There are fears an important service for the north-west’s Macedonian community could be lost as the federal government conducts an efficiency study of the Special Broadcasting Service.
The study, now in its final stage, will examine the costs of day-to-day operations and propose options to reduce expenses.
Earlier this year, SBS managing director Michael Ebeid told a Senate estimates hearing that some foreign-language services could be scrapped if the government cut funding.
Diana Sterjovska, manager of the Caroline Springs-based Macedonian Community Welfare Association, said a daily radio news program at midday was often the only information service available to Macedonian-speaking residents.
“This show is vital to our members … [especially] those who are isolated,” she said.
SBS corporate communications spokeswoman Jessica Harris said the broadcaster didn’t anticipate any budget cuts in next month’s federal budget.
