National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters' Council

The Ethnic Broadcaster

Archives: Summer 1999

FUNDING DECISION SOON!
PLANNING A NEW PROGRAM
OPENING CLOSED DOORS Ethnic Community Radio and Domestic Violence
The Ethnic News Digest
NEMBC Women's Committee Report
WURUNDJERI WELCOME CEREMONY

FUNDING DECISION SOON!

The Federal Government will soon have to make a decision about the continuation of programs under their Better Broadcasting policy introduced after the election of the Coalition in 1996. The policy contained two key initiatives for the period 1996-1999. An extra $1 million a year for ethnic community broadcasting and $500,000 per year for new technology including the Community Access Network (CAN), Community Broadcasting Database (CBD) and Satellite.

The sector has utilised funding under the Better Broadcasting to bring better services, better programming, increased information and greater media diversity to the Australian community. Continued funding for all these programs is required.

Over the 10 years before 1996, the amount of ethnic community broadcasting steadily increased while the overall amount of funding for ethnic community broadcasting remained constant. The program funding rate fell from $50 per hour to $23 per hour.

The extra funding provided under the Better Broadcasting program aimed to recognise this growth in ethnic broadcasting and to return the rate of funding up towards the $50 figure. It was also given in recognition of the enormously important role played by broadcasters in providing their communities with information; assisting new arrivals with settlement; language and cultural maintenance; and the building of a harmonious multicultural Australia.

The funding has been greatly appreciated by ethnic communities and has resulted in a revitalised broadcasting sector that delivers an even greater number of services and benefits to their communities and the whole Australian society. These services if delivered by government would cost tens and probably hundreds of millions of dollars.

Ethnic broadcasters ensure that a significant section of our community can participate in Australian society and are informed about government and community services and any changes taking place. The economic benefits of having a multilingual society are already significant and will increase as Australia becomes further integrated into the global economy. Ethnic Community Broadcasting plays a very significant role in language maintenance for migrants and their children and grandchildren.

The Community Access Network (CAN) has seen the whole community broadcasting sector come on line. As the sector is in a period of rapid expansion this program needs to continue to provide this on- line capability to new entrants into the sector, most of whom are in regional/rural areas of Australia.

Similarly, the satellite service and the community broadcasting database require continuing support to maintain the services and benefits that they provide to the sector in terms of program and information exchange.

By Federal Government budget standards, and in comparison with the funding received by the ABC and SBS, funding for the Better Broadcasting policies is small. However, for community broadcasting this budget is necessary to maximise the benefits to the community from community broadcasting and the volunteer resources put into community broadcasting.

All of these programs are now being assessed by the Government to see if they are to receive funding in the May budget. The NEMBC has made a detailed submission to the Government outlining the enormous benefits of this funding. You can help secure this funding by writing to express your support for these programs to your local Member of Parliament and to the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Richard Alston, The Senate, Parliament House, Canberra, 2600.

Bruce Francis, Executive Policy Officer

PLANNING A NEW PROGRAM

Now that the New Year is underway I imagine many of you are inspired and hoping to start some new programs. I thought it would be a good idea for the training pages to look at how to structure a program.

Your program needs a structure so that it won't be a 'mishmash' of items thrown together. You need to strike a balance between the need for variety and the need for consistency. This can be achieved by having a similar formula from program to program and varying the content. This will enable your regular listeners to know when to expect particular segments in the program

Deciding on your format, you need to consider audience interest and pacing your program so listeners keep listening. These are some general pointers on formatting:

Start with a segment that will be of interest to as many listeners as possible . e.g the news
Save giveaways and competitions to later in the program. Announce them early though, so people keep listening.
Weaker segments should go between stronger segments.
Generally, a listener's attention will be held for a maximum of seven minutes. Decide on the duration of each segment and stick to it.
A theme song or segment I.D. are ways to familiarise listeners with your program's format and help the flow of your program.
Your program is part of the overall on-air sound of your station. Adjust your format and content considering the programs that are broadcast before and after yours.
It is useful, for all programs to have a running sheet, which lists the various segments and their duration. At some stations with panel operators, who are not part of your programming group, a running sheet is essential.
Strive for variety in your on air sound. Using a range of voices is one way to create variety and pace to your program.
Programs improve with practise. Be self-critical and listen back to your programs.

