PIJI research coordinator Maia Germano reports on last year’s First Nations Media Australia CONVERGE Conference.
Last November, PIJI attended First Nations Media Australia’s annual CONVERGE conference in Canberra. First Nations Media Australia is the peak body for First Nations broadcasting, media and communications in Australia.
The three-day conference at Old Parliament House provided a platform for the First Nations media industry to celebrate, connect, share lessons learned, and discuss a way forward for the sector under the CONVERGE 2023 theme ‘Our Media, Our Voice’. A range of issues were covered by presentations, panel discussions and Q & A sessions, including how to ensure media diversity and financial support for local news production.
Discussions focusing on the essential service that the First Nations media industry provides for the communities it represents and the challenges faced by the sector go directly to PIJI’s key interest in the sustainability of local news, particularly in regional and remote areas of Australia.
Journalist Stan Grant delivered a powerful keynote speech reflecting on his own four-decade career, emphasising the role of First Nations people as storytellers.
Conference attendees also heard from a number of First Nations Media Australia member organisations. Presentations by member organisations such as Umeewarra Media based in Port Augusta, Ngaarda Media based in the Pilbara, and Melbourne’s 3KND Kool ‘N’ Deadly highlighted the important work that community radio stations do to provide locally relevant and culturally appropriate news to their communities.
In a panel discussion, the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group facilitated a conversation around the benefits of improved access to telecommunications and media in a way that meets each communities’ needs. The Advisory Group is tasked with supporting work towards reaching the Closing the Gap target “equal digital inclusion” for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by 2026.
Another highlight was hearing from young First Nations people starting out in the media sector in print, radio and digital news, as well as in film and television. A key takeaway from this Q & A session was their passion to amplify First Nations voices through their work and their hope to inspire the next generation to pursue a career in the media sector.
PIJI was pleased to have the opportunity to attend the conference and listen to conversations and insights that were shared over the course of the conference, as well as the future challenges and goals for the First Nations media sector, and the broader Australian media sector as a whole.