Government announces $15m for Indigenous community channel
The Federal Government has announced $15.4m worth of funding for the Indigenous Broadcasting Program that includes funding for a community TV channel.
Launched in 1987, the IBP supports indigenous broadcasters across Australia and includes metro, regional and remote community radio stations, remote Indigenous media organisations, training providers, Imparja Television and Indigenous Community Television.
The latest round of funding will see the creation of an Indigenous Community Television satellite channel on Viewer Access Satellite Television.
The move comes just weeks after the announcement by the Government that SBS would receive $158m to turn NITV into a national free-to-air Indigenous network.
Stephen Conroy, the minister for broadband, communication and digital economy said: “The 2012-13 IBP funding provides support to 55 broadcasting projects across Australia, including those that broadcast into Remote Indigenous Communities. These projects provide an essential service to Indigenous communities, helping to maintain Indigenous language and cultural development, as well as promoting important health and education messages.”
“The new Indigenous Community Television channel on VAST gives indigenous communities across Australia certainty that their voices will continue to be heard. This new channel, to be carried by Imparja, will provide culturally appropriate and locally relevant indigenous content.”
