Independent research commissioned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has found the people of Australia turned to the national broadcaster in record numbers during summer’s bushfire crisis.
The researchers found that not only was the ABC the most trusted information source about the bushfire, it saved lives as a result of people acting on the information it provided.
The ABC’s research was submitted to the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements which is responding to the extreme bushfire season of 2019-20.
Managing Director of the ABC, David Anderson said the broadcaster’s role in providing a rolling source of information was crucial in allowing people to be informed and aware of danger, to make plans, and in evacuating.
“At the height of the bushfire crisis (31 December – 14 January) ABC Sydney and ABC NSW local radio produced 296 hours of rolling/continuous fire coverage, ABC Gippsland 134 hours, and ABC Melbourne 83 hours,” Mr Anderson said.
“Over that same period, the ABC undertook emergency broadcasting for over 200 emergency events across the country.”
He said that for many people, when digital and telecommunications failed in bushfire-impacted areas, ABC Local Radio was the only medium to access timely information that helped people survive.
“Importantly, it was also found that the ABC is pivotal in supporting bushfire recovery at all levels of the Australian community,” Mr Anderson said.
“This research confirms the ABC’s fundamentally important role in delivering those critical services to the Australian public,” he said.
“We are fully committed to protecting and investing in our emergency broadcasting to ensure we continue to deliver a service of the highest quality and accessible to everyone.”
