Issues raised in evidence
Introduction
2.1
This chapter discusses the issues raised in evidence in relation to the
cessation of both international and domestic shortwave radio services by the Australian
Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Issues relating to specific provisions of the
bill and the independence of the ABC are also discussed.
2.2
The committee's views on the bill are provided at the end of this
chapter.
Cessation of international shortwave services
2.3
The committee received a number of submissions which raised concerns
about the impact of the cessation of the ABC's international shortwave services.
These concerns included the perceived neglect of remote communities in the
Pacific; the loss of capacity for emergency warning broadcasts; and the potential
loss of an avenue for diplomacy and the pursuit of Australia's regional
interests in the Pacific. Submitters also disputed the ABC's argument that
other technologies now available provide greater access to ABC international broadcasts.
Perceived neglect of remote communities in the Pacific
2.4
It was argued in evidence that the ABC's decision to cease shortwave
services did not reflect the continuing importance of shortwave for communities
in remote and isolated areas in the Pacific.[1]
Submitters pointed to the limited opportunities for some communities to access
radio broadcasts through the internet, mobile phones and via FM transmissions.
2.5
The Pacific Freedom Forum, for example, commented that 'from the Western
border of Papua New Guinea, across the PNG highlands and islands, in all but
the main centres in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, in Fiji and beyond, people
rely on shortwave'.[2]
Mr Graeme Dobell, a journalist fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy
Institute (ASPI), highlighted that for the people of the South Pacific,
shortwave radio is not outdated technology but 'cheap, low tech, resilient,
vital in emergencies, and still used beyond the cities'.[3]
2.6
Mr Roger Cragg commented particularly on the use of shortwave in Papua
New Guinea and stated:
Short Wave is still the only cost effective method of
covering 100% of the population in PNG, the majority of whom live in very
remote areas and because of the incredible mountainous terrain, cannot possibly
be covered by a VHF broadcast service. Certainly, given a great deal of money,
anywhere in the world can have a satellite service, but the grass roots people
of PNG do not have money. But they do have battery powered Short Wave receivers
and replacement batteries can easily be purchased at the local Trade Store.[4]
2.7
Similarly, Mr David Alford, a former broadcast technician, stated that
the international target areas for shortwave transmission were:
...mostly pacific islands where infrastructure and information
availability [can] be poor or non-existent. The availability of power can be
erratic in these island nations and susceptible to storm/natural disasters
however with a battery powered radio, transmissions are able to be heard and
vital information conveyed...[5]
2.8
Other technologies were seen as providing less available and reliable
services in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific. The journalist and commentator
Dr Alexandra Wake stated that 'in remote places in the Pacific,
particularly in Melanesian nations such as Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the
Solomon Islands, there is no access to an FM signal, limited internet and,
where internet is available, it is expensive'.[6]
It was also stated that, in many areas, FM signals are delivered through low
power FM transmitters which have very limited range and are vulnerable to
extreme weather events.[7]
2.9
Submitters also questioned the ABC's assertions that very few listeners
accessed Radio Australia's shortwave service. Mr Nigel Holmes, for example,
argued that 'the ABC has actually, disingenuously, engineered a decline in
listenership' by reducing the number of shortwave transmitters and frequencies
used, which meant listeners have greater difficulty accessing shortwave and
thus 'tune out'.[8]
Response to concerns
2.10
The ABC responded to concerns about access to its broadcasts following
cessation of shortwave transmissions. The ABC noted that audience behaviour has
changed with many listeners using technologies other than shortwave, for
example, internet streaming, FM transmissions and radio streamed via mobile phone.[9]
The ABC cited research which indicated that in Papua New Guinea, FM remains the
dominant waveband. In addition, the ABC noted that mobile coverage across Fiji,
Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu has jumped from less than half of the
population in 2005 to 93 per cent in 2014, the cost of mobile calls declined by
one third between 2005 and 2014, and international internet bandwidth jumped
over 1500 per cent between 2007 and 2014.[10]
2.11
The ABC's data on audience reach in the Pacific reflects these changes.
