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UWS
Latest News
A new era in community television
Date: 18/03/2004
Sydney's
new community television licence holder is promising
to explore and redefine the notion of community media,
with a commitment to deliver quality, culturally-diverse
programming for all sectors of the community.
The
Australian Broadcasting Authority has today awarded
Sydney's new permanent community licence, to be broadcast
on UHF Channel 31, to Television Sydney (TVS) Limited.
TVS
is a non-profit consortium of Educational Training
Community Television (ETC TV) Limited and Sydney Local
Information Community Educational Television Incorporated
(SLICE TV). ETC TV is an umbrella group for educational
institutions established by the University of Western
Sydney and Metro Screen. SLICE TV is an umbrella group
for Sydney community organisations, independent program
producers and individuals.
The
University's TVS representative, Associate Professor
Kaye Shumack, says the new station will offer greater
diversity in educational and community programming
than has previously been available.
"TVS
will become a forum for ideas and programs, produced
by community groups or individuals who don't usually
have access to TV broadcasting. We are committed to
giving the community, education and training institutions
and governments a greater say in what goes to air,"
Associate Professor Shumack says.
"We
want to offer a range of informative news, current
affairs and cultural programs to explore and relate
the stories and issues that aren't currently being
addressed by mainstream media.
"It's
also an opportunity to showcase diversity, and demonstrate
the way that media can represent different cultures,
social justice issues and the arts.
"Audiences
will also enjoy higher quality production values and
editorial standards than many programs previously
broadcast on community television in general."
Associate
Professor Shumack says the new broadcaster will also
provide valuable industry training.
"Because
of the involvement of educational providers like UWS
and Metro Screen, and advances in high-quality, affordable
digital recording and editing equipment, TVS will
provide hands-on, practical experience for future
television technicians, program producers, journalists
and filmmakers," she says.
"As
part of the programming, we would envisage UWS journalism
students compiling a weekly current affairs program.
Other community groups with interests in news, current
affairs and other programming formats are also invited
to register their interest."
All
locally produced community TV programs that have previously
been broadcasting on Channel 31 with temporary licence-holder
CTS are now invited to apply to continue broadcasts
with the new TVS service.
Under
the ABA's regulations, all previous community broadcasts
by CTS on Channel 31 (Sydney) will cease tomorrow.
The new TVS community service is expected to begin
broadcasts in 2005.
Ends
Contact:
Senior Media Officer
Angela McIntyre
a.mcintyre@uws.edu.au
02 9852 5822, 0419 244 595
Links:
ABA
Press Release: Community Television Licence Allocated
For Sydney
University
Of Western Sydney: Latest News
Media
Man Australia: Channel 31 Profile
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