The National Indigenous Radio Service (NIRS) – an Aboriginal community controlled media outlet with one of the largest radio footprints in the world – has appointed Indigenous affairs journalist and editor Chris Graham to a six-month contract to be based in Brisbane.
Chris is the current owner and editor of New Matilda, and a board member of the Australian Press Council. He’ll continue in his roles in those organisations, but will be based in Brisbane to lead a major revamp of NIRS in the dual roles of General Manager and News Director. His appointment comes in the wake of the passing of Aboriginal radio legend Tiga Bayles last month. Tiga was one of the founders of NIRS, and served as its Chairman until his passing on April 17.
“Even in the week before he passed away, Tiga was still trying to find ways to ensure that First Nations communities received the best possible service,” Acting Chair of NIRS, Jackie Tim said. “With that in mind, Chris was appointed to conduct a review of the National Indigenous Radio Service’s newsroom, and our Board is delighted that he’s now also been appointed for a period of six months to implement the recommendations that will come out of that review.
“The National Indigenous Radio Service has a proud history of servicing some of the most disadvantaged communities in the nation and we’re confident that Chris’ experience in media will help boost NIRS’ reputation as a strong, active news outlet.”
Chris Graham is a Walkley Award and Human Rights Award winning journalist, with almost three decades experience in the media. He is the founding editor of the National Indigenous Times, the former editor at large of Tracker magazine, a board member of the Australian Press Council, and is the current owner and editor of New Matilda, an online publication based in Sydney.
“I’m really excited about working with NIRS. It’s a media outlet I’ve long admired,” Mr Graham said. “Tiga, Ross Watson and others built an extraordinary organisation that has punched well above its weight for a long time. My focus will be on building on that legacy by growing NIRS’ revenue base, and increasing the strength and depth of NIRS’ reporting. A service like NIRS is crucial to the health of First Nations communities. It provides 15 news bulletins a day, and for many remote communities in particular is their only source of information about the outside word, and Aboriginal affairs.”
Mr Graham said his role at New Matilda would also continue.
“One of the realities of independent media is that you often have to take on extra work to survive. So I’ll still be editing New Matilda from Brisbane, while also managing NIRS. It’s an enormous challenge, but it’s also an enormous honour and I’m excited about the six months ahead.”
