Public Funding For Community TV Assists Freedom of Speech

Media release

Australian Protectionist Party National Chairman and South Australian Spokesman Mr. Andrew Phillips today called upon the new Federal government to allocate funds to assist community television stations to go digital.

“Community television could be vital to giving Australians a more balanced and informed view to developments and events in our society” Mr. Phillips said, “particularly considering the overwhelming control by overseas interests and multinationals of our media.”

The Australian Protectionist Party recognizes the need for Australians to have greater access to information and diverse opinions in order to ensure democratic and open discussion on issues affecting society and the nation as a whole. Access to quality community broadcasting is an important part of enabling our society to address issues of concern.

“While community television can be seen to have its drawbacks, being used as a platform for promoting the concerns of homosexual lobby groups or the screening of ethnic programs which discourage assimilation into Australian society, it has also provided some television personalities with their first break into media, Rove McManus and Vasili Kanidiadis to name a few” Mr. Phillips continued.

“Community television could be an invaluable medium for educating the wider Australian community about rural and regional issues, developments within our society which for a variety of reasons do not make news on major stations and to allow various community organizations an opportunity to voice their concerns”.

“If Kevin Rudd really is serious when he talks of honesty, transparency, accountability and education revolution – then here is an opportunity for him to put our money where his mouth is” Mr. Phillips concluded.

Statement issued by Mr. Andrew Phillips
National Chairman and S.A. spokesman, Australian Protectionist Party
9th December 2007