The central purpose of the public broadcaster’s plan, published on Friday, is to ensure the ABC remains relevant, delivers value for Australians, and continues to be the most trusted media organisation in the country. The outline sets out the priorities for the broadcaster over the next five years to deliver this outcome and ensure that it continues to have an essential role in Australian life.
According to the public broadcaster’s plan, the core mission is to be the home of trusted and independent news and information, to tell distinctive Australian stories, to entertain the nation across all ages and to celebrate Australian culture.
But with the rapid changes to technology that influences audience behaviour and transforms the media market and society, the broadcaster has had to adapt and evolve.
Over the next five years, the public broadcast said it will “undergo a significant transition from maintaining both traditional broadcast and digital processes towards becoming an integrated digital operation. While broadcast will remain important, this Five-Year Plan is a first step to build an ABC that is prepared for a digital-majority audience.”
“The ABC will enhance its primary digital products, ABC News, ABC iview and ABC listen, to provide a seamless, personalised service that enables audiences to more easily discover content that is relevant to them.”
The public broadcaster said their outlook for the next five years reaffirms their commitment to a culture of inclusion and diversity, and the imperative to better reflect contemporary Australia.
ABC managing director David Anderson said the next stage of the strategy means the public broadcaster will meet changing audience needs while maintaining the commitment to quality, relevance, independence and its role as Australia’s most trusted media organisation.
“By 2028, the ABC will serve more Australians on the platform of their choice with made-for-digital content and journalism on ABC News, ABC iview, ABC listen and on major third-party platforms.”
“Australians trust and value the ABC and this will not change. As we move through this period of digital evolution, Australians can continue to rely on us for the content and services that inform, educate and entertain,” he said.
“Our audiences can be assured we will safeguard traditional broadcast services as long as these remain essential for keeping Australians informed and entertained. As Australia changes, so must the ABC.
“This means changing to meet the needs of our audiences wherever they live. We will continue to serve all Australians, contribute to our national identity and remain an essential part of daily life,” Anderson added.
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Top image: David Anderson