Winter 2003 Edition

oadcasters’ Council

National Ethnic and Multicultural Br Special Edition: Youth 2003

Broadcaster

Inside: Youth Mini-Conference

Ethnic OXYGEN FM: Sharing the Air with You Tongan Youth Radio gets off the ground and When is a survey not a survey?

The A radio station of our own: the African community in Australia PRESIDENT’S PEN Contents BIG CHALLENGES AHEAD

Ethnic community broadcasters, and 3 Youth Mini-Conference their communities, throughout Australia will be facing some formidable 5 Tongan Youth Radio gets off the ground challenges in the months and year Getting your story into the media ahead: 6 OXYGEN FM: Sharing the Air With You a) the capacity and ability to respond even better to community demands for more and increasingly News You Can Use diverse programming, to meet the needs of the first generation and those of the second and third, as well 7 3ZZZ Youth News as getting on board new and emerging communities 8 Station News within already congested and competing airtime limitations; 2NBC b) but an even bigger and unfortunately threatening 2MCE challenge is the possibility that the 25-year-old 3ZZZ bipartisan political support for modest funding for 6EBA ethnic community broadcasting may be replaced in Radio Adelaide the next triennium by a more “targeted” approach, which will exclude funding for many communities 12 Our own radio station: the African and/or sections within them. community in Australia

The non-funding of the AERTP – a most successful and 13 NEMBC welcomes Güler Shaw & Esther economical broadcaster training program – has sent a Anatolitis chilly message as to what kind of weather we are likely to sail into in the immediate future. 14 When is a survey not a survey? The NEMBC cannot contemplate the prospect of 15 PCR-FM vABA: at the Federal Court volunteers – mostly unwaged young people and pensioners – who give so much of their time and often money – facing the unpalatable choice of paying big money for providing an essential UNPAID community service, or walking away.

It should be noted that government funding covers no To assist the campaign the NEMBC, in cooperation with more than 20% of what it takes to run ethnic community stations, will produce video and audio promotional broadcasting. The rest of the money is raised and paid material, and printed notes for broadcasters to use in for by volunteers and their communities. A small price for their programs and in planned interviews with any government for multilingual, multicultural services. community leaders and politicians. These issues will feature prominently before and during the December The NEMBC will campaign vigorously for government NEMBC Conference. funding for all ethnic community broadcasting, and the reasons for it. May I take this opportunity to welcome our new Administration and Ethnic News Digest Coordinator The campaign will involve broadcasters, their Esther Anatolitis, and look forward to an amicable and communities and all those who value the principles of productive cooperation. multiculturalism and volunteerism. Ethnic community broadcasting is, above all, about the benefits and the George Zangalis power of diversity in information and language/culture NEMBC President maintenance.

Cover photo: Vasso Zangalis and Ailini Steen. Photo by Darce Cassidy. youth Mini-Conference

“Friday I was interested in radio, come Sunday afternoon I was passionate.” —Ailini Steen, Tonga Youth Radio, 5EBI

The need to increase the delegates so that we would have principal users of broadcast training participation of young people two young ethnic broadcasters from in our sector. The future of training in Ethnic Community Radio each state. The role of the new in ethnic radio, and particularly its has been one of the impact on youth, was major concerns of the therefore another major NEMBC in recent issue for discussion. years. Given that the station This year the drive to managers play a key role increase youth both in training at their participation moved into stations, and in recruiting high gear. The NEMBC new broadcasters, Executive has decided to managers from the major appoint a part-time Youth ethnic community stations Coordinator. This were also invited. decision followed a move TRAINING by 3ZZZ in Melbourne to appoint a Youth Coordinator would be an youth coordinator and coincided The conference reaffirmed the important item on the agenda. with plans by 5EBI in Adelaide to value of the Australian Ethnic Radio significantly increase the hours of There has been another major Training Project as a scheme youth-specific broadcasts in their development affecting youth specially tailored for ethnic new program schedule. participation in ethnic radio. The broadcasters. It noted that the government has stopped funding failure to support the training of new Having made an in principle the Australian Ethnic Radio Training broadcasters was inconsistent with decision to appoint a Youth Project. This will have a particular the government’s stated aim of Coordinator, the next step was to impact on young people who, along increasing the participation of call together the NEMBC Youth with members of new, emerging young people and members of new Committee. On this occasion it was and refugee communities, are the and emerging communities. decided to invite additional youth

