The Australian Community Television Alliance (ACTA) has called on the Federal Government to allocate a portion of Screen Australia funding to the producers of Community Television programs. This follows the recent announcement that Community Television stations are to be allocated digital spectrum for simulcasting in the period to December 2013 when analogue television transmissions will cease in the capital cities.
ACTA has written to Arts Minister Peter Garrett pointing out the Community Television sector's ability to foster the development of new and innovative local content and to provide a training ground for new entrants to the screen industry.
"As the responsible Minister, Mr Garrett has the authority to instruct Screen Australia to allocate some of its substantial funds to Community Television producers and to do so would be well and truly in keeping with the primary purposes of the organisation," according to ACTA Secretary and TVS Chief Executive Laurie Patton.
Community Television primarily broadcasts programs made by not-for-profit community groups and individuals who receive free program airtime. However, due to the constraints of their operating budgets stations are unable to provide program makers with financial support.
According to its website, Screen Australia has a budget of $60 million for investment in features, TV drama and documentaries in 2009/10. "If Screen Australia re-allocated just a small portion of its $60 million dollar production budget to Community Television producers we could see hundreds of new programs created," Mr Patton added.
16 November 2009
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