FIRST NATIONS MEDIA FUNDING WELCOMED, BUT SECTOR SAYS MORE IS NEEDED

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy. Image: Facebook

By Katherine J Glass

First Nations Media Australia has welcomed a $12 million funding commitment to the sector, while warning the investment does not fully meet the needs of First Nations media organisations across the country.

The funding was highlighted as FNMA opened day two of its Converge 2026 conference in Cairns, where members are gathering to discuss the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media.

FNMA co-chair Adam Manovic told delegates the organisation had successfully advocated for $12 million over three years to support priorities identified through its 10 Calls to Action.

That equates to $4 million a year through the National Indigenous Australians Agency.

But delegates were told the funding was only part of what was required.

“That $4 million a year investment from NIAA is significant and welcome, but it should be clear it still does not fully cover the scale of what is required across our sector.”

FNMA outlined four main priorities under its strategic plan: advocating for the 10 Calls to Action, strengthening member engagement and sector leadership, building meaningful industry and corporate partnerships, and ensuring the peak body itself remains sustainable and well governed.

The organisation said it was also working with communities in Adelaide, Tasmania and Canberra on new services, with the aim of developing a more genuinely national First Nations media presence.

More than 14 members have also received support with archiving culturally significant material, including preservation, digitisation, storage and improving access.

Mr Manovic told delegates those archives were about more than preserving old recordings.

“They contain our voices, our languages, and our cultural memory.”

FNMA is also developing an online training portal based on issues identified by members, while continuing infrastructure support and backing for the Remote Indigenous Media Festival.

Converge is one of the major opportunities for First Nations media workers and organisations to meet face-to-face, share ideas and discuss challenges facing the sector.

Opening remarks stressed that FNMA's role as a peak body was to listen to members and advocate for their priorities rather than determine those priorities from above.

Delegates were encouraged to build connections with other organisations and consider new collaborations.

FNMA co-chair Adam Manovic Image: Facebook

The conference also heard a video message from the Minister for Indigenous Australians, who was unable to attend because Federal Parliament was sitting in Canberra.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy, described First Nations media as trusted.

“What makes First Nations media so unique is that it is grounded in community. It’s trusted because it’s local. It’s powerful because it’s connected to culture, language, and country.”

She also highlighted the role broadcasters have played during floods and severe weather, helping communities receive local information during emergencies.

Senator McCarthy told the conference the Albanese Government would provide more than $26 million through the Indigenous Broadcasting and Media Program in 2026-27.

She said the program supported organisations across Australia through jobs, training, language preservation and stronger local media capability.

FNMA's longer-term vision is for remote, regional and urban First Nations media organisations to have modern infrastructure and the resources to develop the next generation of journalists, broadcasters, filmmakers, technicians and digital creators.

It also wants First Nations organisations to retain control of their stories and cultural knowledge.

FNMA co-chair Adam Manovic told delegates the goal was for the sector to be viewed not as something sitting on the edge of Australian media, but as an essential part of it.

FNMA says it will continue advocating for greater investment while expanding training, infrastructure, archiving and member support.

Members at Converge have also been urged to use the gathering to develop partnerships and identify the priorities they want FNMA to pursue.

The conference will conclude with its gala dinner and awards celebrating work across the First Nations media sector.