As Australia braces itself for a watershed moment with the upcoming referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, slated for 14 October 2023, SBS and its affiliated channel, National Indigenous Television (NITV), are going above and beyond to offer in-depth, multi-platform coverage aimed at equipping Australians with well-rounded perspectives on this critical issue.
Documentaries to Premiere: Spotlight on First Nations Activism and Challenges
On the documentary front, NITV will debut three compelling films, each spotlighting significant elements within the Indigenous community. The first, “You Can Go Now,” features activist and globally renowned artist Richard Bell. It is set to premiere on Sunday, 24 September, at 8:30 pm on both NITV and SBS.
The feature-length documentary offers a critical look at 50 years of First Nations activism through the eyes of Bell, showcasing interviews with notable figures such as Linda Burney, Minister for Indigenous Australia; Chelsea Watego, Indigenist Health Expert; and political activist Bob Weatherall.
The second is a four-part series, “Rebel with a Cause,” scheduled for its first airing on 1 October at 9:00 pm. The series commemorates Queensland-based First Nations pioneers across diverse sectors, namely media, politics, poetry, and law. Celebrated individuals include Senator Neville Bonner, poet Oodgeroo Noonuccal, magistrate Pat O’Shane, and media figurehead Tiga Bayles.
The third, “Keeping Hope,” addresses the harrowing issue of suicide rates among young Indigenous men in the Kimberley region.
Presented by Nyikina actor Mark Coles Smith, who himself grew up in the Kimberley, this poignant documentary debuts on Sunday, 10 September, at 8.40 pm and will encore on SBS on Wednesday, 13 September, at 8.30 pm.
Special Episodes of Flagship Current Affairs Shows
In addition to documentaries, SBS will enrich its current affairs programming with special episodes of its flagship shows “Dateline” and “Insight,” guest presented by award-winning journalist Karla Grant. On “Dateline,” airing on 19 September at 9.30 pm, Grant embarks on a personal journey to Norway to explore how the Indigenous Parliament of the Sámi people has functioned over the last three decades.
Meanwhile, “Insight” will air a special episode on 10 October at 8.30 pm, assembling a varied group of Australians to share their voting intentions and the dialogues they’re having to influence others’ voting decisions.
Ongoing Programs: Elevating Community Voices
“The Point: Referendum Road Trip,” an existing current affairs show, continues to journey through Australia, offering firsthand community perspectives on Indigenous issues. Hosted by John Paul Janke and Narelda Jacobs, the program airs on Tuesdays and aims to provide a platform for extensive, on-the-ground conversations ahead of the referendum.
Multilingual Coverage: SBS’s Network-wide Approach
Leveraging its unique strength in reaching diverse communities, SBS is also providing ongoing, exhaustive coverage across its platforms including NITV News, SBS News, and SBS Audio which will be available in more than 60 languages. On the day of the referendum, there will be live coverage on NITV to capture the event’s unfolding moments.
Tanya Denning-Orman, Director of Indigenous Content at SBS, emphasized the network’s crucial role in equipping Australians to make an informed vote. She stated that SBS and NITV are steadfast in their mission to showcase “powerful stories of those driving change for a better future” and also to provide trusted news coverage leading up to the historic vote.
To ensure the Australian public is fully informed on this monumental referendum, SBS has established a dedicated Voice Referendum portal at sbs.com.au/VoiceReferendum.
This hub features a wide array of articles, videos, and podcasts in over 60 languages.
