Other Film and Media Studies Commons^™

Digital Songlines: The Use Of Modern Communication Technology By An Aboriginal Community In Remote Australia, Lydia Buchtmann

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

In the mid-1980s the AUSSAT satellite brought television and radio to remote Australia for the first time. There was concern amongst Aboriginal communities that the imposition of mass media without consultation could result in permanent damage to culture and language. However, over the years, the Warlpiri people have adopted modern communication technology including radio, video making, locally produced television, and more recently on-line services. This paper examines why the Warlpiri have adopted modern communication technology and whether there have been social changes as a result. It also looks at the pioneering media work by the Pitjantjatjara people at Ernabella in …