WITBN welcomes two full members and one associate member to the big family of the global Indigenous media alliance: First Nations Experience (Los Angeles, U.S.), One Television (Solomon Islands), and Thai Public Broadcasting Service.
Full Member: First Nations Experience
First Nations Experience (FNX) is an Indigenous channel in southern California and east of Los Angeles, California, U.S., with a scheduled launch date in September. An initiative and a new partnership between the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and San Bernardino-based KVCR television, FNX is expected to be the first Native American television channel in the United States.
FNX will be broadcasted 24/7 through multiple platforms, including TV and Web, and offers an outlet for Native American and Indigenous people to express and share their experience and values. With US$6 million start-up funding from San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and the technical expertise of KVCR television, the channel aims at bringing into focus the vast and varied treasury of Indigenous stories, cultures, issues, and values from across North America and beyond.
Calls For Submission: Before Aug. 15, 2011
FNX is now calling for submissions for unscripted and scripted television and web content featuring programming that celebrates Native American and Indigenous cultures. The new channel seeks content in the areas of music, health, environment, lifestyle, youth, entertainment, short film, history, “evergreen” news and current affairs.
For submission detail, visit: FirstNationsExperience.org/producers
For more information about FNX, visit: FirstNationsExperience.org; for more information about San Manuel Ban of Mission Indians, visit: www.SanManuel-nsn.gov
Full Member: One Television Solomon Islands
Established in June 2006, One Television Solomon Islands is the first and only television service in Solomon Islands. A privately-owned commercial organization that operates Free to Air, One TV broadcasts local news, sports, entertainment, and other educational programs in Solomon Pidgin mixed with English.
Nicked named “one-dollar company”, Managing Director Dorothy Wickham started One TV from scratch with only five employees in a storeroom bought from Wickham’s relative. The space has now been converted into a fully equipped television headquarter.
Although One TV is not officially recognized as a national television, Wickham says the station operates as a public broadcaster and does not focus on profit maximization.
“We now have 55 staff and they are all Indigenous and we are in the process of starting Indigenous language programs.”
Other than self-produced news, One TV also has agreements with Al Jazeera and Germany’s international broadcaster Deutsche Welle Television to provide international news to its audience. In 2006, One TV successfully obtained the right to broadcast 2006 FIFA world cup – the very first time in Solomon Islands.
For more information about One Television Solomon Islands, visit: www.OneTelevision.com.sb
Associate Member: Thai Public Broadcasting System
Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS) began broadcasting in January 2008 under the Thai Public Broadcasting Service Act. As Thailand’s first free-to-air national public broadcaster, Thai PBS has quickly earned a distinctive place in the Thai broadcast industry with its bold and independent news reporting and a wide range of thought-provoking and knowledge-building programs. Thai PBS is noted for its editorial independence, becoming the most trusted broadcaster over the past two years during one of the most critical time in Thailand’s history.
Thai PBS’ vision is to be a public media institution that promotes a just and informed society, while providing innovative and comprehensive high quality broadcasting.
Financed with tobacco and alcohol taxes that amount to 2 billion baht (US$65 million) annually, Thai PBS is committed to enlightening the public with its diverse educational and entertainment programs while abiding by its code of ethics that requires fair, balanced, and impartial news coverage.
“Thai PBS has certainly come a long way since it was founded at the outset of Thailand's worst political crisis three years ago. It has become an independent voice that speaks for all sectors of the society and holds those in power accountable,” says Managing Director Thepchai Yong.
“We know there is a long road ahead but we are hopeful that with its commitment and the determination of its management and staff, Thai PBS will be able to fulfill its mission in bringing about an informed Thai public.”
For more information about Thai PBS, visit: www.ThaiPBS.or.th (Thai, English website coming soon.)
ENDS
To apply or for more information about WITBN Membership, visit: WITBN.org
