60 politicians and representatives from the Community Broadcasting sector gathered in Parliament House Canberra this week to talk about community broadcasting.
He mentioned the valuable diversity and localism the sector provides, its capacity to service communities inadequately catered for by the mainstream media and its place as a vital component of the broadcasting world.
Basso also called on MPs and senators to reach out to their local community broadcasting media as a way to reach their constituents. Finally, he pushed for the sector to be included in plans to roll digital radio out to regional areas, saying that, “we see our future as being free to air broadcasting”.
The event was an opportunity to share information about community radio and television and to build relationships between the community broadcasting sector and elected representatives. This was particularly important in light of the troubling recommendation to cut government funding in the recent National Commission of Audit.
The group also viewed a video presentation on the community broadcasting sector, which revealed the number one reason people listen to community radio is for local news and information.
Pictured above: Minister for Communications Malcolm Turnbull with Warren Entsch MP, Teresa Gambaro MP, Nola Marino MP, David Coleman MP and CBAA General Manager Jon Bisset and CBAA President Adrian Basso.
Great little clip.