The Ethnic Broadcaster, Winter 2003 - 3 The conference resolved to reject a ACTION PLANNING promotion and encouraging new user-pays model for training and to radio listeners and participants. The second day of the conference continue to press for the funding of was spent in developing a mission The resourcing group requested an the AERTP. Noting that the statement and a series of action annual budget from the NEMBC drought, the bushfires and the Iraq plans. large enough to provide for one war were some of the reasons face-to-face meeting of the given for a very tight budget in The mission statement was arrived committee every year, plus up to 2003, the conference took the view at quickly, simply and unanimously. two teleconferences. They also that there was more chance of a The Youth Committee’s mission is looked at opportunities sympathetic reaction for funding from from the government in sources other than the 2004, particularly since NEMBC, and the this is likely to be an opportunities for election year. nationally coordinated YOUTH projects and campaigns COORDINATOR which will become possible though the Following the NEMBC’s appointment of the decision to appoint a Youth Coordinator. part time Youth Coordinator in 2003-4, the delegates devoted a session of the conference to a discussion of the to increase the participation of role of the Youth Coordinator. The young people in ethnic community “Seize the opportunity – steal the conference recommended that the radio. limelight.” Youth Coordinator: Action plans were developed under —Jagdeep • Facilitate communication three broad headings – “Is there money in the budget for between the youth committee Communication, Publicity and beer?” and young ethnic broadcasters Resources. —Anthony

• Work in partnership with station The group developing the “Jag plays a mean tabla.” managers and youth communications action plan —Marteen coordinators working in proposed a more effective use of “There’s way too much pressure to community stations the NEMBC website, including a say something funny.” bulletin board devoted to youth • Ensure that young people in —Kai issues, links with other youth and regional and remote areas are multicultural organisations, and a “There are more lunatics out there supported regular newsletter. Vida Karabuva like me – yeah!” • Work with the youth committee to (6EBA) agreed to become the initial —Vida make sure it is an effective policy editor of the newsletter. “I have my two cents, which was committee The group looking at better really only worth one.” • Seek additional funding to make promotion of youth participation —Tewell the position ongoing, and full proposed a logo and poster “The youth committee meeting is a time. competition, business cards for fantastic, awesome, youth committee members and The Youth Coordinator position will unforgettable… party, and a above all using our own medium, be advertised shortly and a positive step towards the future of radio, to more effectively promote representative of the Youth young people in community radio.” youth radio. Another strategy Committee will be on the selection —Adam committee. proposed was to get involved with other non-broadcasting community “Oh my god, you were born on the groups through festivals and other same date as me?! I want to marry events, taking advantage of cross- you!” —Joanne

4 - The Ethnic Broadcaster, Winter 2003 Tongan Youth Radio gets off the ground

On Friday 4 July 2003 at 3.30–4pm, an historic event (at least for the Tongan Community Radio of SA Inc.) occurred in the chapter of community radio in SA.

For the first time in Adelaide, the Tonga Youth Radio, or the TYRadio, broadcast their first program on 5EBI 103.1FM. After almost a year of training and practical work to get the right skills for operating, producing program and broadcasting, they finally go to air. Rubina and ‘Ailini started the community broadcasting course in March 2002, followed by Losa in July 2002, and Naomi is just about to complete her training with a practical hands-on production of a program on 5 July, 2003. The TYTeam. From L to R: ‘Ailini Steen, Rubina Carlson, The Tongan Community Radio of SA, a member of the Naomi Tupola, and Losa Bloomfield (seated) 5EBI radio group, is very proud of the youths’ achievements and dedication to training, as well as In 2004, the main project for the TYRadio is a trip to volunteering their time to look at ways of dealing with Tonga around June 28 – 16 July to record programs in youth identities, and intergenerational and cultural the Heilala Festival – an annual Tongan cultural issues through radio. By the end of this year, two lads, extravaganza, to experience the culture and to bring Moimoi ‘Etu and Alfred Carlson, who are about to back their programs to broadcast in Adelaide. For commence training in July, will join the TYRadio. further details about the TYRadio, write to The TYRadio team is embarking on a trip to Sydney on [email protected] or to the Tongan 28 September – 4 October to gain cultural experiences Community Radio Public Officer, Tangi Steen, on from working with other Tongan broadcasters in radio, [email protected]. such as the Sydney 2000FM and Skid Row. This trip is Tune in to TYRadio on 5EBI 103.1FM, Fridays, 3.30–4pm. funded through the NEMBC’s Tony Manicaros Award.

Getting your story into the media

A workshop for people from community and get your message • network with other community emerging and refugee clearly into mainstream and organisations. communities who want to be community media, and raise the For more information and to heard in the media. profile of your organisation. organise a workshop for your Community leaders and You will learn: community please contact: representatives often want to make • who’s who in the media world Indira Narayan statements to the media or are and how to liaise with journalists Coordinator, Emerging & Refugee asked by journalists to comment on • writing effective media releases Communities Radio Broadcast a current issue about the Training & Outreach Project community here or in the country of • smart interview techniques for Phone: 03 9419 8377 or origin. This workshop will help you radio, tv or print 03 9415 1928 develop ideas about how to be a • create and distribute a media [email protected] visible media spokesperson for your information kit www.nembc.org.au

