Indigenous TV Network Seeks New Members

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TUESDAY NOVEMBER 11 2008

Indigenous TV Network Seeks New Members

A global network of indigenous television broadcasters is inviting like-minded organisations to join the international alliance.

The World Indigenous Television Broadcasters Network (WITBN) aims to unify television broadcasters worldwide to retain and grow indigenous languages and cultures.

The nine foundation Council members are National Indigenous Television (NITV), Australia; Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), Canada; TG4, Ireland;  Maori Television, New Zealand; NRK Sámi Radio, Norway; BBC ALBA, Scotland; South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), South Africa; Taiwan Indigenous TV (TITV) / Public Television Service (PTS), Taiwan; and S4C, Wales.

WITBN chairman Jim Mather – chief executive of Maori Television – says there are two levels of membership: Council and Associate.

Council members must be indigenous television broadcasters that have a mandate to promote and revitalise the indigenous languages and cultures of their countries, or be non-indigenous broadcasters able to demonstrate commitment and a proven record of contributing to retention and development of indigenous languages and cultures. Broadcasters can include content providers and aggregators.

Associate members are organisations that meet the Council membership criteria but do not wish to participate in the leadership of WITBN or are other key stakeholders who wish to support the objectives of the network.

Mr Mather says the network promotes partnerships and co-operation between member broadcasters, and builds capacity and capability within the indigenous television broadcasting sector by identifying opportunities for development, staff exchanges, training, bursaries, scholarships and networking opportunities.

As well as a new logo, WITBN will launch a dedicated website by the end of this year. The aim of the website is to facilitate sharing amongst indigenous television broadcasters and will include information and links on member organisations, membership application forms and latest news.

“WITBN also facilitates the sharing of programme concepts, content for broadcast and news and current affairs materials, and an indigenous current affairs programme is in development,” Mr Mather says.

Taiwan Indigenous Television – supported by the Public Television Service – will host the next World Indigenous Television Broadcasting Conference in 2010 followed by S4C in Wales in 2012 and APTN in Canada in 2014.

Membership application forms for WITBN are available on the website www.witbn.org.

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