There is only weeks to go before broadcasters, leaders and influencers from throughout the world come together to re-imagine the future of indigenous television – so do not delay and secure your seat today! Māori Television – in partnership with Te Puni Kōkiri and Kordia™ – will host the World Indigenous Television Broadcasting Conference in Auckland, New Zealand, from March 26-28. This inaugural conference will be the catalyst for discussions that will have major importance for all indigenous peoples. Click here to register to attend.
WITBC ’08 has confirmed an exceptional line-up of keynote and featured guest speakers from Timor-Leste, United States, South Africa, Scotland, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Wales, Taiwan and Aotearoa-New Zealand. Each of the guest speakers will be interviewed following their presentation, enabling the audience to ask questions, access more information, and engage and interact with the interviewee. Click here to view the full conference programme.
A global network of indigenous broadcasters will be launched at WITBC ’08. The World Indigenous Television Broadcasting Network is aimed at promoting indigenous broadcasting at the highest levels internationally and at fostering closer relationships between broadcasters. Indigenous television leaders are encouraged to attend the conference and contribute to this important milestone in the development of indigenous broadcasting.
The Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand, Hon Dr Michael Cullen, will talk about the Government’s commitment to indigenous development and the role of television in that development on Day One of WITBC ’08. Māori Television is funded by the Government in acknowledgement of its commitment to promote and protect te reo Māori and tikanga Māori – Māori language and culture. The Government’s Māori broadcasting funding agency, Te Māngai Pāho, is also the major provider of funding for programmes produced by Māori Television. Click here to read more about Te Māngai Pāho.
Simon Molaudzi, Head of Education at the South African Broadcasting Corporation, joins the prestigious line-up of featured guest speakers at WITBC ’08. The corporation – whose vision is ‘Broadcasting for Total Citizen Empowerment’ – recognises its responsibility to address the marginalisation of indigenous languages in South Africa together with an obligation to reflect the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity. With 11 official languages and the complexities of post-apartheid society, how is the public broadcaster delivering to its vision? Click here for Simon Molaudzi’s profile.
WITBC ’08 will provide delegates with the opportunity to network with the movers and shakers in the world indigenous broadcasting community. The grand setting of the Auckland Town Hall is the scene of the official networking evening on Day One of the conference, while Ngā Aho Whakaari – the Māori film, television and video production community – presents a dynamic night of rapid fire presentations and networking opportunities on Day Two. Click here to read more about Ngā Aho Whakaari.
Delegates attending WITBC ’08 will have a unique opportunity to witness a major new initiative in indigenous television broadcasting – the launch of New Zealand’s first ever 100 per cent Māori language channel, Te Reo. The channel will be officially launched at a dawn ceremony at Māori Television’s Auckland studio on Friday March 28 before its first, live-to-air broadcast from the conference’s closing event at SKYCITY Convention Centre later that night. Click here to read more about Te Reo.