The Ethnic Broadcaster, Winter 2003 - 5 OXYGEN FM Sharing the Air with You

OXYGEN FM hit the airwaves recently on Radio It’s an exciting time for Radio 4EB because through 4EB, Brisbane’s only full-time ethnic radio OXYGEN FM divergent ethnic groups are working station. OXYGEN FM is a youth multicultural together to broadcast a unique, entertaining and program broadcast by the young members of informative program, the main ingredient of which is Radio 4EB, as well as the ‘young at heart’. fun! We are sharing ideas and learning about each other’s culture through music, laughter and song. At the beginning of the year, Radio 4EB appointed two OXYGEN FM provides a forum for young people from a youth representatives to the Board of Directors to diversity of backgrounds to get together and broadcast encourage youth participation in the station. It wasn’t their views, their music and their events. We’ve been long before the youth representatives, Adam Lo known to hold occasional live-to-air music sessions, and (Chinese Group) and Sinéad Lee (Irish Group), were are currently organising a World Music Youth event. joined by numerous enthusiastic members of other ethnic groups to form a ‘Youth Forum’. So there’s plenty happening at Radio 4EB in Brisbane. If you’re in the vicinity of South East Queensland, tune in on The Youth Forum is held on a monthly basis to discuss 98.1FM or drop by and share the air with us on OXYGEN issues affecting young broadcasters in ethnic radio, to FM. Adam and Sinéad would love to hear from you. Email plan schedules and to share ideas. The outcome of the Adam ([email protected]) or Sinéad station’s first Youth Forum was the commencement of ([email protected]), or post a message on our the multicultural youth program OXYGEN FM. message board: http://groups.msn.com/youthforum.

INDONESIAN News YOU Can Use! ITALIANO MAKEDONSKI (Macedonian) The Ethnic News Digest – already written the service saves POLSKI (Polish) instant broadcast news, three programmers valuable time in PORTUGUESA times a week preparing news stories. Using the PYCCKOM (Russian) Digest also means broadcasters Want to make news and current SINHALA (Sinhalese) avoid copyright problems, which SRPSKOM (Serbian) affairs a regular feature of your arise from using commercial sources. TAGALOG [Filipino] programming, but haven’t got the THAI – new addition to the END time or resources to write it yourself? The Digest is your news service, TURKCE (Turkish) There’s no need – the END is here! so make sure you use it! VIET NGU (Vietnamese) The Ethnic News Digest is the • Go to www.nembc.org.au and TRANSLATORS WANTED NEMBC’s Australian News and click on the language you prefer to use. We would like to make contact with Current Affairs service: short translators in the following Australian news stories written • Download the stories and you’re languages: Cambodian (Khmer) / specifically for use by community ready to go to air! Farsi / Greek / Kurdish / Somali. radio broadcasters. Stories are END News stories are currently You need to have internet access updated three times a week and available in English and: and be able to translate 4–5 short are translated into 21 languages AMHARIC (Ethiopian) stories three times per week. by a group of dedicated volunteer ARABIC – our newest addition Interested? Send an email to translators. BOSNIAN – new addition to the END [email protected] or call DUTCH The Digest is free and is designed to Esther Anatolitis (END ENGLISH work alongside broadcasters’ Coordinator) on (613) 9486 9549 ESPAÑOL (Spanish) coverage of local community and FRANÇAIS (French) The Ethnic News Digest is available overseas news. As the stories are HRAVATZKI (Croatian) at www.nembc.org.au.

6 - The Ethnic Broadcaster, Winter 2003 3ZZZ youth news

A new Youth Development Coordinator, multicultural programming and projects involving with school groups have been keeping young broadcasters busy at 3ZZZ.

One of 3ZZZ’s Council objectives required to successfully run a These ideas were further discussed for 2003 and the future is to further weekly radio program. The first with the students, who are currently encourage youth participation at the Multicultural Youth program will running a program at SYN FIVI. station. The Council knows that start on a three-month trial on All government secondary schools growth of involvement by young Saturday, September 6, in the 10– in Melbourne were invited to people is vital to the long-term 11pm timeslot. The show aims to develop a relationship with us, health and vitality of the station. As provide the youth of Melbourne with allowing for the school’s language part of this initiative, 3ZZZ created a general interest show that is students to take a tour of the the role of the Youth Development inclusive of all cultures and station, meet with broadcasters to Coordinator (YDC), and have backgrounds. converse in a particular language, recently appointed Claudine Ellis to Another daytime Multicultural Youth participate in ethnic language the position. The primary role of the program has also been running programs, and join a non-affiliated YDC is to: since May 2003. This program aims youth broadcasting group. • Assist young people at the to create a pathway for bilingual The response from schools was station high school students to participate very good and some tours have • Develop and support a Youth in some youth programming at already taken place, with more Committee 3ZZZ. High school students coming up in the near future. • Explore project funding options produce a general interest show, • Provide regular reports to broadcasting in a mixture of The YDC has also written four grant Council languages (Greek, Arabic, Serbian, applications to the CBF, the • Develop partnerships with Albanian) and English. Meetings Foundation for Young Australians relevant youth organisations held with LOTE teachers from the and to DIMIA, for work with language students, young bilingual • Increase awareness of 3ZZZ schools involved means that there students and young media makers, amongst Melbourne’s youth. is now the possibility of making radio program/ segment preparation for coping with inter-racial and A survey was sent out to all young part of the LOTE curriculum. inter-faith issues in Australian broadcasters at 3ZZZ to establish society, and for a series of training their needs and to help guide the Meetings were also held with workshops and a one-day youth YDC. This has facilitated the representatives from SYN FM and conference. formation of a Multicultural Youth the Centre for Multicultural Youth Broadcasting Group, which will Issues (CMYI), discussing the idea empower young broadcasters. The of some young refugees first Multicultural Youth Group is run gaining some radio experience at entirely by young people, giving SYN FM, and then moving on to them power over all decisions 3ZZZ after the program concludes.

