25 October 2007
Internationally renowned speakers who are industry experts in the fields of broadcasting, media and indigenous languages will play a leading role in the inaugural World Indigenous Television Broadcasting Conference to be held in Auckland in March 2008.
Leaders, producers and planners involved in indigenous and public television must register online at www.witbc.org before November 30 to receive a special early bird rate to the three-day event. New Zealand’s national indigenous broadcaster, Māori Television, is hosting the first ever gathering of indigenous television leaders from throughout the world.
“Māori Television has secured highly accomplished and internationally renowned leaders and industry experts as featured guest speakers who – from their own experiences – can speak about the development of indigenous peoples and the future for indigenous broadcasting,” says Māori Television chief executive Jim Mather. “These speakers will set the tone for the conference and provide the encouragement for indigenous broadcasters to respond to the conference theme of reclaiming the future of indigenous identities, cultures and languages.”
The conference sessions include:
LEADING THE PACK – John Walter Jones, Chairman, S4C, Wales: Welsh indigenous broadcaster S4C celebrates its 25th anniversary in November 2007. Chairman John Walter Jones gives us an insight into the model that has ensured the success and longevity of one of the world’s oldest indigenous broadcasters, and how that model has ensured the advancement of Welsh language, culture and people. Mr Jones will outline the key challenges facing S4C and how it is addressing those challenges to ensure future development in this digital world of progressively fragmenting audiences.
A NATIONAL BROADCASTER IN ITS OWN RIGHT – Jean LaRose, Chief Executive, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Canada: Canadian indigenous broadcaster APTN may be only eight years old but chief executive Jean LaRose is targeting the kind of growth that will see APTN recognised as Canada’s fourth national broadcaster by its 10th anniversary. Join Mr LaRose as he outlines the strategies APTN is employing to ensure this remarkable goal is met.
STRIVING FOR SUCCESS – Jim Mather, Chief Executive, Māori Television, Aotearoa-New Zealand: Māori Television will celebrate four years on air in 2008 with the launch of a second channel that will broadcast in the Māori language only. Once a political football, Māori Television has achieved the kind of start that has earned it increasing public support and headlines such as ‘Māori TV is a major success story’ and ‘The little channel that could’ – these from hardened mainstream media. Mr Mather provides insight into the strategies and critical success factors behind the channel’s success to date, and his aspirations for its future.
INDEPENDENCE AT LAST – Pol O Gallchoir, Chief Executive, TG4, Ireland: Irish indigenous broadcaster TG4 began life 10 years ago under the guardianship of the country’s public broadcaster RTE. Hail January 2007, the date that marked the start of TG4’s life as an independent broadcaster responsible for its own destiny. But what does independence hold for TG4 and what strategy is it pursuing to ensure it thrives as an independent operation?
INDIGENOUS TV COMES TO AUSTRALIA – Patricia Turner, Chief Executive, National Indigenous Television, Australia: The plight of Australia’s indigenous peoples over many years is well documented. But earlier this year Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders had cause to celebrate when they launched their own indigenous channel, NITV. Chief executive Patricia Turner outlines the journey of NITV to establishment and the pathway it will take to grow into Australia’s newest ‘national’ broadcaster with a reputation for delivering the best programmes the country has seen.
PUBLIC BROADCASTER MEETS INDIGENOUS BROADCASTER – COLLABORATION OR COMPETITION? – Shaun Brown, Chief Executive, SBS, Australia: Indigenous broadcasting is an emerging industry worldwide. Publicly funded, both indigenous and public broadcasting are closely aligned. Formerly head of television at TVNZ and now chief executive at Australian ethnic broadcaster SBS, Shaun Brown shares his views on the role of mainstream public broadcasters in supporting indigenous broadcasting, and tackles the argument for the commercial imperative in public service television.
GETTING IT RIGHT – Yuan-hui Hu, President/Chief Executive, Public Television Service, Taiwan: ITV, Taiwan’s indigenous broadcaster, became a member of Taiwan’s public broadcasting group, Taiwan Broadcasting System (TBS), on January 1 2007. This may not have been a development favoured by some of Taiwan’s indigenous community. How has TBS gone about structuring ITV to ensure the formerly independent indigenous broadcaster retains its independence, identity and voice?
Leaders, producers and planners involved in indigenous and public television can register their interest to attend the World Indigenous Television Broadcasting Conference at www.witbc.org.
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For images, interviews or further information, contact:
Vanessa Horan
Kaiwhakaputa (Publicist)
Māori Television
DDI: +64 9 539 7159
MOB: +64 21 928 007
EML: