Secretary-General Hails Launch of Australia’s First Indigenous Television Channel,

Saying NITV Will Challenge Stereotypes, Enrich All Citizens

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message for Australia’s first free-to-air indigenous TV channel, NITV, 12 December:

It is my great pleasure to congratulate Australia’s National Indigenous Television on the SBS Television Network.  This is a momentous achievement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Thirty years in the making, NITV will now have its rightful place in the Australian media landscape, alongside the various international and World Indigenous Television Broadcasters.

The establishment of NITV will help challenge stereotypes of indigenous peoples.  It will empower indigenous voices and influence the social and political agenda.  It will also play an important role in promoting the rights of indigenous peoples and safeguarding indigenous culture and language for years to come.

But, let us be clear:  NITV is not just for indigenous people.  The channel will enrich and benefit all Australians, who now have access to 60,000 years of powerful storytelling and knowledge.  This will improve understanding of Australia’s first peoples, and help to create a brighter future for all.

Congratulations, NITV, on this historic occasion.  The United Nations and I wish you great success.

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For information media • not an official record