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
Rob
Guest
NITV exits as a vehicle for the expression of aboriginality. I thinks its contemptible that you guys can only see it as another vehicle for AFL imperialism.
dingus
Guest
Jimbo, lets be realistic here. Imparja had its chance to do something like Marngrook and Barefoot when it launched in 1988 (22 yrs ago!!!). What programs has it done? none. In fact Imparja is now a part of Ch9, and only broadcasts commercial shows (including the Ch9 Footy Show - the less said about that the better!). Yet in the 3 years that NITV has been around, and with next to no $$$, it's created two shows that are universally loved by both codes right around the country. Just read the posts above to see the evidence. PS: NITV also broadcast the first ever coverage of a national Indigenous cricket competition called...the Imparja Cup! they didnt even broadcast their own competition!!! soz Jimbo, Imparja's days as a credible Indigenous broadcaster are over. give their $$$ to NITV I say!
Karlos
Guest
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.
Karlos
Guest
Thanks for the link. We can agree on this one.
Karlos
Guest
The original article stated that fact with the Barefoot Rugby League show. By far the best Rugby League programme other than the games themselves. That is even so after they chopped half an hour off it. Yes, AFL and NRL fans should get behind this one. It is a a great station all up if you want to pull your head out of the usual garbage. Lots of positive stuff on Indigenous people and communities. Something they really need. I hope Peter Garret's bed is burning.
allblackfan
Guest
Jimbo, why the hell should the NRL contribute money to a station that actively promotes AFL?!?!? Does it promote NRL as well?
BigAl
Guest
Yes yes Jimbo ! . . . but, Imean ... this IS a sports forum not a cultural forum !
jimbo
Roar Guru
A very worthy cause, but there is already a national indigenous TV station called Imparja, which is run by indigenous people. Perhaps the AFL and NRL could chip in some of their hundreds of millions to help them stay afloat, instead of relying on the government again. Would be fantastic PR and help to get those Auskick numbers up. Your main concern seems to be the loss of the AFL and RL programs and not the hundreds of other cultural shows they run.
jimbo
Guest
This is a very worthy cause, but wait a minute, I thought the AFL and NRL don't get a cent in government assistance and don’t need it. Maybe the AFL and the NRL could chip in a few of their hundreds of millions to keep the indigenous AFL and RL programs and the station going, instead of relying on government money again.
Brett McKay
Guest
I must agree....
Hammer
Guest
well then that makes his call for an "Australian ‘haka" even more baffling
Brett McKay
Guest
both Hammer, Maori father and Aboriginal mother (or vice versa). He was eligible to play for Australia and New Zealand, and had to pick for both codes...
BigAl
Guest
Interesting Garrett's involvement in this. I remember at the closing ceremony for the 2000 Olympics he and the Oils added an unscripted Aboriginal protest feature to their act. I think Mr Garrett is learning now - just how far easier it is being outside the tent pissing in ...
Hammer
Guest
Isn't Tamana Tahu of Maori ancestry ... and as such would know SFA about indigenous Australian culture
Republican
Guest
Lorry With all respect to Tamana Tahu and you, I don't think analogies between our indig and NZ's are at all relevant or helpful in this respect. As you correctly stated, Idig languages are many despite many being lost over time sadly. One language and a smallish land mass galvinised Maori culture which has much to do with why they are such an empowered people today. I personally find any concept suggesting an Aust Indig style Haka tokenistic really. The Maori Haka is indeed considered by some, little more than a markeiting tool for the branding of NZ these days. The didg for example has been misappropriated in that respect also, never truely reflective of all of our indigenous, rather being convined to a specific region. It is a fine line in maintaining the integrity of any culture while selectively looking to subsume elements of it, in forging a generic identitiy that sets out to reflect mainstream contemporary culture. I believe you need to be extremely careful because you run the risk of disneyfyeing the essence of culture in this process. I think the fact that Idig Australia played a significant role in developing our National Football code, is in itself, a powerful cultural symbol. Cheers
Redb
Roar Guru
Thanks to all for your comments and support of NITV. The marngrook footy show last night was again far better than its Ch 9 counterpart.
BigAl
Guest
"what about an Australian ‘haka’?" !! - I'm afraid this suggestion just reeks of the attitudes & sentiments that you appear to be raling against ! If yours was a serious post, I will just put it down to another effort by someone with the best intentions just missing the point.
Redb
Roar Guru
We have a long way to go in Australia, supporting NITV is part of the learning.
Lorry
Guest
Thanks for writing the article - worthy of support. Can I just make a point that I think there's no such thing as 'reverse racism'. If I, a white Australian, and an Aboriginal Australian go for the same job, I will most likely get it, because I am not Aboriginal. This is racist, and Australia really has a long way to go on this issue... If you want to see a country which is far further ahead, just look across the ditch to New Zealand. Have you ever noticed that the Sky News NZ host signs out with something in Maori? Why couldn't something like that happen here (I know there are many, many more indigenous languages but...)? Or what about an Australian 'haka'? I remember Tamana Tahu once suggested that. Sadly, most Aussies would probably just laugh at the suggestion...
StormGal
Guest
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.