Multicultural Media Awards Press Release 2013 2 September 2013 The 2nd Multicultural Media Awards Presentation dinner

was tonight celebrated at NSW Parliament. Attended by a host of multicultural and indigenous media from across the country and joined by many distinguished foreign dignitaries. It was a night of tribute to migrant and indigenous journalists that have worked tirelessly with little recognition. For me, the idea of having a MMA was simple, but long overdue. In 165 years of multicultural and indigenous media, there had never been a specific event acknowledging the achievements of the talented migrant and indigenous Journalists who have been serving their communities through multicultural media, said the Chair of MMA, the Hon Shaoquett Moselmane MLC. Multicultural journalists bring communities together and break down social and cultural barriers. They inform, they inspire and they involve and they turn challenges into opportunities. Ethnic Media is not just a mass communication medium; it is a personal, social, cultural and emotional tool as it combines the voices of many. Historically, ethnic media were not trusted. In fact, restrictions and government controls were imposed requiring publishers to seek special permits from the Department of immigration, to print at least 25% of the text in the English language, and forward a copy of every publication to the Commonwealth Investigative Service. Until 1955, the foreign language press, as it was called, was viewed with suspicion, and some thought it served as a hindrance rather than help in assimilation. Today the foreign language press, and now multicultural and indigenous media and journalists have the capacity to bring news to every household like never before incorporating information on news, events, charity and social justice, real estate and property, business, shopping, arts and cultural programs, politics, sports and lifestyle. As with the last decade Indigenous media has developed from its grassroots origins to staking a hold in the mainstream while retaining its authenticity.

Multiple voices are growing in Indigenous-specific news media, free-to-air 24/7 National Indigenous Television, the National Indigenous Times last year became the first weekly Indigenous newspaper, the Koori Mail, another prolific Indigenous newspaper, and the National Indigenous Radio Service which has national reach with 180 radio stations. There are more than 100 Indigenous-specific news media formats in Australia today. This empowerment of Indigenous print media, broadcast and other news formats, is informing the national consciousness, engaging the highest public institutions in our nation, and more importantly has highlighted issues long untold, long unheard and therefore this goes to the heart of improving the well-being of peoples, Mr. Moselmane said. The Award and category Winners were:
CATEGORY MULTICULTURAL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR COVERAGE OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS IN AUSTRALIA COVERAGE OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS ABROAD MULTICULTURAL PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR ONLINE COVERAGE OF MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY AFFAIRS FEATURE WRITING NEWS REPORTING EDITORIAL REPORTING CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIAL INCLUSION AND MULTICULTURALISM COVERAGE OF INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING ONLINE INNOVATION IN NEWS BLOG OR NEWS WEBSITE DESIGN EDITORIAL CARTOON

NAME Gerry Gerogatos - 1. The Stringer 2. The National Indigenous Times Ms Linna Lee - TOP Media Pawan & Rajni Luthra - Indian Link Miss Oi Ling Jojo Lee - Sing Tao Daily Mr Steve Giannakouras -Mycities.com.au Miss Helen Velissaris - Neos Kosmos Miss Wing Yam Lee - Sing Tao Daily Mr Patrick Zhu - Oursteps Ms Jan Smith- 3ZZZ Radio Mr Gerry Georgatos- The National Indigenous Times Mr Gerry Georgatos- The Stringer Pawan & Rajni Luthra- Indian Link Mr Joel Magpayo- The Philippine Times

Shaoquett Moselomane MLC, Ben Au, Luke Foly MLC, Tony Buke MP, Ayers Alliance Directors

