Just months since being elected, Labor has made it their mission to keep community television alive in the hope of giving aspiring media professionals a head start with their careers. (Image: Kristen Hamill)
By Amelia Walters | @ameliacwalters
For many film and journalism students, breaking into the business is a tiresome and vigorous process.
But, since being elected in May, the Labor Party has made it their goal to extend community television in the hopes of giving university students and aspiring broadcast workers the opportunity to work in the media industry.
For nearly a decade, the Liberal Government attempted to abolish community television; however, that has taken a swift turn with the new Labor Government changing this trajectory in under three months.
UniSA student and Channel 44 producer for travel show Off the Couch with Ethan, Ethan White, says community television brings endless opportunity to those who are wanting to start their careers and share locals’ stories.
“How could a large commercial TV station with millions of viewers hone in on local issues?” Mr White said. “It doesn’t quite work.”
“Community TV is such a diverse landscape with people from all walks of life, backgrounds, cultures, languages and religions, who all come together in one place.
“You simply do not get that on mainstream TV.”
In support of this, Federal Communications Minister, Michelle Rowland, has promised more funding for community broadcasting and hopes to see an extension of community television until an alternate use for the radio frequency spectrum is found.
“The Labor Government will deliver a $29 million local news and community broadcasting transition package to help regional, local and community media providers,” Ms Rowland said.
“Labor’s commitment will maintain community broadcasting funding so the sector can continue to support their communities with local news, emergency broadcasting and local content.”
Director for Channel 44’s SA Sports Show, Drew Downing, says Labor’s promise will not only help students like him continue to master his craft, but also allow the university facilities to continue to be utilised.
“What is so special about working on the SA Sports Show is that everyone from the cameramen to the floor manager are all students who have been given an opportunity to work with industry professionals,” Mr Downing said.
“We are so lucky that UniSA shoots and records shows like the SA Sports Show and Our Time right here on the Magill campus; you just can’t get that anywhere else in South Australia.”
If it wasn’t for Labor’s extension of community television, local shows like Our Time could not have celebrated milestones like their 500th episode, which aired last month.
During the episode, 19-time Logie winner and television icon Anne Wills (Willsy) highlighted the importance of student involvement at Channel 44 and the evolutionary change she has seen regarding female representation in the media.
“What I’m loving about the television show here is the number of ladies that [Our Time] have working on the show,” Ms Wills said.
“When I first started, we had no ladies doing anything, and now you have women working on cameras, audio, and floor managing.
“It’s just so wonderful to see.”
The community broadcasting licence is set to expire in June 2024; however, the Labor Government has promised to try and extend the licence further, which in turn will boost careers and opportunities for all upcoming media professionals.
If you wish to learn more or get involved with community TV, visit the Channel 44 website or check out Federal Communications Minister Michelle Rowland’s media release.
ontherecordunisa.com 
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