NSW Labor has pledged its support for independent multicultural media, and its intent to “reinvigorate” the state’s multicultural media “after 12 years of neglect by the NSW Liberals.”
They claim that “first as treasurer and now as premier Dominic Perrottet’s failure to support multicultural media has left many organisations fighting for survival.”
NSW Labor’s announcement comes one week after Premier Perrottet’s declaration the incumbent government, who face an election on 25 March, would double the state’s mandatory advertising spend on independent multicultural media to 15 per cent.
In a statement seen by Neos Kosmos, provided to independent multicultural media, NSW Labor assured they’d take steps to review government support in the field.
Among other points, they expressed an intent to audit spending on multicultural advertising and reduce the use of consultants and intermediaries in an effort to increase how much funding reaches organisations.
The promised review would also focus on “reducing the reliance on multinational social media platforms in favour of “home-grown digital media” and “developing ways to support digital transformation and journalistic excellence in the sector.”
Labor’s Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, Greek Australian Steve Kamper, described the Perrottet Government’s pledge to double funding as “an election sham.”
“Dominic Perrottet’s promise of 7.5 per cent of government’s advertising turned out to be a lie with many media companies seeing their advertising receipts going backwards,” Kamper said.
“Multicultural media is under threat due to a lack of NSW Government support.”
“The NSW Liberals have been funneling money to multinational platforms and media consultants instead of working directly with home-grown companies,” he claims.
The Opposition’s message echoes concerns raised by peak body Independent Multicultural Media Australia (IMMA).
While praising the Perrottet Government’s commitment to increase mandatory spend, the organisation expressed concern about a lack of funds targeting “sustainability and digital transformation.”
IMMA Secretary, Fotis Kapetopoulos (and Neos Kosmos journalist), speaking in relation to Labor’s statement said “IMMA has been in discussion with government and opposition focusing on support for independent multicultural media as essential public interest journalism.”
“While it is a welcome announcement to see both sides of politics address the government media percentage spend, IMMA expects more to be done for sustainability and digital transformation grants, as has already been done for regional media.”
“We look forward to working in partnership with the elected government to ensure we can continue to serve different language communities in NSW in languages other than English as well as in English.”
“We have intergenerational audiences and provide for their critical information needs in a way mainstream media cannot, and are also a voice for, and of our communities,” Kapetopoulos concluded.
With NSW’s state election only two days away, the issue of support in terms of advertising and funding for independent multicultural media has become a last minute touchstone that’s drawn the attention of both major parties.