About 130 people helped officially launch ΒιΆΉΣ³» TV at parties held in Sydney and Hobart on July 7. Together, the events raised close to $3000 for the new media project.
In Sydney, 75 people attended a party and live filming of the ΒιΆΉΣ³» Report at the Art Resistance studio in Marrickvilleβs Addison Road Community Centre. Guests included University of Sydney political economist Mike Karadjis, independent journalist and author Antony Loewenstein and comic Carlo Sands.
Karadjis gave a devastating account of the social costs of the Greek economic crisis. He explained how the elite caused the crisis, detailed the dramatic rise of the radical left party SYRIZA and warned of the danger posed by the Greek neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn.
Loewenstein hammered Australiaβs corporate media and the lack of voices willing to stand proudly aligned with left-wing views. He also discussed his new book Left Turn, a collection of essays he edited with Jeff Sparrow on left movements in Australia.
Sands had the audience in stitches with a rant that covered topics from Australian nationalism and Black Caviar, to Tony Abbottβs hatred for refugees and the upcoming Olympics.
The show also featured an activist news segment on the victory of the pro-Palestine βChristmas Carol Criminalsβ in Perth, a Support WikiLeaks rally in Melbourne and the battle to defend workers compensation in NSW. The show also included footage of a daring protest by NSW firefighters where they hosed down parliament house from a firetruck.
Aboriginal activist Ray Jackson toasted the launch of new progressive community media, and band The Freedom Fighters performed to an appreciative crowd.
In Hobart, more than 50 people attended a trivia night launch that raised $1000. The event featured footage from ΒιΆΉΣ³» TV and a video link-up with the Sydney event.
Socialist Alliance Hobart branch co-convener Susan Austin spoke about the corporate control of most media in Australia and emphasised the need to support independent alternatives such as ΒιΆΉΣ³» Weekly. She said many Hobart members of the Socialist Alliance were already actively taking part in the ΒιΆΉΣ³» TV project and more were keen to get involved.
Socialist Alliance member Adam Olechnowiz toasted the July 5 anniversary of Venezuelan independence. He reminded people of the gains that have been made by the revolution so far, including lifting masses of people out of poverty and strengthening grassroots democracy.
Video: ΒιΆΉΣ³» TV Program #2: Greece and Left Turn. .
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