Mr Michael Millet, Head of Government Relations at the ABC, commented:
...in 2016 ABC Online received more than 5½ million visits and
nearly 12 million page views from audiences in the Pacific across mobile
and web. Radio Australia and Australia Plus Pacific Facebook accounts have more
than 64,000 followers. Radio Australia has 2.1 million podcasts downloaded from
the region, including 191,000 for the Pacific Beat program.[11]
2.12
In addition, the ABC noted a citizen access report in Papua New Guinea
published in June 2014 which stated that there was a 50 per cent decline in
shortwave listenership from 2012 to 2014.[12]
2.13
In support of its view that shortwave was no longer a primary means of
accessing broadcasts, the ABC stated that it had received very few complaints
following the cessation of the international shortwave service.[13]
Mr David Hua, Head of International Audience Strategy, commented that feedback
received by the ABC indicated that 'there had been no impact from the cessation
of shortwave services' with Radio Australia being received via FM transmissions.[14]
2.14
The ABC also provided information on the data gathering methods it used
to determine the size of its shortwave audience in the Pacific. Mr Hua stated
that the figure was hard to determine because listeners live in areas that are
difficult to survey.[15]
Mr Hua also stated that 'it would probably be more costly to do a very
comprehensive survey than to provide the service itself—so we have to make some
best estimates about this and look at global trends'.[16]
2.15
In light of the declining shortwave audience share, the ABC commented
that it was a suitable juncture to end shortwave services and to rethink its
international audience engagement strategy.[17]
However, Mr Millett stated that 'changes in distribution should not be
interpreted as a withdrawal from the region'.[18]
Rather, the ABC is changing its engagement and content delivery strategies to
match audience trends. Mr Millett went on to state:
We are developing a new international strategy that
recognises these trends and provides a better service to the region, harnessing
the strength of Radio Australia and programs like Pacific Beat.[19]
2.16
Ms Michelle Guthrie, Managing Director, ABC, informed the committee at
the May 2017 Budget Estimates that the ABC is 'looking at a number of different
ways of making sure that our transmissions are effectively received across the
Pacific'.[20]
Mr Hua provided further details of the expansion of FM transmission in Papua
New Guinea and commented that three new transmitter towers will be located in
Bougainville, Mount Hagen and Goroka.[21]
Loss of capacity for emergency
warning broadcasts
2.17
Submitters raised concerns that, with the loss of shortwave services,
crucial emergency warnings would no longer be broadcast to domestic or Pacific
audiences.[22] It was noted that other forms of media such
as FM and digital services can be damaged or be unavailable during a time of
crisis because of power failures. In these circumstances, shortwave
transmissions from Australia can provide vital information that assists Pacific
island nations to prepare for, and respond to, emergencies.[23]
2.18
This view was supported by a range of submitters with knowledge of
conditions in the Pacific. The Hon Charlot Salwai, Prime Minister of the
Republic of Vanuatu, stated that removing the Radio Australia shortwave service
to Vanuatu 'could cost many, many lives in the likelihood of a major natural
disaster'.[24]
The Prime Minister went on to comment:
The cost of providing shortwave to our region (said to be
around A$2 million) is very small compared with the huge sums Australia
provides to Pacific countries after natural disasters. It could reasonably be
stated that Australia's shortwave service helps save Pacific lives and
taxpayers' money.[25]
2.19
The Prime Minister commented on the contribution of Radio Australia's
broadcasts during Cyclone Pam and stated that the reliable and comprehensive
early warnings and post-disaster information 'assisted communities to prepare
for, survive and recover from a terrible natural disaster'.[26]
Response to concerns
2.18
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) acknowledged that in
emergencies ABC shortwave services 'deliver warnings and updates, in complement
to national disaster warning systems'.[27]
However, DFAT reiterated that ABC weather broadcasts were never intended to act
as replacements for national warning systems. Mr Daniel Sloper, DFAT,
commented:
...the ABC broadcasts provided a complementary warning
capability there. Their capability relates to weather forecasting. They do not
actually broadcast emergency information—that is not part of their charter and
it is not part of the practice—but that complementary information is useful
sometimes.[28]
2.20
Mr Sloper went on to note that Australian development programs support
international disaster management officers and early warning systems that have
been determined by regional governments.[29]
2.21
The ABC, similarly, argued that while they have taken the opportunity to
broadcast weather warnings to the Pacific, it has never been the responsibility
of the ABC to do so. Mr Hua commented that the ABC undertakes emergency
coverage in the Pacific 'but we do not do emergency broadcast in the sense of
what the ABC does locally'.[30]
It was noted, for example, that during emergencies such as Cyclone Pam in
Vanuatu, Radio Australia directed audiences to local sources for on the ground
emergency information.[31]
Loss of avenue for diplomacy in the Pacific and Australia's regional
interests
2.22
A number of submitters contended that Australian broadcasting services
were an avenue for soft diplomacy in the Pacific.[32]
Submitters also pointed to the high regard for Radio Australia which was seen
as providing unbiased, independent news and public affairs broadcasts.[33]
The Pacific Freedom Forum commented:
The ABC's shortwave service is valued in the Pacific for its
independence and quality and for the role it plays in maintaining media
freedom. In a region in which it is all too common for governments to put
pressure on their own media or national broadcasters or to resort to
censorship, the ABC's dedication to the values of public service broadcasting
is an important role model.[34]
2.23
Concerns were also raised about the vulnerability of local transmissions
during instances of civil unrest or from government actions. Submitters pointed
to the closure of local ABC FM radio stations during the military coup in Fiji
in 2009.[35]
Mr Richard Wiltshire, for example, commented:
The vulnerability of future local Solomon Islands FM
transmitters to being switched off at will by governments – or even locally
sabotaged, means that they are less likely to allow objective reporting. It is
hard to imagine foreign governments accept critical international news
broadcasts from local transmitters, or even allowing SIBC to rebroadcast
Pacific Beat.[36]
2.24
However, submitters noted that governments cannot turn off shortwave
being broadcast from an offshore source.[37]
2.25
In terms of regional defence and security strategy goals, Mr Dobell
argued that the cessation of shortwave services contradicted other measures the
Australian government was implementing in the region to shore up its foreign
policy interests. These measures included expenditure of $3 billion to rebuild
the government of Solomon Islands and millions of dollars on aid for Papua New
Guinea.
