The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has stepped in to give all Australians, no matter where they are, access to this year’s Anzac Day commemorations, with extensive coverage across its radio, television, digital and social media platforms.
Announcing its plans, the ABC said COVID-19 had disrupted this year’s Anzac Day events with Returned and Services League (RSL) venue closed and Anzac Day marches and international services cancelled.
It said it had worked closely with the RSL, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Australian War Memorial to ensure Australians can connect with the key national commemoration services as well as some of their local RSL services.
Managing Director of the ABC, David Anderson said the broadcaster had always been a focal point for Anzac Day coverage, but with Australians isolated in their homes, this year’s coverage had taken on particular significance.
“This year, the many thousands of Australians who would normally attend their national, State or local remembrance services will not be able to do so,” Mr Anderson said.
“On Anzac Day, we invite all Australians to connect through the ABC – from their driveways, balconies, front gates and farm gates or from their loungerooms – or wherever they may be.”
He said that in addition to the national commemorative service starting at 5.30am local time, the ABC will broadcast a two-minute, quiet reflection at 11.30am local time on its national and local radio services, on its main television channel, on the ABC News channel, ABC iView and across social media.
The address by the Governor-General, David Hurley, will be broadcast on the ABC main channel at 6.55 pm local time, on ABC Radio at 7.05pm local time (5.05pm WA) and on the ABC News channel from 7.00am (AEST) and replayed across the day.
Local services from Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart, Sydney and Townsville will be covered by their respective ABC capital city or regional radio station.
Mr Anderson said Anzac Day marches from 2019 would be available on ABC iview from Friday, April 24, and the centenary commemorative services from Gallipoli (2015) and Villers-Bretonneux (2018) will be rebroadcast from 12.30pm on 25 April on the ABC’s main channel.
Details on the ABC’s coverage of Anzac Day 2020 can be found at this PS News link.
