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Indigenous broadcasting Review

The Gillard Government has announced a review of investment in the Indigenous broadcasting and media sector.

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The Gillard Government has announced details of a review of its investment in the Indigenous broadcasting and media sector.

The independent review, announced by Minister for the Arts, Peter Garrett, will look at government funding for NITV and Imparja Television, as well as supporting Indigenous Community Television, and relevant community radio stations.

The government recently extended funding to NITV for another 12 months after the indigenous broadcaster signalled it would be forced to stop broadcasting.

“We want to make sure that Indigenous Australians continue to have a strong voice in the media, that the sector contributes to employment opportunities and ensures access to information for Indigenous Australians,” Garrett said.

“This will be an independent review of the Government’s funding of Indigenous broadcasting carried out in consultation with the sector and the public.

The review will be headed up by Neville Stevens AO with Laurie Patton and Kerrynne Liddle as panellists.

Senator Stephen Conroy, said it will also look at other Australian Government investment in the sector.

“This includes the ABC, SBS and the Community Broadcasting Foundation. These organisations make a substantial contribution to the production and distribution of Indigenous broadcasting content, but fall outside the $14.5 million Indigenous Broadcasting Program,” Conroy said.

“The review must take into account the many changes taking place in the delivery of broadcast media, such as the switch to digital-only television and the introduction of the broadband network.

“These changes will bring new opportunities to all media including the Indigenous media sector.”

The terms of reference are to:
· consider the specific policy and cultural outcomes for Indigenous Australians to be realised through the Australian Government’s investment in Indigenous broadcasting and media;
· consider and make recommendations on the most efficient, effective appropriate forms of the Australian Government’s investment;
· consider the impact of media convergence on the Indigenous broadcasting and media sector and the carriage of Indigenous broadcasting and media on new digital platforms, including terrestrial services, broadband enabled platforms and the new Government-funded satellite service;
· identify the contribution of Indigenous broadcasting to Closing the Gap;
· assess future options for funding the delivery of Indigenous broadcasting and media in light of future challenges and opportunities and uncertainly about the sustainability of existing funding models and taking into account regional and cultural language requirements;
· develop a robust performance framework for the Indigenous broadcasting and media sector; and
· assess the options for the most efficient, effective and appropriate arrangements within the Australian Government for the administration of Indigenous broadcasting and media.

The review is expected to be completed by 31 December 2010.

2 Responses

  1. The government must get NITV broadcast terrestrially across Australia. Maori TV can be received by almost all New Zealanders, NITV should be no different in Australia, allowing indigenous people to see their own programmes and exposing others to indigenous culture. Unfortunately, I think the different situations in NZ and Australia reflect pretty accurately the much poorer state of race relations in Australia.

  2. The problem with NITV atm is there a paytv audience and limited exposure on FTA Sat services. They need a new way to delivery content via podcasting videos and stuff

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