[press release from SBS]
SBS today announced it will commence national consultations with Indigenous communities to get inspiration and formulate ideas for a long-term Indigenous content strategy for SBS television, radio and online based around Indigenous languages.
This will culminate in a series of initiatives across all platforms including an ambitious television series centred around the promotion, protection and preservation of Indigenous languages envisaged to start production in 2009.
“SBS has at the core of its Charter a commitment to meeting the communications and cultural needs of both Australia’s multicultural communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” SBS Managing Director, Shaun Brown, said.
“We have a proud track record of ensuring our content reflects the cultural reality of the Australian community. But Australian media on the whole are neglecting the urgent need for more programming that explores the rich linguistic diversity of Australia’s Indigenous peoples – including languages that have disappeared or are under threat.”
SBS plans to integrate the use and promotion of Indigenous languages across its television, radio and online platforms.
It is envisaged that this will include:
Television:
Commissioning programs to showcase Indigenous languages and engage the broader Australian community in the existence of and history of Indigenous languages.
Incorporating Indigenous language and stories into SBS’s exploration of its new brand identity and six billion stories and counting tagline.
Radio:
Engaging Australia’s diverse multicultural community with Indigenous languages by commissioning radio material that explores the history and depth of Indigenous languages.
Incorporating Indigenous languages for consideration into the SBS radio schedule review which will look at expanding in-language services across the analogue and digital radio schedule.
Online:
Developing new SBS online sites that support Indigenous content on SBS television and radio as well as original content that explores the rich diversity of Australia’s Indigenous languages.
“SBS is committed to protecting, preserving and promoting Australia’s cultural and creative identity. By commissioning content that showcases Indigenous cultures and languages SBS will help ensure all Australians learn about the entire multilingual history of this country,” Shaun Brown said.
“We already have form in this area having created drama and documentary series centred around Australia’s Indigenous communities such as The Circuit and First Australians which will premiere on October 12. But we can and should do more and SBS is the only broadcaster well placed to ensure that these important stories are told.”
SBS will collaborate closely with Indigenous producers, advisers and communities and form partnerships with organisations such as the Federation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages (FATSIL) to ensure its content strategy supports initiatives already underway to document, nurture and protect Indigenous languages.
SBS Managing Director Shaun Brown made the announcement at the national launch of SBS’s ground-breaking new documentary series First Australians in Sydney.
First Australians, a seven part documentary series, examines the history of Indigenous Australia since European settlement through the eyes of the characters – both black and white – who played a part in building modern Australia.