1. changing multicultural society

The principal function of the SBS Charter is to “…provide multilingual and multicultural radio and television services that inform, educate and entertain all Australians, and in doing so, reflect Australia’s multicultural society”. To do this SBS must understand the ways in which that multicultural society continues to change. We understand that Australian cultural and linguistically diversity is becoming more complex, and that cultural identities and language communities are not discrete entities. How does cultural identity intersect in Australia with other forms of belonging, cultural citizenship and engagement with public life? Have we evolved beyond ‘celebrating’ diversity to being able to engage with the difficulties and tensions without resorting to a call for ‘integration’? What are the contemporary forms of engagement with cultural diversity and where do barriers continue to exist? How has generational change impacted on Australian multiculturalism?

2. media and cultural diversity

I would like to second Tanja’s interest in media and cultural diversity. Public media, broadcasting in the public interest, form an essential part of cultural democracy. Trusted, quality sources of information and engaging public media are enabling and facilitate better opportunities to engage with public life. How can media continue to change to adapt to the complexity of contemporary diversity? What are the communities of greatest ‘need’ relevant to multicultural communications services? What are potential uses of media that facilitate social cohesion in Australia? Can social policies be enacted through media to ensure the development of an inclusive society? How can we move beyond simplistic forms of cultural representation to a more plural public sphere?