The Senate has called on the Government to keep Community Television on air.
Yesterday a motion, moved by Labor Senators, acknowledging the value of local community television services and calling on the Government to keep Channel 31 Melbourne and Channel 44 Adelaide on air was passed on the voices.
The Government did not oppose the motion.
The Minister for Communications and the Arts, Paul Fletcher, should now do the right thing and exercise his discretion to extend the licences which expire on 30 June this year.
Minister Fletchers feeble response during Question Time yesterday demonstrates amply that there is no good reason for booting Community TV off air.
The Minister says the Government wants to put the spectrum to alternative use - he didnt name one, and even confirmed the radiofrequency spectrum in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth is currently going to waste.
The Minister says the best new Aussie talent is now being developed over the American platform YouTube which may be news to Australias public, commercial and subscription media but conveniently ignores Government cuts to Screen Australia and the ABC and ignores the digital divide in Australia is substantial and widening for some cohorts.
There are many good reasons for keeping Community TV on-air: It provides a voice for local stories, a platform for local arts, sporting and multicultural events, a training ground for emerging journalists, producers and screen talent and access to local religious services, particularly important for the elderly isolated at home without internet access during the pandemic.
The Minister likes to say he supports the media industry, public interest journalism and the creative industries. Well, now is his chance to prove it.
Authorised by Paul Erickson, ALP, Canberra.