Island Voices – Radio 4MW in the Torres Strait
Author: NIRS | Source: NIRS | Date: 10-08-04
Situated of the coast of Cape York Peninsula are the beautiful Torres Strait Islands, home to 4MW, one of Australia’s leading Indigenous Radio Stations.
The Torres Strait Islander Media Association (TSIMA), the organisation behind Radio 4MW, was set up on Thursday Island to give the local community an opportunity to have a voice, share their culture and to educate and inform Indigenous and non Indigenous people of the positive aspects of Indigenous people and culture
Regional leaders of the Island were the driving force behind the set up of the station in 1985.
Radio Manager Aven Noah says: “prior to 1997 we were channel-sharing with the ABC, until we had a license awarded to us. We are now doing a 24 hours service which is continuously expanding through sponsorship and listenership around the Island.”
One of the unique aspects of Radio 4MW is that 80 per cent of the programs are produced in the “Torres Strait Creole” language. This language is accepted right around the region and not only does it communicate with the grass roots community, but it also helping to maintain this language among the younger generation.
The success of Radio 4MW is making a huge contribution to the preservation of Torres Strait Islander language, oral history, stories and music. The station has a strong focus on partnerships with the local community, and offers a unique sound for the rest of the country to enjoy through the national Indigenous Radio Service.
Radio Torres Strait 4MW on CBOnline