Mr Dobell asserted that 'accurate news and information are vital to keeping
Pacific peoples informed and engaged'.[38]
2.26
Mr Dobell also contended that reducing avenues for Australia to export
cultural products puts soft diplomacy at risk.[39]
Mr Dobell drew attention to reports completed by ASPI and the British Council
which suggested cultural exports were an effective mechanism for influencing
foreign populations.[40]
2.27
These reports also highlighted that internationally a 'great game of the
airwaves' is being carried out in which competing powers vie for international
audiences.[41]
Some submitters echoed this argument, contending that Chinese shortwave
broadcasts of news and other information would fill the void left by the ABC,
and that consequently it was in Australia's interest to not only continue shortwave
broadcasts, but enhance content produced for international audiences.[42]
Response to concerns
2.28
The committee notes that the ABC has acknowledged previously the
importance of broadcasts for international audiences. The Managing Director of
the ABC, Ms Michelle Guthrie, discussed the ABC's capacity to wield soft power
in an address in August 2016. According to the press release on the ABC's
website, 'Ms Guthrie told an audience at the Lowy Institute that the ABC
is looking closely at strategies to increase its audience in China, Indonesia
and the Pacific, where there will be new content in English and Tok Pisin'.[43]
2.29
Ms Guthrie also stated that she believed the ABC's approach to soft
power was underpinned by its reputation for independence, rather than acting as
a medium for government opinion.[44]
Mr Millett reinforced this view and stated that:
One of the great assets the ABC has is that it is regarded as
an independent, quality news service. That is very good to distribute to the
region.[45]
2.30
The ABC responded to comments about soft power by emphasising that it is
the content of programs as well as the distribution of programs that is
important.[46]
Mr Millett stated:
The ABC is looking at how it best provides a service based on
its content and its many distribution platforms. Yes, we have made changes to
some of those distribution platforms. To an extent, it is about how we best get
the mix that provides the best service.[47]
2.31
Mr Millett explained that the ABC is developing an international
strategy with all content divisions are contributing to the international
service. Mr Millett added:
What we are doing with the new strategy is trying to leverage
the entire ABC to provide a bigger range of services. What we would like to do
is, in fact, provide iview and our main news service, once we can clear
contractual rights, to all our audiences in the region, which I think would be
a much better way. It provides a much broader range of services, and provides
the best of Australian content. We can leverage across our entire content
makers to provide services to the region...[48]
2.32
Specific allocation of ABC services to international audiences sits at
approximately $9.7 million per year.[49]
2.33
The ABC thus presented the case to the committee that, rather than a
cessation of services, the end of shortwave signifies a realignment of overall
strategy with organisation-wide content, and a renewed engagement by the
broadcaster with international audiences.