The Ethnic Broadcaster, Winter 2003 - 7 STATION NEWS Tony Manicaros Award

Up to $1500 of one-off funding • provide specialised training for A successful applicant cannot for projects to be completed broadcasters and particularly reapply in the following year. The within six months. broadcasters under represented award is a one-off grant. in ethnic community The Tony Manicaros Award is an INFORMATION ABOUT THE broadcasting annual award to fund a project of AWARD • undertake study in the media significance for ethnic community that would assist a programme The winner of the award will be broadcasting. It is open to stations, or station in its programming, announced annually at the NEMBC programming groups and technical, administrative or conference. individuals. Proposals that will be management development The decision of the Tony Manicaros considered for the award include develop equipment of benefit to Award trustees is final. projects which: • the sector. As an equal opportunity • produce special programming of organisation we welcome significance to a national Preference will be given to projects applications from young people, audience, specific target group that are significant for the ethnic women and emerging communities. or to mark significant historic or community broadcasting sector. present day events Creative and innovative projects Applications close Friday 14 November 2003. • produce programming across a are encouraged. Preference will be number of stations as part of a given to projects that would have For further information phone the festival, to celebrate a significant difficulty receiving funding or NEMBC on (03) 9486 9549 or sufficient funding from other event, etc. email [email protected]. sources. • assist with oral history, The Tony Manicaros Award is given documenting or archiving of CONDITIONS OF THE AWARD to commemorate and celebrate Tony material of significance for ethnic Funding of up to $1500 will be Manicaros’ work for ethnic community broadcasting made to the winner of the award. community broadcasting on a station, state and national basis. Full • produce cultural information or Projects must be completed within time ethnic community broadcasting programming of benefit to ethnic six months. stations, ethnic umbrella groups and community broadcasting An individual applying for training must demonstrate they are of low the Community Broadcasting • produce and distribute income. Foundation have provided funding information of benefit to ethnic for the award. The NEMBC is to be given programmers or stations with permission to use the project for ethnic programming non-commercial purposes.

small Persian community in Adelaide, with the phone Radio Adelaide ringing off the hook for the whole two hours. And as you can see from the photo, everyone is involved. The on- Station News air celebrations are followed by a lunch at the station to RADIO ADELAIDE CELEBRATES PERSIAN which the whole station community was invited. NEW YEAR CENTENARY MEDAL WINNER The Persian Program team at Radio Adelaide have One of our longest serving broadcasters, Vladan been on air since 2001 and since that time their on-air Tansijevic from The Voice of Serbia program, recently celebration of the Persian New Year has become an received one of the Centenary Medals. Vladan received annual highlight for the station. This year their New Year the medal for ‘Services to the Serbian community and clicked over around midday on 21 March and the team community in general’. He has been a producer of The was able to replace the station’s usual jazz program Voice of Serbia for many years. It’s on air from 4– from 11am to 1pm. The event is very popular in the 5.30pm on Sundays, on 5EBI 103.1FM.

8 - The Ethnic Broadcaster, Winter 2003 AROUND AUSTRALIA

Filipiniana at 2MCE

2MCE is the oldest community radio station in NSW and is closely associated with Charles Sturt University and its well-known media school, which counts Andrew Denton and Amanda Keller amongst its graduates. It runs a number of ethnic programs, which currently include International Friends, Latin American, Diversity, Pinoy-Aussie and my own Filipiniana.

International Friends is a kind of umbrella program, with contributors from many ethnic backgrounds. It acts as a training ground, where aspiring broadcasters from many parts of the world learn to spread their wings. Recent graduates include Remus Muntean from