For further research on different program styles and formats, have a look at the training resources bibliography on the NEMBC web site.

Michelle Vlatkovic, Training Coordinator

OPENING CLOSED DOORS Ethnic Community Radio and Domestic Violence

Ethnic Community Radio gives the NESB Community the opportunity to share the experience and combat the 'behind closed doors' syndrome of Domestic Violence (DV). It provides the potential to educate and disseminate information relevant not only about DV, but life in general in their new country eg. appropriate social attitudes and values, and gives the listener reference to organizations where help can be found.

6EBA Women's program 'Connections' has a strategy of communicating to all women of various ethnic backgrounds, by sharing personal stories and the experience of DV. When you are using the airways and trying to address the very sensitive issue of DV you must be well informed about the culture of the NESB community in order not to interfere in family structure.

In addressing the problems 'Connections' has highlighted forms of DV and abuse that can be typically exhibited socially. For example: possessiveness; demeaning and disrespectful behaviour; verbal abuse; rough handling; control of a woman's right to socialize when she chooses; control of a woman's access to education, vocational training and employment.

'Connections' regularly provides information from people who work in the area. For example: Crisis Organizations and Shelters, the Police DV units. Psychologists, Social Workers and Counsellors and Legal Representatives.

We examine ways to explore self-growth and challenge outmoded social values. 'Connections' is committed to regularly addressing the various issues relating to DV through different program features, which include:

looking at the male issue of using violence as a solution and ways they can receive help in changing that perspective;
encouraging women to access crisis and legal services when in need;
providing information on where to reach professionals who are experienced in assisting any NESB women;
initiating a community service campaign to broadcast in various languages;
Ethnic Community Radio gives the NESB Community the opportunity to share the experience and combat the 'behind closed doors' syndrome of Domestic Violence (DV). It provides the potential to educate and disseminate information relevant not only about DV, but life in general in their new country eg. appropriate social attitudes and values, and gives the listener reference to organizations where help can be found.

looking at the male issue of using violence as a solution and ways they can receive help in changing that perspective;
encouraging women to access crisis and legal services when in need;
providing information on where to reach professionals who are experienced in assisting any NESB women;
initiating a community service campaign to broadcast in various languages;
networking with multicultural organizations to share and keep updated on issues related to DV and the concerns of the women.

Diane Popovich, 6EBA Perth and NEMBC Women's Committee, and Elaine Pearman

The Ethnic News Digest

The start of the new year has seen the Ethnic News Digest (END) continue to expand and build on the successes of the first six months. The END now has a solid group of translators who are doing an excellent job in servicing multilingual broadcasters all around Australia.

In 1999, we are planning to make all languages available on the Internet and progressively phase out faxing translated material as we get the computer programs that will allow us to transmit, and you to read, non-latin fonts.

The response from broadcasters to our service has been very encouraging with many people wanting to see the END expand to include many other topics other than Australian news. While it is impossible for us to meet this demand, we are going to consolidate our links with other websites, so that users will have easier access to sites that cover other topics. If you know of other sites that would be good to have links to, please pass on their name and url details.

We will continue to publicise the service throughout the community broadcasting sector and we will expand our reach by promoting the service to schools, libraries, the community sector and ethnic community organisations.

The END is always keen to get feedback from our users on what they think of the service and suggestions for improvements. We are also keen to hear from people who want to contribute their ideas, services and knowledge to the service. There is a bulletin board available for users to contribute their news stories. This is a great way to pass information to us or to share relevant information with other broadcasters around Australia.

Peirgiorgio Moro, END Coordinator

NEMBC Women's Committee Report

Comings and Goings
In the last edition of the 'Broadcaster' we reported on a new representative from NSW. Due to family reasons, Nellie Riki has unfortunately had to prematurely resign. She has been replaced by Tracey Taripo, a Cook Island broadcaster from Radio 2RSR.