2.34
DFAT also provided evidence on soft power. Mr Andrew Byrne, First
Assistant Secretary, DFAT, stated that the ABC's broadcasts 'into the region contribute
to a broader perception of Australia as engaged in the Pacific and as a country
that cares about the Pacific...it is one of many elements, one of many factors,
that contribute towards a positive perception of Australia in the Pacific'.[50]
2.35
In its submission, DFAT stated that the ABC's services to the Pacific
advanced Australian public diplomacy and that it 'has strongly encouraged the
ABC to maintain broadcasts throughout the region that maintain quality of
service for Pacific audiences'.[51]
Mr Sloper informed the committee that DFAT 'left the decision about the
technology to the ABC' because DFAT does not have 'the expertise on the
particular technology'.[52]
2.36
Mr Sloper also commented that DFAT did not consider that coverage in most
of the region had been lost and added:
Our understanding is that the ABC is looking to further its
coverage through other technologies. Shortwave certainly has a certain coverage
that other technologies do not, but I do not think, in terms of projection of
information about Australia, that there is a significant drop-off.[53]
Cessation of the domestic shortwave services
2.37
The committee received submissions which raised concerns about the
impact on domestic audiences arising from the cessation of domestic shortwave
services. The concerns reflected those canvassed extensively in the committee's
inquiry into the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment (Rural and
Regional Advocacy) Bill 2015 and included that certain segments of the
Australian audience were being neglected in terms of the ABC's radio coverage,
and the reliability of shortwave emergency broadcasts in extreme weather events
such as cyclones.[54]
Issues raised in relation to the bill
2.38
Some submitters commented on the provisions of the bill and suggested
possible amendments to the bill.
Proposed subsection 27A(1)
2.39
With regard to the requirements for domestic services proposed under
subsection 27A(1) of the bill, Mr Stephen Dowding suggested making the
requirements more explicit to mandate that the towns of Katherine, Tennant
Creek and Alice Springs be the centres for local radio broadcasts. Mr Dowding
also suggested that the primary local radio programme in each centre be
broadcast over an area of 450km radially from each centre.[55]
Mr Alan Hughes advocated that the broadcast should extend to the territorial
limit, that is, up to 370 km from the shoreline.[56]
2.40
Another submitter suggested that the bill needed to incorporate a degree
of flexibility to 'optimise or improve the efficiency of the restored
services'.[57]
Specific measures proposed by this submitter included:
-
transmission of all services from Shepparton;
-
a reduced number of transmitters in the Northern Territory;
-
restoration of services from mothballed facilities; and
-
temporary contracting of a portion of the service provision from
an internationally located transmitter.[58]
2.41
Mr Dowding also suggested amendments which would require that the
program broadcast in each primary coverage area must be sourced from the ABC
Local Radio network as broadcast in the town at the centre of coverage area. As
a consequence, if Alice Springs and Tennant Creek shared the same programming,
one transmitter could be used to serve both coverage areas.[59]
Mr Dowding went on to comment that it was possible for the ABC to cover the
southern and central parts of the Northern Territory using a shortwave site
located interstate. He stated that 'given that both the Tennant Creek and Alice
Springs transmitters carry the same programme feed it is wasteful to have two
transmitters running provided thatn interstate-based service does not reduce
the service quality'.[60]
Proposed subsection 27A(2)
2.42
With regard to the proposed reinstatement of shortwave services to Papua
New Guinea and parts of the Pacific, Mr Dowding suggested the bill be amended
to specify the target countries and boundaries or to list the target countries.[61]
Mr Darryl Fallow similarly commented that the proposed requirement was 'a bit
"open"' as the bill does not specify which parts of the Pacific must
be served.[62]
In order to clarify this requirement, Mr Hughes suggested that the bill be
amended to require transmission to all International Telecommunications Union
Region 3 countries.[63]
2.43
Mr Fallow submitted that the bill should be amended to require that
three 'active' transmitters with appropriate frequencies be required to address
any ambiguity in the requirement.[64]
Sunset provision
2.44
One submitter, while supporting the proposed amendments, described the
amendments as 'extraordinary, in the circumstances, since they direct the ABC
in [a] manner not normally appropriate given its governance structure'. The
submitter, therefore, argued that the bill 'should also contemplate a mechanism
to remove the prescriptive nature of the direction of the amendments provide as
they will become overly restrictive and inappropriate once more considered
analysis of the evolution of these aspects of the ABC's broadcast services has
occurred'.[65]
ABC response to the bill
2.45
The ABC does not support the bill and argued that if passed, the bill
would impinge on its independence by directing it to utilise certain broadcast
technologies that have limited and diminishing audiences.[66]
The ABC went on to note that section 25 of the ABC Act makes it clear that
the ABC is responsible for managing its programs and services, including the
management of its transmissions services, without external interference.[67]
2.46
Mr Millett further explained the ABC's position and commented:
Legislation which overrides the board's responsibilities and
forces the corporation to commit to certain technologies which have limited
utility and forces it to do this over an extended period is at odds with that
charter mission. It denies the ABC the ability to use savings to deploy to
other technologies or to invest in new content.[68]
2.47
The ABC also highlighted that, should the bill be passed, there would be
significant consequences for the ABC.
