MEMBER PRESS RELEASE

ABC Radio Australia returns to the Republic of Palau

5th July 2023
The ABC’s return has continued the trend of the public broadcaster extending its reach across the Pacific, after deals were either struck or renewed with the national broadcasters of Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands, Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea. 
ABC Pacific homepage. Credit: Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
ABC Pacific homepage. Credit: Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
This press release was originally published on ABC.

ABC Radio Australia will be heard in the Republic of Palau for the first time in more than five years.

Under a new Memorandum of Understanding, ABC Radio Australia programs will be carried on the Republic of Palau’s national radio broadcaster, Eco Paradise FM (EPFM).

The signing was attended by Palau Minister of State, the Hon. Gustav Aitaro and the Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon. Pat Conroy.

Read more: Public media expands reach and services for the Pacific

ABC International Services Head Claire Gorman acknowledged the support of the Australian Embassy in Koror for brokering the agreement and said: “This new partnership is a first step towards the aim of establishing a full FM radio service in Palau, an ABC initiative funded under the Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy.”

Gorman continued:  “The ABC is proud to partner with EPFM and has a long history of engagement with Palau, including the provision of ABC Australia content on Palau National Communication Corporation’s (PNCC) television service.”

ABC Radio Australia has recently increased its Pacific-focused content and under the agreement, Palau residents will have access to programming including flagship regional current affairs show Pacific Beat as well as culture, education and music shows Stories from the Pacific, Pacific Playtime and Island Music.

ABC Radio Australia is available via EPFM on FM radio at 87.9FM and on EPFM Ngerel Belau AM Radio at 1584AM from Wednesday 28 July 2023.