Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) and Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) International hosted the 2024 edition of the Pacific Media Partnership Conference (PMPC) in the Brisbane on April 29 and 30.

The PMPC is an opportunity to harness the collective wisdom and experience of the region’s most experienced broadcasters and the resources of the world’s biggest broadcasting union to map a path forward.  Attendees worked together on a host of practical issues with workshops, masterclasses, expert guests and working groups, plus formal and informal networking.

On the agenda were discussions on story sovereignty, journalism in an age of social media, emergency broadcasting, and what the region needs in its next generation of media leaders.

Delegates issued the following communique at the end of the conference:

In the lead up to World Press Freedom Day on May 3, this meeting of Pacific broadcasters in Brisbane calls on governments and organisations across the Pacific to acknowledge the important work done by journalists and to commit to helping their local newsrooms provide timely and accurate information.

 Accurate and factual information empowers audiences and informs decision making. It enhances community understanding and development. World Press Freedom Day is an opportunity to reflect on the important role of media freedom in supporting the public good with facts.

 This year, UNESCO has dedicated World Press Freedom Day to highlighting the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis. It notes misinformation and disinformation about environmental issues can undermine public and political support for climate action, effective policies and efforts to protect vulnerable communities.

 Withholding information is as threatening to democracy and good governance as misinformation. This meeting of Pacific broadcasters appeals to all those in positions of power and authority, who lead governments, institutions, businesses and community organisations – to actively support journalists in their work so that the media can fulfil its role in supporting the development and protection of our communities.

 This meeting of Pacific broadcasters also calls for support in addressing the following priority areas as part of a shared Pacific vision:

 Sustainable financial models for national broadcasters

• The urgent digitalisation of media archives documenting cultural heritage.
• Investment in training and development and support for the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation’s initiative to establish a regional Multimedia Training Hub at its Suva headquarters.
• The importance of strengthening and coordinating emergency broadcasting to ensure support in the event of a major disaster.

 The broadcasters noted the value of continuing to gather annually at the ABU’s Pacific Media Partners Conference (PMPC) and commended the ABU for their ongoing commitment to Pacific members. The broadcasters look forward to the PMPC in 2025, to be hosted by FBC in Fiji and the ABC’s commitment to continue to support this valuable annual event. The conference makes a substantial contribution to information sharing, professional development, coordination, collaboration and solidarity amongst Pacific media in these uncertain and challenging times.