A strengthened, connected and resilient media which upholds accountability is at the heart of Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited’s (PCBL) Regional News Development Programme, funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).
Partnering with 27 broadcasters, across 15 Pacific countries, PCBL delivers training in production, journalism, technical broadcasting equipment, infrastructure to share content from and between the Pacific, and supports high quality locally produced content.
Natasha Meleisea, Chief Executive Officer at PCBL says the new initiative is a result of lived experiences and ambitions of the Pacific broadcasters PCBL partners.
“Our News Development Programme will work to not only upskill but uplift and empower Pacific media to instantly and effectively report on natural disasters, and cover upcoming regional events, live,” Natasha said.
“We are delighted to welcome News Editor and Trainer Stefan Armbruster, an established Pacific journalist, to our PCBL aiga, to manage the initiative.
“As part of his role, Stefan will support a disaster preparedness programme, curate, manage incoming Pacific news bulletins via PacHub, provide editorial guidance and deliver associated news training to our broadcasters.”
Low capacity, limited funding and resources, as well as difficulties coordinating broadcasts across the region are just some of the challenges faced by Pacific media which PCBL is addressing in its next three years of work, Natasha adds.
“By providing training to our broadcasters, we are building their capabilities and contributing to the overarching media sustainability and disaster preparedness goals that the Pacific and New Zealand share,” she said.
“Meanwhile, the Regional News Development Programme will utilises PCBL’s PacHub network infrastructure, which enables distribution of first pictures in the aftermath of a natural disaster, and the use of LiveU technology can distribute live and real-time news and events.
“Embedded in the region, PacHub will enable our broadcasters to distribute coverage of significant regional events such as the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, Pre-COP Pacific-hosted meeting and COP31 in Türkiye.”
Over the next three years, PCBL will work to bring together Pacific broadcasters to deepen networks, address common challenges together, and enable the distribution of quality content to allow Pacific broadcasters to deliver a 24/7 service to their audiences.