Romania, and Terry Sosefo from the Cook Islands. Nenita Lopez-Weekes prepares Mayor of Bathurst Cr. Ian Macintosh for an interview on the Filipiniana program. I began my Filipiniana program two years ago and Photo courtesy Nenita Lopez-Weekes. worked to make it quite distinctive with its own sting and theme music. ‘Filipiniana’ means anything to do be satisfying the insatiable Filipino desire for music and with Philippine culture, including music and art. It is gossip – we only need cooking and religious segments broadcast in Tagalog and English, with occasional to meet all needs. pieces of Cebuano, which is a very common Filipino Clearly, 2MCE is strongly committed to ethnic dialect. The news is always presented in Tagalog, using broadcasting, supplying training, technical support and the excellent service provided by the Ethnic News air time, which gives us all a great opportunity to share Digest. Each week I identify and comment upon a our culture and gain confidence and skills. Special current issue of interest to the ethnic community, such thanks are due to the station manager Peter Tozer for as education, women’s issues and discrimination, and his encouragement and Studio 4 coordinator Evans try to make my comments both amusing and Horton, who did a great job setting up the wave station, informative. The issues are presented in English, as the which reduces stress during air time. program has a considerable non-Filipino audience. Nenita Lopez-Weekes There are also regular interviews with local personalities including local Aboriginal leaders, Filipino role models, and local entrepreneurs and politicians such as the Mayor of Bathurst ,who is a great supporter NEMBC Annual of multiculturalism. I think it is important to bring the community to the ethnic minorities as well as spreading Conference their indigenous culture. The program is advertised as a ‘home away from home’ for Filipinos, and specialises in Canberra, 5 – 7 December 2003 Filipino love songs, both modern and traditional. This year’s Annual Conference begins on the afternoon Requests and dedications are common and there is a of Friday 5 December and winds up on the Sunday – good sense of ownership and participation from the mark the dates in your diary! Full details of venue and Filipino community. Recently, the station has put program will appear shortly on the NEMBC website, another Filipino show on air, Pinoy-Aussie, hosted by and in the next edition of The Ethnic Broadcaster due in Eduarda Huelmo from Blayney. Between us we seem to September.

The Ethnic Broadcaster, Winter 2003 - 9 STATION NEWS 3ZZZ News

MAURITIAN HIGH ‘Multicultural Media Expo’ organised COMMISSIONER’S VISIT by the Victorian Government. The Expo was a great success with On Friday 29 March, 2003, Her hundreds of people attending Excellency Jane Jouanis, the throughout the day. It was held in recently appointed Mauritian High the Atrium of the newly completed Commissioner, visited 3ZZZ during Federation Square complex. her first official visit to Victoria. She had heard about us through a brief The Victorian Government has from the Honorary Consul, who committed to spend 5% of all their then incorporated a visit to 3ZZZ, advertising on ethnic media. This motivated by the good work that the includes, print, radio, television, Mauritian community was doing in commercial and community outlets. Melbourne. The expo was a way for PR and media buyers across all Her Excellency was shown around government departments to meet the studios by our Mauritian Victorian Premier Steve Bracks representatives from ethnic radio meets Samoan broadcaster Vui Convenor Mr Eddy Abraham, Masinamua. and television stations and Station Manager Ms Maureen newspapers and talk to them about O’Keeffe, and other committee sponsorship and advertising new software enables media members. opportunities planners and agents to plan a 10 The Commissioner’s other activities week multilingual campaign with Community stations had a strong included meeting Victorian just a few clicks of the mouse presence with 3ZZZ, 3CR, 3NOW, government officials, and the (check it out at www.3zzz.com.au). Southern FM, Inner North East Premier of Victoria, Steve Bracks. All stations now have the job ahead Community Radio and Channel 31 She has attended a session at to chase up all the leads and among the 30 exhibitors. Parliament and various Mauritian hopefully bring in some more community receptions. 3ZZZ officially launched their Online sponsorship dollars. Media Planner at the Expo. This Mr Abraham recorded an interview with the Commissioner during her visit, which aired on the Mauritian program the following day. The 6EBA honours Mrs Joyce Lutero Commissioner was very pleased At a luncheon held on 17 March, Mrs Joyce Lutero was with the great work of the Mauritian bestowed Life Membership of the Multicultural Radio community. and Television Association (MRTA) by 6EBA’s Council. MEMBERSHIP DRIVE Joyce is pictured here with a commemoration plaque Our 2003 membership drive is recognising her 26 years of voluntary work. Joyce has currently in full swing. At 3ZZZ, we worked in a variety of capacities including assisting to have 57 different ethnic groups. The record and prepare programmes for various ethnic station is interested in focussing on groups, and organising functions, lotteries and fund young members under 30 to attract raising dinners for 6EBA – Perth’s very first ethnic radio a younger youth base. station. Ever versatile, Joyce has also acted as secretary/treasurer doing ETHNIC BROADCASTERS ON the bookwork, paying the bills, typing the constitution and preparing SHOW documents for committees.

In March, Community Stations in Joyce has been unwavering in the support she has shown her husband Melbourne participated in the Alex in his role of President of the Association and has enthusiastically contributed to the ongoing success of ethnic broadcasting in Perth.

