Over the past couple of weeks on the Marngrook Footy Show, the hosts have been discussing the funding issues around National Indigenous Television (NITV) and the Federal Government.
Apparently, come 30 June 2010, the whole network could disappear, along with hundreds of jobs for indigenous Australians and great TV shows like the Marngrook Footy Show and the Barefooty Rugby League show.
The decision to continue funding NITV rests with the Honourable Minister, Mr Peter Garrett.
On last week’s MFS, the CEO of NITV Patricia Turner diplomatically explained the current state of affairs where NITV is still waiting a yes or no on funding.
What is surprising to me is that funding for NITV is still so uncertain, with only three months to go. It appears an appallingly bad way to treat NITV, and indigenous Australians in general.
For those who haven’t caught either of the footy shows, which are on Foxtel or Channel 31, they are terrific grassroots shows that talk about football and stay clear of the jokes and skits found on the commercial network shows.
They are refreshing shows with a strong indigenous flavour, but not a hint of reverse racism or baggage from the past. It’s a celebration of footy and a brilliant link between indigenous and non indigenous Australians via sport.
So Minister Garrett, you have my support to spend my taxes on maintaining the funding for NITV along the same lines as the ABC and SBS.
If you’re a fan of the Marngrook Footy Show or the Barefoot Rugby League show, write to the honourable Minister and express your support: friends@nitv.org.au
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March 24th 2010 @ 6:28am
Mr Real Australian it's called Football Man formerly known as Kurt said | March 24th 2010 @ 6:28am | Report comment
Nice article Red, can’t believe that this government with their rhetoric about Indigenous rights would let NITV die. Let’s hope they don’t keep them waiting too much longer for the funding.
March 24th 2010 @ 7:25am
Redb said | March 24th 2010 @ 7:25am | Report comment
Tks Kurt.
You can also write direct as follows:
The Hon Peter Garrett AM, MP
Title: Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts.
Parliament House Contact
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
To send an email, go to http://www.aph.gov.au/P_Garrett_MP/ then click ‘contact form’
April 7th 2010 @ 11:51pm
Karlos said | April 7th 2010 @ 11:51pm | Report comment
Thanks for the link. We can agree on this one.
March 24th 2010 @ 8:27am
AndyRoo said | March 24th 2010 @ 8:27am | Report comment
Poor form to leave them waiting like this.
Great article Redb.
March 24th 2010 @ 8:53am
Dogz R Barkn said | March 24th 2010 @ 8:53am | Report comment
Terrific article redb!!
March 24th 2010 @ 8:53am
Australian Football said | March 24th 2010 @ 8:53am | Report comment
Redb,
I support this and will help by sending in my email. Now I shall wait to see if my comment will be reported by Michael C and deleted as usual for my usage of the name Marngrook on an AFL tab.
——
AF
March 24th 2010 @ 3:13pm
Michael C said | March 24th 2010 @ 3:13pm | Report comment
sentiment has a lot to do with it dear sir – -
have sent email also.
Somethings transcend the ‘boundary’…..
March 24th 2010 @ 11:47am
Republican said | March 24th 2010 @ 11:47am | Report comment
Redb
I was going to sound out some I know on the inside re the devil in the detail of this, since they work in Indig language and Heritage with Peter Garret as Minister.
Marngrook (Game Ball) is historically integral to our game and a powerful symbol, even as a metaphor for non indigenous, so I will certainly be expressing my support for continued funding therof.
Cheers
March 24th 2010 @ 12:28pm
Redb said | March 24th 2010 @ 12:28pm | Report comment
cheers. It is wrong to have so much uncertainty and lacks respect. Garrett should know better seeing as he was a ‘champion’ of indigenous rights. Beds are burning and so are votes.
April 7th 2010 @ 11:57pm
Karlos said | April 7th 2010 @ 11:57pm | Report comment
Marngrook has nothing to do with AFL history, only the rewriting of it for browny points a few years back. Enough scholars/writers/sporting historians/people from different sides of football fences have denounced this (lack of) understanding that I thought it would have been common knowledge by now. Sent my form and mentioned AFL and NRL as important for Indigenous pride.
March 24th 2010 @ 1:37pm
Republican said | March 24th 2010 @ 1:37pm | Report comment
Yes, however it always seems that once in politics your ideals are often compromised for the ‘bigger picture’ and the party.
Certainly the purse strings are being tightened across govt presently.
Cheers
March 24th 2010 @ 3:29pm
M1tch said | March 24th 2010 @ 3:29pm | Report comment
Good article Reb, we cant let NITV disappear
March 24th 2010 @ 3:47pm
Rod said | March 24th 2010 @ 3:47pm | Report comment
Love barefoot RL.
March 24th 2010 @ 11:04pm
StormGal said | March 24th 2010 @ 11:04pm | Report comment
So do I. But wasn’t it a 2 hr show last year and now has been reduced to 1 hr whereas at least the afl version are still lucky enought to retain the 2 hr timeslot.
March 24th 2010 @ 3:48pm
Rod said | March 24th 2010 @ 3:48pm | Report comment
Just to add, the footyshow on 9 should be based on barefoot Rl, it’s a bloody awesome show.
March 24th 2010 @ 4:04pm
AndyRoo said | March 24th 2010 @ 4:04pm | Report comment
Even if they plan on pulling their funding they should have been provided with some notice. Gives them time to appeal for the decision to be reversed and/or work on a new viable structure.
People would also be more generous with donations if they knew they would be going off the air with any certainty, but instead a last minute no vote would mean they would be up against it to do something. It also means they must be hesitant in planning and making promises for the future since they know they have the specter over their head that the plug could be pulled any minute.