Actively Radical TV — Sydney community television's progressive current affairs producers tackle the hard issues from the activist's point of view. CTS Sydney (UHF 31), every Thursday, 7pm.
Access News — Melbourne community TV, Channel 31, has excellent coverage of industrial, environmental and community actions throughout Victoria. Access News broadcasts every Monday, Thursday and Friday at 8pm. Phone (03) 9525 3551 to contact the producers or make a donation.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T — Part of the 10-part Dancing in the Street series. This episode deals with the rise of '60s soul music, beginning with Ray Charles' adaptation of gospel and looking at Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett and the rise of the Motown and Stax record labels. ABC TV, Friday, September 6, 9.30pm.
Movie classic: The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) — Forget the hype about the dreadful Independence Day and stay home and watch a real '50s sci-fi cult classic. This epic features Michael Rennie as Klaatu, a socially aware alien who lands in Washington DC to warn earthlings about the dangers of atomic warfare. SBS, Saturday, September 7, 9.30pm.
Mekong — An absorbing four-part series which explores the mighty Mekong River from its source to its mouth and introduces us to the daily life and culture of the people along the river. SBS, Sunday, September 8, 7.30pm.
A House Divided — This Channel Four documentary looks at how Britain's immigration legislation has affected migrant families. We follow the stories of Ruby Haq from Manchester, who is fighting to keep her husband Anwar in Britain; Atia Idrees, the 22-year-old who has been looking after her grandmother since she came to the UK in 1991; and Kulwinder Kaur Phull, who arrived in Britain in 1989 to marry a British citizen. Her first marriage broke up and she has since married again. All these women are fighting deportation orders which threaten to break up their families. SBS, Tuesday, September 10, 8.30pm.
Sacred Journey — Dr Christopher Anderson, director of the South Australian Museum, journey's north to return Aboriginal sacred objects to their original communities. Along the way, he explores their meaning and significance. ABC TV, Thursday, September 12, 9.30pm.