ADVERTISEMENT
ABS data backs the need for more and better services from SBS
28 August 2008
Data released today by SBS shows that cultural and linguistic diversity in Australia is becoming more complex increasing the need for new and improved services to help new arrivals in Australia as well as established communities.
An analysis of data from the 2006 National Census and the Australian Bureau of Statistics' General Social Survey conducted by SBS shows that the needs of established communities are changing while new and emerging communities are creating demand for new services.
"As Australia's multicultural and multilingual broadcaster, SBS exists to provide vital communications services for culturally and linguistically diverse communities as well to provide programs and services that help reflect the true multicultural Australia, to all Australians," SBS Managing Director Shaun Brown said.
"With no real increase in funding in more than a decade SBS is not able to keep pace with changes in contemporary multicultural Australia and demands from consumers for new services, online and on-demand.
"SBS has plans to expand its television, radio and online services to help meet the increasingly complex language and content needs of the Australian community. But we need the funds and the means to do so. Without an injection of funds, Australia's culturally and linguistically diverse communities will pay the price.
"With an increase in funding in next year's Federal Budget, SBS could expand its range of sub-titled and Australian content, access more foreign language news services for our World Watch program and increase the number of radio channels to nine to better service existing language communities and include new languages in our radio line-up.
"An inclusive and cohesive society cannot be left to chance and a more complex multicultural society creates new pressures for services, particularly from SBS. Social inclusion requires adequate services that enable Australians of all backgrounds to participate in public life and benefit from the opportunities Australian society offers.
"Providing for community need has always been a crucial role for SBS and we must continue to find means of delivering communications services that are relevant to the needs of Australia's diverse population. This data will help SBS make the case to the Australian Government for adequate funding so we can deliver more and better services to the Australian community."
The key findings of the SBS research released today include: