy, independent journalism.” These initiatives follow the federal government’s announcement of $6.4 million to enhance financial security in the Pacific and maintain banking services. It also pledged $40 million on Wednesday to support aviation and connectivity in Tuvalu.Australia will broadcast free-to-air TV shows to Pacific island nations and strengthen news coverage under a funding boost. The Australian government has announced it will provide $7.4 million to expand the reach of the Australia Network and boost the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme. The Australia Network is a public broadcasting service that provides news, current affairs, and entertainment programming to 49 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The Pacific Media Assistance Scheme provides training and support to journalists and media organisations in the Pacific. The funding boost will allow the Australia Network to expand its reach to more Pacific island nations, including Nauru, Tuvalu, and Kiribati. It will also allow the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme to provide more training and support to journalists and media organisations in the region. The announcement was made at the Pacific Islands Forum in Tuvalu. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the funding boost would help to strengthen ties between Australia and the Pacific region. “This funding will help to ensure that people in the Pacific have access to high-quality news and information,” she said. “It will also help to build the capacity of local journalists and media organisations, which is essential for a free and independent press.” The funding boost was welcomed by Pacific island leaders. Tuvaluan Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga said the funding would help to improve the quality of news and information available to Pacific island people. “This funding will make a real difference to the lives of Pacific island people,” he said. “It will help us to stay connected with the world and to make informed decisions about our future.”