Mudburra and Wagadagam woman, Natalie Ahmat, has been appointed as the Head of Indigenous News and Current Affairs at National Indigenous Television (NITV).
Natalie Ahmat, an award-winning journalist, producer and presenter, will be responsible for overseeing the output of NITV’s daily news, its current affairs line-up, including the weekly show The Point and the long-running Living Black, and news coverage of special events.
Ahmat has been a member of NITV’s inaugural news team since 2008 and has been at the forefront of reporting news and events from a First Nations perspective in the Australian media. She has reported and broadcasted from communities across the continent for over 15 years and has been the long-time anchor of NITV News, which is Australia’s only dedicated First Nations national news bulletin.
She has also presented live coverage of a range of significant national events, including NITV’s rolling coverage on January 26 each year and the annual Garma Festival in northeast Arnhem Land.
Ahmat is also a senior member of NITV’s news and current affairs team, where she has extensive experience behind the camera as a producer.
Her appointment as the Head of Indigenous News and Current Affairs is expected to reinforce NITV’s commitment to provide quality news and current affairs programming that reflects the Indigenous perspective.
General Manager of NITV, Peter Noble, a Girramay and Bandjin man, said:
“Nat is one of Australia’s most experienced Indigenous affairs journalists, trusted by communities to tell their stories.
She’s passionate about exploring issues through a First Nations lens and embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into the stories that matter for all Australians.
Her determination and dedication to the work she does is underpinned by a wonderful warmth that sees her connect with people in a unique way, whether on Country, on screen, or in the newsroom.
We’re thrilled to have Nat leading the team, and at such an important time in the national conversation.”
On her appointment, Natalie added:
“NITV’s news and current affairs play a vital role in providing a platform for First Nations voices to be heard.
There are so many wonderful stories of the people and places of this country that we have unique access to and are privileged to share, along with the trust of communities to shine a light on issues and explore them with nuance and understanding unlike any other broadcaster.
I’m proud to have the opportunity to work with the incredibly talented news and current affairs team at NITV, as we continue to amplify and elevate these stories, at a time when we know the importance of ensuring Australians are listening.”
Natalie will continue to maintain an on-air presence on Nula and across special events coverage.