SPEECH (Shaoquett Moselmane MLC) I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land and pay my respects to their elders past and present. I also acknowledge our guest MC, Ms. Yalda Hakim, who is here all the way from London to cover the federal elections. She kindly agreed to MC and for that I am grateful. Yalda used to present Dateline on SBS, and is now working as a journalist and presenter for BBC London. It is a pleasure and a privilege to have you here especially for our Multicultural Media Awards. I would now like to acknowledge the presence of our other special guests, Ministers Tony Burke and Kate Lundy, and Indigenous Elder, Brian Butler from the National Congress of Australias First people. I also welcome my Parliamentary colleagues, Deputy opposition leader Linda Burney, Labors Leader in the Upper House, The Hon Luke Foley, The Hon Amanda Fazio, The Hon Greg Donnelly, esteemed consular dignitaries, business and community leaders. Just a word of note that the Premier Barry OFarrell was invited but declined and Minister Dominelo was also invited but did not respond. I take great pride in welcoming you, the representatives of our multicultural and indigenous media, this is your night and it is but a small tribute to all the tireless work that you do. I am proud that you have taken the time to fly in from across the nation to join us and I extend special welcome to indigenous media for the effort they have put on to participate in these awards. Ladies and Gentleman, I am indeed honoured to be celebrating with you, the second Multicultural Media Awards. A year ago, we launched our inaugural awards, right here with Foreign Minister Bob Carr. For me, the idea was simple, but long overdue. In 165 years of multicultural and indigenous media, there had never been a specific event acknowledging the achievements of the remarkable and talented people who have been serving their communities through multicultural media. For it is our multicultural journalists who bring communities together and break down social and cultural barriers. You inform, you inspire, you involve and you integrate. You have turned challenges into opportunities, and at a time when mainstream print media is struggling, you are not only surviving, but thriving.

You have addressed the difficulties of an ageing migrant population versus generational change by evolving and embracing new technologies, emerging markets and social media trends. From listening, transcribing, translating, telling stories, and explaining the culture in a new country to connect with your old, you have been the true pioneers of community journalism. Ethnic Media is not just a mass communication medium; it is a personal, social, cultural and emotional tool because it combines the voices of many into a central accessible point. Multicultural media has done so much to remind and link people with their ancestry. Since the first non-English newspaper Die Deutsche Post in 1848 to diversifying across print, radio, web, TV, satellite and social media, Australias ethnic media has come a long way. Until 1955, the foreign language press, as it was called, was viewed with suspicion, and some thought it served as a hindrance to assimilation rather than help. In fact, restrictions and government controls were imposed requiring publishers to seek special permits from the Department of immigration, to print at least 25% of the text in the English language, and forward a copy of every publication to the Cth Investigative Service. These restrictions were lifted in 1956 when the foreign language press was given equal rights with the English Press and it was deemed that foreign press editors demonstrated that they cared not only for the welfare of their nationals but for the interests of their adopted countries as well. Today the foreign language press, and now multicultural and indigenous media and journalists have the capacity to bring news to every household like never before incorporating information on news, events, charity and social justice, real estate and property, business, shopping, arts and cultural programs, politics, sports and lifestyle. Today, you have made multicultural Australia a success by enriching it with your talents, skill, hard work and dedication.

With one in four people born overseas and more than 300 ancestries, multicultural media plays a unique role in capturing information and delivering to each community. The power that you have is unmatchable and the potential is incredible. As with multicultural media a growing and trusted voice Australia-wide, so too Indigenous-specific media provides first-hand narratives and education to the

whole-of-Australia. In the last decade Indigenous media has developed from its grassroots origins to staking a hold in the mainstream while retaining its authenticity.

Multiple voices are growing in Indigenous-specific news media, free-to-air 24/7 National Indigenous Television, the National Indigenous Times last year became the first weekly Indigenous newspaper, the Koori Mail, another prolific Indigenous newspaper, and the National Indigenous Radio Service which has national reach with 180 radio stations. There are more than 100 Indigenous-specific news media formats in Australia today.

This empowerment of Indigenous print media, broadcast and other news formats, is informing the national consciousness, engaging the highest public institutions in our nation, and more importantly has highlighted issues long untold, long unheard and therefore this goes to the heart of improving the well-being of peoples.

Ladies and Gentlemen, as Chairman of the Multicultural Media Awards, I salute you for your efforts, and commend you for your courage and commitment. Tonight a number of you will receive awards and of course some wont, but in my eyes, you are all winners. You are all winners in elevating Multicultural and Indigenous media and recognising migrant journalists for the positive work that you do for Australia. . I would like to take this opportunity to thank our judges who had the hard task of judging the amazing pool of talent.

Ive left our sponsors till last. As we all know, without them this event would not have happened. I thank them sincerely. Thanks go to our key sponsors: Platinum Sponsor: Ayers Alliance And other Sponsors Arab Bank Australia Nimco Foods,

Ella Rouge Beauty National Indigenous Times & MyHouse.