Abstrakt: |
China's influence on Pacific media, including in countries like Solomon Islands, is growing through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative. China has funded the training of Pacific journalists, provided financial support for infrastructure, and offered syndicated content to local media. There are concerns that this funding comes with strings attached, potentially compromising the independence of Pacific media outlets. Despite this, Pacific islanders still overwhelmingly rely on and trust Australian media, particularly the ABC. The Australian government has pledged funding to boost Australia's security efforts in the region and support the ABC's international division. However, challenges such as limited resources and inexperienced journalists still exist in Pacific media. It is crucial for Australian media to maintain a presence in the Pacific to provide unbiased information and support local media. [Extracted from the article] |