First Nations media organisations are acting quickly to support the Australian Government’s strategy to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and help protect vulnerable communities.
 
Playing a key role in communicating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and creating a two-way dialogue for information, 60 First Nations media organisations are operating in over 235 communities across Australia, and producing media content in more than 25 languages.
 
First Nations radio services are particularly useful in times of crisis, and are immediate, accessible, culturally appropriate and impactful, and an essential service for emergency information, health and education services, social inclusion and the timely delivery of locally and nationally relevant news services.
 
These broadcasting services reach approximately 320,000 First Nations people across the country each week, including 100,000 people considered very hard to reach through a network of Remote Indigenous Broadcast Services (RIBS).
 
CEO of FNMA, Catherine Liddle, says, “Our primary focus during this time is to support and protect our member organisations and the broader First Nations media sector in the process of delivering essential information to their audiences. We are assessing this on a daily basis and are liaising closely with State and Federal Government bodies and other peak bodies, to ensure sustainability and continued support, for the sector and for our people.”

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