2003 - 04 Annual Report - Sbs

56LegalSBS Legal provided training to staff across theorganisation on a variety of legal issues. These trainingsessions ranged from intensive two- or three-daysessions for senior television News and Current Affairsjournalists and executive producers, to short one-hourrefresher courses on particular topics.The major focus of training this year was on music andcopyright issues. Legal training also covered: defamation;contempt of court; new anti-terrorism legislation and itsimpact on journalists; source confidentiality; privacy;copyright; restrictions on the use of recording devices;freedom of information; the introduction of the SPAM Actand the intricacies of Fair Dealing and SBS’s coverage ofthe Olympics.Legal training reinforces the need to refer possiblecontentious issues to the Legal Department and,secondly, to empower program makers to deal withcertain matters themselves, thus increasing the efficiencyand productivity of the organisation.COMMUNITY RELATIONSCONSULTATIONSCommunity Advisory CommitteeDuring the year, members of the SBS Board andmanagement met four times with the Community AdvisoryCommittee (CAC) and discussed a range of issues. InApril 2004, the CAC also observed a community forumwith SBS stakeholders.Three new members joined the CAC, two in July 2003and one in December 2003. In October 2003, the SBSBoard extended the terms of two members for a furthertwo years and the terms of another two members for oneyear (see Appendix 13 for CAC membership).The CAC provided advice to SBS on a range of issuesincluding the broadcast of the Thoi Su news programfrom Vietnam; SBS’s relationship with the Federationof Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA);strategies for enhancing the profile of SBS Melbourne atits new premises at Federation Square; and strategies forpromoting a multicultural youth recording project.In contributing community perspectives to SBS’scorporate direction, the CAC provided opinions andsuggestions regarding SBS’s Corporate Plan, its reviewof complaints handling procedures, corporate researchprojects and SBS merchandising.The CAC previewed several examples of SBS programming,including a number of programs commissioned by SBSIndependent, previewed major website initiatives of theSBS Digital Media unit, and also provided feedback to SBSmanagers and programming staff.Ethnic CommunitiesIn April 2004, SBS hosted a community consultationforum which was attended by more than 20representatives from ethnic communities and religiousorganisations under the umbrella of the Federation ofEthnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA)and the Australian Partnership of Ethnic and ReligiousOrganisations (APERO). Representatives of the SBSCommunity Advisory Committee attended as observers.The forum was very successful, with SBS and FECCAreleasing a joint media statement noting their agreementto meet and consult more regularly and to “collaborateas partners (to) protect and expand SBS’s unique rolein Australia as a media organisation and a culturalinstitution”.During the year, SBS Radio managers attended 615community, public and industry functions. In addition,SBS Radio broadcasters attended hundreds ofcommunity events including a record 108 outsidebroadcasts in cities and towns throughout Australia (See‘Radio’) Community consultations were also conducted inPerth and Adelaide.Audience FeedbackSBS Public Relations received a total of 1,292 lettersin 2003-04. Of these: 520 were requests for informationabout various SBS programs, including the availabilityof video or DVD copies; 28 requested the repeat of adocumentary, film or series; 165 were complimentary about