The following was received from the ABC Alumni (posted early April), providing information on an important ABC initiative; The Pacific.  This is after almost a decade in which most of Australia's public broadcasting was withdrawn from the Pacific region.  At a time when there is so much discussion over military expenditure, there is an ever important role for soft diplomacy in the Asia/Pacific region.

Dear Northern Tablelands,

One very ‘good news’ story coming out of the ABC just now is the renaissance of ABC International.  
 
Whether you’ve always been interested in the international service or never paid it much attention, the geopolitical unrest in our region is a good time to find out what’s happening now. 
 
We have just published a highly informative essay-length story – ABC International spreads its wings: a dove among the hawks – on the Alumni website, coinciding with the premiere tonight of ABC Australia’s new The Pacific TV program, which will air domestically and on the international service. 
 
Read the article here: 
https://abcalumni.net/2023/04/05/abc-international-spreads-its-wings/ 
 
As Alumni Deputy Chair Helen Grasswill lays out, this new TV program heralds a range of new initiatives which have been made possible by the additional $32 million over 4 years ($8 million per year) grant to ABC International from the government’s Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy. However, we believe there is a very strong case – based on historical experience and current events – for the government to consider allocating further funding, including the redirection of some government monies for international broadcasting which are currently going to the commercial sector. 

Put it on your Easter reading list and please share it with your friends and contacts! 
 
Meanwhile, here are the airtimes for The Pacific: 

• on the international ABC Australia service, Thursdays at 7pm, commencing 6 April 
• in Australia at 9:30pm Thursdays on ABC News, and on Fridays at 10:30am on ABC TV 
• It can also be seen on iview after the first airing tomorrow night.  
• To see the promo, click here. 

We wish you all a happy and safe Easter break. 
 
Directors, ABC Alumni