10 - The Ethnic Broadcaster, Winter 2003 AROUND AUSTRALIA 2NBC Turns 20! 2NBC-FM located in Narwee needs, as well as being one of promotes excellence and morale; (Sydney) celebrated 20 years of 2NBC’s first managers.) exhibits a high degree of co- broadcasting to its community. A operation with all 2NBC personnel; variety of events were held between and demonstrates keen loyalty to 17 and 24 May. Local artists and the station. Blanca won the award entertainers assisted to make these for all her achievements consistent events the success 2NBC had hoped with the ideals of the award. for, and was a reflection of local The Chairman of 2NBC also noted support for the service we provide. Blanca’s involvement with the th At the 20 Birthday Dinner, held on The Board of Directors presents the NEMBC’s Women’s Committee. Saturday 24 May, Ms Blanca award to an individual who sets Blanca is a respected and liked Llorente was presented with the high standards of conduct and person within 2NBC and granting inaugural ‘Don Jamieson Award’ for makes a significant contribution to the award to Blanca was well 2NBC’s ‘Achiever of the Year’. (Don the operation of 2NBC; maintains received by all at 2NBC. Jamieson originally was involved the highest possible standards of Geoffrey Suranyi – Manager with convincing the community it ethics in dealing with management, needed a radio service to suit its presenters and fellow volunteers; CBOnline promoting online technology, research & resources for the community broadcasting sector

CBOnline is a website years in the planning. Thanks to the results will appear in the next (www.cbonline.org.au) and a many stations that contributed to it. edition of The Ethnic Broadcaster. database. Some of the figures that are likely to THE INDIGENOUS ALMANAC be made available publicly through The website provides a the CBOnline website next month There’s a great new section on the comprehensive overview of the are: website called the Indigenous sector, ranging from a full list of Almanac which offers over 2000 community stations, through to • the total income of the sector entries highlighting key events in stories about the activities of • how much sponsorship income Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individual stations and program contributes to total income history and featuring articles on makers, and academic research on • how many volunteers and paid current Indigenous issues. community broadcasting. employees there are in the sector, their gender, whether CONTRIBUTIONS COMMUNITY BROADCASTING they work full- or part-time DATABASE People involved in the sector are • how many hours of accredited encouraged to contribute content to For the first time wide-ranging and unaccredited training takes the website. If you have any ideas statistics on the operations of place at stations for stories which might be suitable community broadcasting stations will • what percentage of Australian for CBOnline or if you would like soon be available through the new music is played at stations. any more information on any aspect Community Broadcasting Database. of the project, please contact me. Additional information may be used The first collection of data from fully by sector organisations like the Mia Lauze licensed community radio stations CBOnline Content Manager NEMBC for funding submissions has been finalised after several Phone: 02 9318 9619 and reporting. An overview of the Email: [email protected]

The Ethnic Broadcaster, Winter 2003 - 11 Our own radio station the African community in Australia

Margaret Mathayo Bako made this presentation to the NEMBC Executive at the 2002 Annual Conference.

“It is a pleasure to be here today. Today I am here to talk to you about prepare this speech of this Firstly I would like to tell you a bit the African community. It has now conference I spoke to lots of African about myself. I came to Australia as grown dramatically over the last people asking them what they a refugee with my husband and two couple of years but unfortunately would like me to say. All of them children but I now have five we do not have the resources to said that they would like to have children. Coming to Australia was have or operate a radio station. The their own radio station so they can not my choice, it was because of a African community is one of the listen to their own music in their civil war in my home country. new emerging communities that own language and talk about their need a lot of support and food and culture. They would also It was very difficult for me when I encouragement from people such use the station to find out what their first arrived because I did not speak as yourselves. Being a new brothers and sisters are doing in any English. I had no friends community we cannot support other states. although some Australians tried to ourselves to have things like our help me but I could not communicate Thank you very much for giving me own newspaper or radio station. with them and there were few and my community this opportunity Africans here and even fewer of In Adelaide there are about 500 to talk to you.” them were women. The food was Sudanese, 300 Ethiopians, 350 very different and it took me two Eritreans and 200 Somalis, and months before I could eat meat. now the West Africans whose number is yet to increase. By However despite these initial having this station it will enable us transition problems, I found to communicate with our brothers Australian people to be very and sisters in other states, considerate. They helped me a lot especially Sydney and Melbourne. and now I can speak English more We understand that Sydney and fluently than when I first arrived Melbourne have the largest number from my home country. I also now of Africans. have many Australian and non- Australian friends. Today I am standing here not just for my country or myself but for all African people. In the time I had to

12 - The Ethnic Broadcaster, Winter 2003 The NEMBC welcomes Güler Shaw and Esther Anatolitis

