Independent Multicultural Media Australia (IMMA) has welcomed the Australian Government’s report on the Multicultural Framework Review released on Wednesday, July 24.
The comprehensive independent report, titled ‘Towards Fairness: A Multicultural Australia for All,’ was the first examination of the state of Australia’s multiculturalism in a generation, and made recommendations to strengthen it for the future.
In preparing the report, a panel of three eminent Australians – Dr Bulent Hass Dellal AO, Ms Nyadol Nyuon OAM and Ms Christine Castley – travelled the country and consulted with more 1,430 individuals and 750 organisations, including community groups, in more than 200 consultation events.
The report emphasised IMMA members’ good work as small-to-medium private media, which includes established publishers and broadcasters producing newspapers, digital papers, websites, radio, streaming TV, podcasts, and video in community languages and English.
Federal Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles praised the report.
“The Review writes a new chapter in our multicultural story, and will inform how we can work together to achieve a vibrant, prosperous multicultural future,” Minister Giles said.
In a statement following the report release, IMMA said ‘Towards Fairness: A Multicultural Australia for All’ is a comprehensive document that should guide governments’ media policy towards our multicultural media ecosystem.
IMMA congratulated the work of Dr Hass Dellal, Ms Nyuon, and Ms Castley for conducting such a thorough review.
“Multicultural Affairs Minister Andrew Giles and the panel comprised of Dr Bulent Hass Dellal AO, Nyadol Nyuon OAM and Christine Castley did a thorough job in consulting IMMA, as they did many others, and our views were taken seriously,” IMMA Secretary Fotis Kapetopoulos said.
“This report continues the pioneering work set 50 years ago and has recognised the essential role independent multicultural media plays in public interest journalism.
“IMMA was formed in 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria and, later, in NSW – as the report points out, our income was gutted by COVID lockdowns, as we became a bulwark against fake news and conspiracy theories.
“IMMA agreed with the minister when he said the review ‘writes a new chapter in our multicultural story,’ and we agree that we can work together to achieve a prosperous multicultural future.”
Mr Kapetopoulos said “the panel was able to honour the work carried out 50 years ago framing multicultural policy.”
“The panel has made recommendations that, if acted on, will ensure that multicultural policy becomes representative of a contemporary Australia. We now look forward to the implementation of the recommendations,” he added.
IMMA member and Publisher of The Greek Herald, Dimitra Skalkos also thanked the panel for their “thorough review.”
“The support and recognition of the review panel are evident in the recommendations presented, especially regarding the importance of independent multicultural media like The Greek Herald,” she said.
Ms Skalkos encouraged the implementation of the recommendations by both federal and state governments.
“We hope that the federal government swiftly implements these recommendations, ensuring that multicultural media receives the necessary support to continue being the voice of their communities and a crucial link between the government and multicultural communities across Australia,” she said.
“We also strongly encourage state governments, particularly NSW, to adopt these recommendations and proactively support independent multicultural media. By doing so, they can play a crucial role in promoting a diverse and inclusive society where the voices of multicultural communities are recognised and appreciated.”
