First Nations Media Australia facts for kids
First Nations Media Australia (FNMA) is an important group that helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people share their stories and news. They do this through radio, TV, and other media. FNMA works to make sure Indigenous voices are heard across Australia. It used to be called the Indigenous Remote Communications Association (IRCA).
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How It Started
The group that became FNMA officially began in 2001. It was first known as the Indigenous Remote Communications Association (IRCA). It started at a special event called the Remote Video Festival in Umuwa, South Australia.
At first, IRCA focused on media in remote Indigenous communities. But by 2016 and 2017, it grew much bigger. It became the main group for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander broadcasting and media across Australia.
What FNMA Does
As of 2024, FNMA is based in Mparntwe-Alice Springs. This is a central location in Australia.
FNMA organizes several events each year. One of their biggest events is the National Remote Indigenous Media Festival. This festival brings together people from Indigenous media to share ideas and celebrate their work. In September 2019, it was held for the 21st time.
Working with Others
FNMA often works with other organizations to achieve its goals. These partnerships help bring more Indigenous stories and music to everyone.
First Sounds Project
FNMA works with the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) on a project called First Sounds. This project helps more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists get their music played on Australian radio. It helps their songs reach a wider audience.
Partnership with ABC
On June 1, 2021, FNMA started a partnership with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). The ABC is a big national media company. For 12 months, FNMA and ABC shared ideas and staff. This helped bring more Indigenous voices and stories to Australian media.
Working with AIATSIS
FNMA has also worked closely with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS). AIATSIS has a huge collection of resources about Indigenous culture. FNMA helped turn many of these old resources into digital files. This makes them easier to access and preserve.
FNMA also helped set up a new AIATSIS center in Mparntwe-Alice Springs. This new center was officially opened on February 2, 2024.
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