GÜLER SHAW ESTHER ANATOLITIS AERTP COORDINATOR ADMINISTRATION AND ETHNIC NEWS DIGEST COORDINATOR The AERTP is a unique and vital Australia-wide training program in Having always enjoyed working in the community radio sector. It is multicultural, multilingual, and with great delight that I take on this multidisciplinary environments, I dynamic role where funding has know I’ll find some engaging now been extended till June 2004. challenges here at the NEMBC. My past work has been diverse, but has consistently applied my passion for My professional background includes: over 15 years of inspiring people into sharing their culture, language, training and management of community based and creativity. I’ve coordinated a number of organisations. Several years of broadcasting in conferences, seminar series, community events and community radio including ethnic programming. creative projects, and I bring these organisational skills Extensive experience in Mediation, Community Work to the role of Administration Officer. I also speak a and Youth Work at the grass-roots level as well for number of languages, which I’m putting to good use as local, state governments. the Ethnic News Digest Coordinator. I would like to thank my predecessors over the last 10 Having lived, worked and studied in a handful of cities years, in particular Helen Bowman and Michelle around the world, I hold an honours degree in Vlatkovic as AERTP Coordinators as well Nicola Joseph contemporary European Philosophy, the postgraduate for their passion and dedication as their work has Zertifikat Bauhaus Dessau, and am currently a part- refined the AERTP to the successful and nationally time MA (Communications) student. I am editor of a accredited training model that it is today. Philosophy journal, contributing editor of a popular I also want to acknowledge the fantastic contribution to multicultural community website, a juror for the 2003 the AERTP our past and current trainers, trainees, Gangart Awards for outstanding multilingual websites, NEMBC Executives’- its associated committees, and this month I’m taking part in an Athens 2004 broadcasters, stations and members of the National cultural project. Ethnic Radio Training Taskforce (NERTT) advisory My first tasks have been to maintain the momentum of group, other individuals and their organisations the annual membership drive, as well as lending including the training and broadcasting sector. support to the youth committee’s action planning. I’m Please feel free to contact me if you require further also looking for new translators for the Ethnic News information on the AERTP, our training package, any Digest, an excellent service for all you broadcasters other issues and/or to say hello. I am available on (03) who’d like to make up-to-date news and current affairs 9415 8566 at the AERTP office between 9am 5pm on a part of your program, but who don’t have the time and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. resources to write and research the news for yourself. I look forward to working with you in the near future. The Digest is available in 21 languages – and growing – so be sure to use your free news service! Give me a call on (03) 9486 9549 or email [email protected] whenever I can be of help – especially when you’ve got station news or programming updates. The information on our website, databases and The Ethnic Broadcaster gives all of us a strong foundation from which to work together, so do stay in touch.

The Ethnic Broadcaster, Winter 2003 - 13 “Some 100 community stations Australian Government and the across Australia broadcast in CBF. In particular we refer to the When languages other than English. requirement to ‘produce accurate Ethnic broadcasting therefore and statistically reliable information makes up a very significant part of for the Department and the is a the community broadcasting sector. community radio sector’. “These broadcasters speak more “While the failure to take account of than 100 different languages. Many these language issues, and the survey of these broadcasters, and more consequent bias against ethnic particularly their audiences, have radio, is our primary concern, we difficulty with English. When have other concerns about this speaking over the telephone, project. without the benefit of gestures and not a “Given the limited funds available facial expression, these difficulties and the extraordinary breadth (in are often magnified. terms of program content, language survey? “As the survey is not to be and geography) of the sector, we conducted in the interviewee’s first doubt that the broad-based survey language, since the funds provided proposed can produce useful make it impossible to attempt this in information for community stations. a meaningful way, the proposed We had proposed that funds be CATI methodology adds to our provided selectively to ten to fifteen Community research needs to concern and conviction that this “battling” stations to address be conducted in community survey is not appropriate and communication with the audiences languages, writes George applicable to ethnic community in their specific areas and Zangalis. broadcasters. communities.

The Department of “We believe that such a survey will “The NEMBC has found that the Communications, Information under-represent radio listening by best audience research for Technology and the Arts has made people of non-English speaking community stations is the degree of $120,000 available to the background, and therefore financial and physical (in terms of Community Broadcasting misrepresent the sector as a whole. volunteer labour) support from listeners. A station that has Foundation to conduct an Australia- “We are concerned that the thousands of people personally wide survey of listeners to publication of the results of such a involved knows its audience community radio. The NEMBC has flawed survey may act to the intimately.” told the Department, and the CBF, detriment of ethnic community that it does not wish to participate in broadcasting in Australia in so far Just before going to press we this survey. as it is likely to under represent received news that the Department Why is the NEMBC looking a gift listening to ethnic community radio. of Communications has found horse in the mouth? This is how Were the publication of such biased money to fund a qualitative study of NEMBC President George Zangalis results to suggest that the survey listeners to ethnic radio. It may be explained it in a letter to the had the support of the Australian possible to base this study on focus department: Government, it would be even more groups, some of which may operate damaging to the ethnic in community languages. Little broadcasting sector. detail is available at present, but this looks like a positive “Moreover, as a consequence of the development. above flaws, we do not believe the project is capable of meeting the requirements of the proposed funding deed between the

14 - The Ethnic Broadcaster, Winter 2003 PCR-FM v ABA at the Federal Court Wyong-Gosford station PCR-FM recently had a small victory against the ABA over an unfair licensing ruling, which will be finalised over the coming months – but as Station Secretary Norbert Lindberg explains, the interim solution has left them in an unsatisfactory state of compromise.

