Indigenous broadcasting network.

Maori Television in New Zeeland has announced a first meeting to be held in August this year with the goal of establishing a World Indigenous Television Broadcasters Network (WITBN) (see http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0806/S00163.htm ). A network like this should be a gain for the indigenous communities around the world. We all know how important media are those days. We also know that the objectivity of news media are only a dream. Important powers in society, both governments and finances (not the least the number of television viewers) decide to a large extend what is sent. Which news is to be considered "important". That may not be the important issues for an indigenous community.

Therefore it is important that there are media controlled by the indigenous peoples themselves. Like Maori Television. In Sweden, Sámi television and radio are very limited (in terms of time and resources) but even then their importance for the Sámi is enormous. At the 15 min Sámi news many subjects can be seen which are of importance for the Sámi (and others) - but which never make it to the ordinary news. It would be necessary to give the Sámi media more resources.

A network like the planned one would probably be helpful for many, especially the samller, indigenous broadcasters. I hope SVT Sápmi and SR Sameradio will be part of it.