ABC signs partnerships with First Languages Australia and First Nations Media Australia

This press release is republished with permission from the ABC.

The ABC has signed strategic partnerships with two peak Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations that will see an increase in the use of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander names and languages used on all ABC platforms.

The partnerships will run from 2023-2026 and encourage two-way learning while supporting career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working in media.

First Languages Australia

The First Languages Australia (FLA) partnership will see a continuation of current projects such as This Place, which shares the stories behind place names, station identifications and ABC Education projects like Good Mornings.

The ABC’s Head of Indigenous, Diversity & Inclusion, Kelly Williams, said the existing collaborations with First Languages Australia had resulted in the creation of more than 100 pieces of video content featuring place names from around the nation.

“This strategic partnership deepens the connections between ABC offices and language centres across Australia to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders languages are included in ABC programming and thus the national conversation.”

FLA CEO Beau Williams said: “Our partnership with the ABC has been a strong asset in our efforts to increase public awareness of the many hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages of this continent. First Languages Australia is looking forward to continuing our work with the ABC to present community-led and owned stories that share the wonders of our nations.”

First Nations Media Australia

The First Nations Media Australia (FNMA) partnership will extend the current focus on collaboration around content, knowledge sharing and industry support for a further three years.

FNMA CEO Professor Shane Hearn said First Nations Media Australia was thrilled to announce the extension of their partnership with the ABC.

“This collaboration represents a significant step towards amplifying Indigenous voices and narratives through media and signifies our shared commitment to fostering a vibrant First Nations media landscape. Over the next three years, I’m looking forward to us building upon our foundation of content collaboration, knowledge sharing, and industry support.

“Our focus on skills development in news and current affairs; content amplification through FNMA’s IndigiTUBE platform; and the ongoing contributions of decommissioned resources to our members, will empower Indigenous voices and strengthen our collective impact.”

ABC’s Kelly Williams said: “I am excited that the ABC and First Nations Media Australia are continuing to work together to support and increase the visibility of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories and perspectives in the media.”