-
The reconstitution of terminated transmission contracts—the ABC
noted that the former shortwave services were delivered by Broadcast Australia
International (BAI). Reinstatement of shortwave services would require the ABC
to negotiate new contracts 'at a commercial disadvantage' as the ABC would have
little choice but to accept the terms set out by BAI in order to fulfil the
requirements of the amendments.[69]
-
Transmission infrastructure—the ABC commented that it has no
oversight of BAI's international shortwave transmission facilities at
Shepparton and it is possible that the facilities have been decommissioned by
BAI 'due to the paucity of demand for shortwave transmitters and the equipment
repurposed for alternative transmission purposes'.[70]
-
Provision of costly shortwave broadcasts to diminishing audiences—the
ABC emphasised that it is expert in the field of broadcasting and should be
free to determine the best methods of transmitting its services and to be
responsive to technological and audiences changes. The reinstatement of
shortwave services would cost approximately $4 million per annum which require
funding to be divested from elsewhere, potentially at the expense of other ABC
programs and services.[71]
2.48
The ABC raised a number of issues in relation to the requirement in
proposed paragraph 27A(2)(c) that the ABC 'broadcasts programs in languages
appropriate for the countries to which they are broadcast'. It stated that the
proposed paragraph does not define which countries are to be covered by this
proposal nor does it recognise that some countries have numerous dialects.[72]
2.49
The ABC went on to comment:
Should the current Paragraph 27A(2)(c) be passed into law, it
would require the ABC to expend significantly more resources than it did or
currently does on servicing an unspecified international audience in their
"appropriate" language. With no additional funding, it is clear that
such an impost would, against the ABC's wishes, necessarily come at the expense
of the ABC's domestic audience.
The inclusion of Paragraph 27A(2)(c) also impinges upon the
ABC's independence to make programming decisions, prescribing not only the
technology utilised to broadcast Radio Australia programs to the audience, but
also imposing certain, albeit unspecified, content requirements on the
Corporation.[73]
Committee view
2.50
The committee is of the view that the measures proposed in this bill are
not an appropriate way to address the concerns raised by some submitters about
the cessation of the ABC's shortwave services.
2.51
In relation to the cessation of domestic shortwave services, the
committee considers that the recommendations made in its report on the
Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment (Rural and Regional Advocacy)
Bill 2015 will address many of the concerns raised by those living in rural and
regional communities. The committee also notes the ABC's commitment to the
delivery of improved services through the allocation of funding for up to 80
new content roles in regional Australia.[74]
2.52
Regarding concerns about the cessation of the international shortwave
service, the committee notes that the ABC is working to ensure its continued
presence in international broadcasting by developing a new international
strategy across all its content divisions. The ABC is also expanding the provision
of broadcasts through an array of technologies and investing in more FM transmitters
in Papua New Guinea. The new strategy will enable the ABC to align its services
to the way in which audiences access news, current affairs and other programs.
The committee supports the ABC's approach to ensuring that it remains a
recognisable source of independent, high quality broadcasting in Papua New
Guinea and the Pacific.
2.53
The committee acknowledges the concerns expressed by some submitters
that emergency broadcasts will no longer be received by certain domestic and
overseas audiences. However, it is not the sole responsibility of the ABC to
ensure that communities, especially communities outside Australia, are briefed
on weather warnings. Rather, this responsibility lies with government
authorities with ABC broadcasts serving as an alternative source of emergency
information.
2.54
The committee is also concerned that the measures in the bill would,
if enacted, impinge on the independence of the ABC and could lead to increased
costs. While the committee notes that the proposed amendments do not affect the
ABC's editorial independence, the committee is not convinced that dictating the
broadcaster's choice of technology is in line with the established tradition
and understanding of independence that has been fostered over many decades. The
ABC has made the decision to terminate its shortwave broadcasts, and is seeking
a modern and efficient way forward for the dissemination of content, which are
legitimate activities for the broadcaster to undertake.
2.55
The committee therefore does not support the bill. However, the
committee emphasises that it will continue to monitor developments in this
area. In particular, the committee's Senate estimates hearings will facilitate
ongoing scrutiny of the ABC's commitment to the delivery of improved services
to regional Australia and the effectiveness of the ABC's new international
strategy.
Recommendation 1
2.56
The committee recommends that the Senate not pass the bill.
Senator
Linda Reynolds CSC
Chair
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