Reconciliation and Social Justice Library

Recognition Rights and Reform - MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS

6.89 The establishment of a viable broadcasting and communications infrastructure is a vital element in the promotion and protection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural identities, and in ensuring equitable access of indigenous peoples to culturally appropriate media and communications services.

6.90 As a general rule the mainstream media has not served indigenous people well in terms of representation or in providing culturally relevant services. The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody highlighted the following indigenous media issues:

· frequent misrepresentation and sensationalisation of indigenous issues;

· swamping of local cultures with non indigenous content and values;

· the importance of an indigenous voice in the media, and

· the need for culturally relevant alternatives to mainstream services.

6.91 Cultural Restoration, Preservation and Growth- The introduction of indigenous broadcasting facilities such as the Broadcasting for Remote Aboriginal Communities Scheme (BRACS) and regional community broadcasting services have demonstrated their worth to the social and cultural welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in those communities that they serve.

6.92 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander controlled broadcasting and communications services provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with the means to:

· recognise and preserve their languages as important means of communications;

· produce linguistically and culturally relevant programs;

· reinforce and promote their cultural identities through, for example, recording of oral histories and ceremonial activities;

· disseminate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander news and current affairs;

· foster general community awareness of their cultures through production of material for use by mainstream media;

· enhance self image; and

· allow cost effective access to distance education programs, to tele-medicine and to other innovative programs, such as community-based parole schemes.

6.93 Consultations: Consultations highlighted the need for the mainstream media to be more sensitive to issues in indigenous affairs. There were also calls for the strengthening of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-controlled media. Apart from its contribution to promoting cultural identity it was thought that an indigenous media had a particular role to play in public education and awareness programs.

6.94 Submissions to the Advisory Committee highlighted two related media and communications initiatives.

6.95 A National Radio Network: The National Indigenous Media Association of Australia (NIMAA) has leased a satellite channel since July 1994 which has capacity to deliver national radio and news services to regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community radio stations and over 90 non-indigenous community radio stations.

6.96 A National Remote Area Broadband Video-conferencing Network: A detailed submission on a proposed national video conferencing network was submitted by Tanami Network Pty Ltd on behalf of 60 remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

6.97 The proposed National Remote Area Broadband Network would be capable of carrying video-conferencing and other services, such as electronic banking and access to agency databases. Benefits for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities include:

· Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander control over the development of their communications media leads to increased effectiveness of them;

· improved medium for social and ceremonial communication and for communication with service providers-increased self-determination opportunities;

· increased (post-primary) education and training access and opportunities;

· increased employment opportunities (both on Network and indirectly); and

· improved continuity of contact with health, social welfare and legal service providers.

RECOMMENDATION 95.

The Commonwealth Government should expand opportunities by ensuring an equitable distribution of resources within mainstream communication appropriations for:

a. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in mainstream broadcasting media;

b. access to locally controlled media and communications systems Including the Improvement and expansion of facilities to broadcast and rebroadcast In their own communities; and

c. Increased production by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of their own linguistically and culturally relevant programs.

RECOMMENDATION 96.

The Commonwealth Government should:

a. encourage the development of codes and policies relating to the presentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issues as recommended by the Royal Commission Into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody; and

b. ensure Indigenous representation on the Boards of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Special Broadcasting Service.

RECOMMENDATION 97.

The Commonwealth Government should:

a. support the Introduction of national Indigenous media and communications infrastructure Including a National Radio Network and a National Remote Area Broadband Network; and

b. ensure that the opportunities presented by the emerging "Information superhighway" are fully explained and, following negotiation, extended and appropriately adapted to the needs of Indigenous communities.