REGIONAL TELEVISION SERVICES

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (16:11): I move:

That this council—

1. Condemns the decision of WIN Television Network to axe its local regional news services in the Riverland and South-East.

2. Condemns—

(a) the removal of a vital source of information and engagement from these local communities;

(b) the failure to consult with the local communities to ensure that regional television meets community expectations and obligations; and

(c) the manner in which staff was informed of their dismissal and the now reduced opportunity for the development of journalists and news reporting in regional South Australia.

This motion concerns regional television news services. The WIN Television Network this week informed staff that they were axing the local news service in the Riverland and the South-East. I have had many conversations this week with people from Mount Gambier particularly who are very concerned with this development.

Many people learn about events or decisions that will directly impact their lives from local media. Local media helps to inform people, helps people to better understand each other's lives and the challenges that are jointly facing communities. Local media engages with the community. It is not just about people receiving information; it is a two-way engagement. People have an opportunity to inform the media and each other. Particularly for me, a very important part of local regional media was the footy scores where it was easy to have a look at how much North Gambier beat the Victorian teams by on the weekend.

Many regional areas—Mount Gambier, in particular—are well served by other local media. ABC, commercial and community radio, and local papers all provide important information but the different media often have different roles. The type of stories and information provided by radio, television and newspapers is different and all are important. Regional media outlets are not in competition but cover different stories from different angles and in different ways. Local content on a television station in a regional area is desirable. It is not just news either. I can remember myself, not in the too distant past, when Mount Gambier's Channel 8 had its own morning cartoon show, its own version of community interest and current affairs on Women's World and local sporting broadcasts.

I think the importance of this sort of local content is not just nostalgic yearning for the way things used to be. These sorts of programs featured local presenters, local sponsors by local businesses and were part of the shared experience of many people. It helps to build and bind communities.

Another element of this motion deals with the way in which this decision was made, particularly how staff were informed. Politics can be a tough line of work but media can be brutal. For staff to turn up to work on a Monday, some after filming stories over the weekend, and be told their jobs are immediately gone and that there will be no more news and no chance to farewell an audience seems unnecessarily harsh and not a fair way to treat people. I commend this motion to the chamber. I will give members proper notice but I will be keen for this motion to be finalised as soon as possible to send a strong message of support from this parliament.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. D.W. Ridgway.