ABC pulls plug on shortwave broadcasting to the Pacific.

After 80 years of shortwave broadcasting to the Pacific region, the ABC has pulled the plug on what it calls an out dated service. It will be replaced by online and FM Radio via partner stations in the Islands.Report packaged by Stefan Armbruster.

Shortwave Radio Source: ABC Australia

The end of an era -- 80 years of A-B-C shortwave radio broadcasts into the Pacific -- is being criticised as a diplomatic misstep.

 

For more than 10-million people in the region, it has been a highly-valued service, especially during natural disasters and political upheavals.

 

The A-B-C is pulling the plug on what it calls an out-dated service (tue jan 31) -- replacing it with online streaming and F-M radio.

 

 

PACKAGE:

 

f3057aSFX RADIO AUST 110s

"After the 31st of January, Radio Australia will no longer broadcast in shortwave…"

 

Shortwave radio is old -- but simple and reliable -- technology for reaching even the remotest parts of the Pacific.

 

It's considered a life-saver, especially when nature strikes with cyclones, flooding or earthquakes that destroy local communications infrastructure.