National Indigenous Radio Service

The National Indigenous Radio Service (NIRS) is a non-profit media organization providing a vital voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia. Established in 1997, NIRS delivers national and regional news, sports coverage, and cultural programming to Indigenous and community radio stations, ensuring that Indigenous perspectives are represented in the media. With a commitment to being the "Voice of Our People," NIRS plays a crucial role in amplifying Indigenous voices and providing news and information relevant to First Nations communities. Before its establishment, few Indigenous stations produced news bulletins, and there was limited content sharing between networks. That changed with the historic Corroboree 2000, where Indigenous broadcasters collaborated to create a unified news service. This momentum led to NIRS coordinating live Indigenous-led coverage during the Sydney 2000 Olympics, a milestone in Indigenous journalism. Today, NIRS continues to provide 24-hour programming to community radio stations, covering a broad range of topics, including health, education, politics, and social issues affecting Indigenous Australians.