ABC hires 19 new producers
ACB will expand over the next 18 months with the hiring of 19 new online producers. The announcement:
The ABC is leading the way in engaging Australians in digital media with the employment of
19 new online producers in the next phase of the ABC Open initiative.
The ABC Open project, made possible through funding allocated to the ABC in the last
triennial funding round, has been developed to build the capacity of regional and rural
communities, to develop digital media storytelling skills and encourage their active
participation through ABC websites.“I am very pleased to announce that following an extensive recruitment process, our first crop
of 19 ABC Open producers has been selected and will take up their new positions based in
regional ABC studios across Australia,” Mr Scott said today.“With fast broadband approaching, it is important for the ABC to help develop the nation’s
digital media skills and this will begin with the rollout of this important project.
“This talented group, possessing backgrounds in photography, documentary film-making,
community development, journalism, radio and online, have the job of working with regions to
produce content. Their projects will involve ABC broadcast ‘partners’ such as a radio network
or TV channel.“The ABC is excited by this venture as it heralds the development of a new way of telling and
hearing Australian stories, uniting communities through their own voices.”
Joining the five Online State Editors who have already commenced, the ABC Open
producers will work from the ABC’s national network of Local radio stations and their
communities in regional Australia to produce a range of content, from photos, to audio, video
and text. The Open producers will be active in online communities, and also be running
workshops to help people develop skills in digital media.Initially the focus will be on the ABC Open website which from late August is the main
information source and gateway to the project. Each Open producer will develop a blog
connecting to their community and the site will seek feedback and ideas, provide workshops
and tools to contribute and offer video, audio and other content.Recruitment for the next group of ABC Open producers will continue in stages over the next
18 months. By 2012 there will be 50 regional jobs working on the project across the country.
Source: ABC press release