Wyong-Gosford Progressive Community Radio Inc Court of Australia in the belief that we had been denied (PCR-FM) started 10 years ago when a small group of natural justice. volunteers felt that they should create a radio station to On 31 January Justice Wilcox handed down his decision serve the youth and minority sections of the Central in favour of PCR-FM, vindicating our claims. The Federal Coast community. PCR-FM has been operating during Court set aside the ABA’s decision to allocate this this period under various temporary broadcast license licence, as it affected the legal rights, interests and arrangements. legitimate expectations of the other applicants. The station survived the usual “highs and lows” of On 26 May 2003 the ABA wrote to us, accepting that the volunteer management. About 12 months ago, the ABA process had been flawed. The ABA finally confirmed that finally decided to allocate three permanent community • the application from Radio Rhema Gosford was licenses to the Central Coast. Our committee was keen invalid. to demonstrate the need for an “Ethnic and Youth” local the application from Radio Rhema Newcastle has station, in order to complement the existing local • never been formally withdrawn. mainstream services and at the same time fulfill the aspirations of some under-represented sections of our • ABA will not allocate the permanent license under community. Section 85 of the Act. • the frequency will be made available for temporary There were five applicants for the three available community broadcasts. frequencies. Two licenses were allocated in October 2002: Five-O-Plus (covering senior citizen) and Hits Before a review of the situation can be made, the and Country (local sport and Country music). frequency is to be made available for eight months of time-share broadcasting between all the applicants. The remaining license was to be allocated on merit Once again, however, we find ourselves at the losing between the three remaining applicants, following end of ABA’s rationale. In an attempt at impartiality, ABA additional information to be provided to ABA by 21 have requested that PCR-FM share time not only with November. The three applicants were: Radio Yesteryear the early applicants Radio Yesteryear and Rhema (representing senior citizens), PCR-FM (representing Newcastle, but also with the invalid applicant Radio minorities), and Newcastle Christian Broadcasters Rhema Gosford. It is worth noting that the interim trading as Radio Rhema (representing non- manager for Rhema Newcastle is the same as for denominational Christians). Rhema Gosford. When we challenged the “local” status of the application In these past 10 years of trying to provide broadcast by Newcastle Broadcasters, we were advised – but only diversity to the Central Coast, we have learnt to live after the submissions period had closed – that the ABA with being belittled and maligned by many, because of had received a fourth application. One month earlier (on 1 November), ABA had – unbeknown to us – agreed to “who and what” we represent. As a progressive a request from Radio Rhema Newcastle to submit a broadcaster we may be too bold for conservative new application from a new entity. Three weeks after organisations, but we will not accept to be bullied by that advice, the permanent license was allocated to anybody. We are not seeking sympathy or specific Radio Rhema Gosford, the newly cloned local entity, support from the NEMBC, but we feel it necessary to hastily created on 22 November. highlight our plight to any peak organisations regularly dealing with ABA. This was presumably to be the end of PCR-FM. However, our committee felt that the ABA decision was We may not survive the process… but for PCR-FM, the unfair and should be challenged. We decided to fight for battle is only starting. survival by taking action against ABA in the Federal

The Ethnic Broadcaster, Winter 2003 - 15 We welcome contributions to The Ethnic Broadcaster, especially from NEMBC Members – send us your station news, letters, short pieces, photos…

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For more information please contact Esther Anatolitis on 03 9486 9549 or via email: [email protected]

CHECK OUT THE NEMBC WEBSITE: www.nembc.org.au

NEMBC Executive

President: George Zangalis, VIC Vice-President: Victor Marillanca, ACT

Secretary: Marisol Salinas, VIC Treasurer: Joanne Fettke, QLD Members: Hans Degenhart, SA Osai Faiva, NSW Peter Ho, QLD Alex Lutero, WA Ramkumar Konesparamoorthy, NT Karina Ceron, TAS NEMBC Staff Executive Officer: Darce Cassidy – [email protected] Administrative Officer: Esther Anatolitis – [email protected] New, Emerging & Refugee Communities Outreach, Training and Broadcasting Project Officer: Indira Narayan – [email protected] AERTP Coordinator: Güler Shaw – [email protected] Bookkeeper: Denis West Ethnic News Digest Coordinator: Esther Anatolitis – [email protected] Ethnic News Digest Journalist: Nicola Joseph – [email protected] Editorial Team:

Broadcaster Darce Cassidy Esther Anatolitis Editorial Review: George Zangalis

The Ethnic Broadcaster Coordinator: Esther Anatolitis Journal Design and Layout: Michael Nolan Printed by: M & T Printers Co.

The Ethnic Broadcaster is the quarterly journal of the National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters’ Council (NEMBC).

The views expressed in The Ethnic Broadcaster are not necessarily the views of the NEMBC.

NEMBC Office and Contact Details 1st Floor, 156 George Street

Ethnic Fitzroy VIC 3065 Postal Address: PO Box 1144 Collingwood VIC 3066 Phone: 03 9486 9549 Fax: 03 9486 9499 Email: [email protected] Website: www.nembc.org.au

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