Daily Covid-19 press conference to be translated into Arabic and Vietnamese
The NSW Government has announced an Australia-first program to deliver daily vital public health messages in languages other than English, through live interpreting.
Minister for Multiculturalism Natalie Ward announced the pilot program – in partnership with the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) – would support live translation of the daily NSW Government COVID-19 press conference into Arabic and Vietnamese in real time.
“The NSW Government is exploring every avenue to ensure our public health messages are reaching our culturally and linguistically diverse communities,” Mrs Ward said.
“We see SBS and all our multicultural community media outlets as critical partners.
“This pilot program will ensure Arabic and Vietnamese speakers can translate vital public health information, at the same time as it is being delivered.”
Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said the NSW Government would share and promote the live interpreting feed over its social media channels.
“The service will also be able to be shared by other multicultural and community broadcasters for wider dissemination,” Mr Dominello said.
“It’s critically important we reach as many people as possible so we can work together to help keep each other safe.”
The pilot program will be evaluated for effectiveness and continue to evolve to meet community needs.
SBS Managing Director James Taylor said the multicultural public broadcaster was delighted to partner with the NSW Government on this Australia-first initiative.
“SBS is uniquely placed to reach and engage those who speak a language other than English, and we are pleased to be working with the NSW Government to deliver this important multilingual service at a time when access to reliable information and urgent health and safety updates is critical,” Mr Taylor said.
“This expands on SBS’s ongoing work providing essential support for diverse communities during the pandemic, delivering trusted, independent and accurate information in more than 60 languages across our multiplatform services.
“As the country responds to the impacts of the latest COVID-19 outbreaks and the national vaccination rollout continues, SBS is proud to be the place for multicultural and First Nations communities to access vital news and resources, to ensure all Australians receive the information they need to protect themselves and their communities.”
The interpreted daily press conferences will be streamed live on SBS Arabic24 and SBS Vietnamese Facebook pages, as well as SBS Radio.
For translated information about COVID-19 in NSW, please visit here.
MEDIA: Nina Stevens | Minister Ward | 0412 438 674
Will Sparling | Minister Dominello | 0408 576 636