ABC

Inaugural Pacific Australia Media Leaders Meeting

The ABC Managing Director David Anderson and Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) President and National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) Papua New Guinea Managing Director Kora Nou hosted 27 CEOs, managing directors and editors from media houses in 12 countries across the Pacific. Australian attendees included leadership representatives from First Nations media, commercial free-to-air and print media, independent and public broadcasters.​

Samoa Chef de Mission encouraged by first ever-Pacific podcast workshop

Speaking to the female sports journalist participants, Nynette Sass took the advantage to discuss any queries about the regional event.

“Samoa is ready to host the games and we are on to the final stages of preparing every place reserved for the games and we are glad to hosting this year’s Pacific Games,” Sass said.

She also highlighted the importance of women’s participation in any aspects of the Games.

China takes up Australia's former radio space in Pacific

In response to budget cuts, the ABC last year ceased shortwave broadcasting in the Asia-Pacific region ahead of a switch to FM transmission.

Australia-based technology observer Peter Marks told Radio ABC's Tech Headprogramme that since that withdrawal, the space was swiftly being filled.

"Since Radio Australia has dropped off shortwave, many of the exact frequencies we used to use have been now taken over by Chinese stations targetting the Asia Pacific region," he explained.

Australian senate rejects bill to restore ABC shortwave

The bill would have required the ABC to restore its shortwave transmission services which the broadcaster ended in January this year.

This move was described in the bill as having deprived communities in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and other parts of the Pacific of access to reliable emergency broadcasting.

Submitters of the bill questioned the ABC's assertions that very few listeners accessed Radio Australia's shortwave service.

Bananas in Pyjamas celebrate 25 years of chasing teddies

ABC TV's Bananas in Pyjamas is celebrating 25 years, and to mark the occasion the Royal Australian Mint has launched a commemorative coloured coin set.

The 20 cent and 5 cent pieces feature images of the twin Bananas and Rat-in-a-Hat.

"It's the first time we've had colour on a 5 cent piece," Mint CEO Ross MacDiarmid said.

The Bananas in Pyjamas first aired on Australian television in 1992 as a live-action series featuring B1 and B2 and teddy bears Lulu, Morgan and Amy.

ABC opposes bill to restore Pacific shortwave service

RNZI reports the bill was introduced by South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon after the ABC switched off its shortwave transmitters in late January.

The ABC is opposed to the bill and said in its submission that its passing would impinge on its independence by directing the ABC to use broadcast technologies for diminishing audiences and at significant maintenance costs.

The ABC also said that in the bill there were factual errors and misconceptions, including the figures for the actual cost of the services.

Ballarat keeps Doctor Blake alive as ABC kills off crime series

Locals and tourists alike crane past barriers to get a glimpse of the filming for ABC TV's The Doctor Blake Mysteries.

But not this year.

The soon-to-be-aired fifth season of the murder mystery drama will be the last after the ABC announced the cancellation of the show earlier in the year.

Set in Ballarat in the 1950s, The Doctor Blake Mysteries follow the travails of a country doctor and his housekeeper who are drawn in to solve crimes that often stump the local police.

French church attacker identified as 19-year-old who was stopped joining jihadists in Syria

Mr Molins said 19-year-old Adel Kermiche was under house arrest and wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet at the time of the attack.

Kermiche and an unknown accomplice, armed with knives, stormed the church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray on Tuesday, taking hostage 86-year-old priest Father Jacques Hamel, three nuns and two worshippers.

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Russian warship made 'unprofessional' manoeuvre near US Navy ship

This is the second time the same Russian vessel has come within close proximity of a US Navy ship this month.

On June 17, the Yaroslav Mudryy came within 288 metres of the USS Gravely, an incident US officials called "unsafe and unprofessional", but which the Russian Defence Ministry disputed.

Recent months have seen a number of similar Cold War-style incidents at sea and in the air, with each country's military accusing the other of dangerous approaches in international waters and airspace.

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Four Corners crew avoid charges

Four Corners reporter Linton Besser and cameraman Louie Eroglu had questioned Mr Najib during a public event in Kuching over a corruption scandal, and police had claimed they had crossed a security cordon — an allegation they deny.

Last night, Besser and Eroglu were told they would likely be charged with obstructing a public servant in the discharge of their duties.