◙ SBS will ensure indigenous channel is independent ◙

[◙ The Last 200 Days ◙]

SBS will ensure indigenous channel is independent

by: Amanda Meade
From:The Australian
May 24, 201212:20PM

A free-to-air National Indigenous Television Station would be on air before Christmas, SBS managing director Micheal Ebeid said last night.

Mr Ebeid, who was given $63 million over four years to launch the indigenous channel, assured a Senate Estimates Committee the channel would be independent and would retain its indigenous character.

It would be part of SBS' suite of channels but it would have its own channel manager, an indigenous person would represent it on the SBS Board and there would be an advisory panel, he said.

Mr Ebeid denied suggestions the funding would be used to subsidise SBS, and said it would be transparent where the funds were spent.

NITV was launched in 2007 and was almost shut down altogether after the 2010 but was saved by the transfer of funding to the SBS in the federal budget.

Mr Ebeid expressed his delight SBS had received a boost in funding in the federal budget and outlined how it was being spent.

He said new equipment had been ordered, studios were being refurbished and staff morale was much improved.

The federal government gave SBS an additional $158.1 million over five years including $63 million for NITV.