'Getting Women on Air' booklet
This booklet has been produced by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA). It provides practical information and advice for how to increase women's participation in community broadcasting. Your station should have received a copy of the booklet. Ask to see it.

1998 NEMBC Conference
There are full reports from the Conference in this edition of the Ethnic Broadcaster. However, let me highlight a few issues:

The level of women's participation at the Conference demonstrates the importance of taking positive steps to encourage women's attendance and contribution. Since the NEMBC has provided conscious and practical support, women's participation has steadily increased.
there were a number of interesting and exciting women speakers at the conference. An edited version of Dalal Smiley's paper is reproduced on the women's pages and on our web site. An edited real audio version of Maria Dimopoulos' speech is also on our web site.

Theresa Grima, Chair NEMBC Women's Committee

WURUNDJERI WELCOME CEREMONY

'The aim of this event has been to host a commemorative welcome ceremony on behalf of the Aboriginal communities to welcome all migrants to this country and reciprocally, the recognition by ethnic communities of Aboriginal land rights and first nation status,'

George Lekakis, President of the Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (ECC Vic)

Below is an edited version of George Lekakis' speech at the Melbourne Wurundjeri Welcome Ceremony held on the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations, December 9 1948.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen it is an absolute honour and privilege to stand before you and represent Victoria's ethnic communities this evening.

The process of reconciliation aims to encourage cooperation and improve harmony between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. Part of this reconciliation process is endeavouring to understand how history has shaped our relationship with each other and the importance of respecting each other's culture. Reconciliation is important not only to indigenous people but also to Australia's future.

The history of our communities, indigenous and ethnic, has up until relatively recently, not been an entirely close one. But, partly as a natural process of raised awareness and consciousness and partly as a consequence of the divisionary forces that have confronted us over the past two to three years, we have come closer together.

My Council places on record its continued commitment to a sincere, honest and transparent reconciliation process. This process must acknowledge the impact of the initial white settlement and the subsequent waves of migration from every corner of the globe on indigenous Australians. We must recognise the harm that it has caused. And it is imperative that Australians of non-English speaking background play their part within this process.

I must also state that it is our responsibility not only to talk about multiculturalism, but also to emphasise the special place that our indigenous population should have within our community. We as a sector cannot demand in clear conscience, access and equity in isolation of the obvious needs of our indigenous brothers and sisters.

It is my Council's view that without a formal apology for the Stolen Children, guaranteeing the right of the indigenous communities to directly negotiate Native Title claims and addressing such matters as the absolutely abhorrent third world health statistics that any hope of achieving real reconciliation is futile. The government must sincerely acknowledge these matters as being of the utmost urgency and act accordingly.

As a community organisation whose numerous members include so many who were victims of racially targeted laws and policies and who have experienced painful dispossession within their own native homelands, we wholeheartedly embrace your struggle as our struggle.

Human rights issues such as deaths in custody, the stolen children, native title, third world health conditions and other matters must be reconciled. As ethnic communities we must also be part of the solution and part of the reconciliation process. For if we remain silent we are part of the problem and we should thereby forgo our own claims for dignity and equality.

The current political environment has necessitated the establishment and promotion of solidarity and partnership between indigenous and ethnic communities. This relationship has been consolidated today by delivering an event that both experientially and symbolically celebrates the true nature of Australia, from the first Australians to the newest residents within our society.

In conclusion, to the Wurundjeri, to all indigenous communities, to Evelyn Scott, the Chairperson of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation on behalf of Victoria's ethnic communities, the Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria wholeheartedly and respectfully extends its appreciation to Victoria's indigenous communities for welcoming us to their tradtional and rightful lands.

This evening marks a momentous occasion through which your welcome and our appreciation and recognition signifies a true path to reconciliation.

Your struggle is our struggle and together we will overcome.

I humbly and respectfully thank you and unreservedly apologise for the past inactivity and wrong doings.

George Lekakis, President Ethnic Communities Council Victoria