Ngaarda Media is a First Nations community radio station serving the 500,000 km² Pilbara region in WA’s north.
Ngaarda is the Yindjibarndi word for ‘everybody’. ‘We are a voice for the 32 tribes of the Pilbara,’ Ngaarda Media CEO Tangiora Hinaki explained. ‘Not all of these voices get an opportunity to have their story heard on mainstream [media] … whereas with community radio, we create content that is very unique.’
Ngaarda Media produces a range of First Nations language and culture, sports, community and entertainment content, as well as what Tangiora describes as ‘hard news’. The broadcaster’s contribution to public interest journalism has been recognised by the Public Interest Journalism Initiative (PIJI) since May 2023, when it was added to their Australian News Index (ANI).
Hard news content produced by Ngaarda Media includes a daily statewide news bulletin focused on First Nations breaking news. The bulletin is the only one of its kind in the state and is freely distributed to other WA-based First Nations news brands.
Ngaarda Media also has a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NITV. The MoU allows the station’s strongest stories to be shared with the national Indigenous broadcaster. ‘We have an important role, being from the regions, making sure that we get those strong stories out,’ Tangiora said. ‘Often, they are picked up by mainstream media, which is awesome.’
Ngaarda Media are a grant recipient under CBF’s Content Grant – Round 2 2024/25.
