The struggle is real when it comes to SBS finding places to film the second instalment of a series described as "poverty porn".
The broadcaster has been told it's not welcome to film Struggle Street in the southwest Brisbane suburb of Inala, while its request to document Sunshine in Melbourne's west has also received a frosty reception.
The first instalment of the controversial series examined poverty, drug use, crime and social issues in Sydney's Mount Druitt in 2015.
The documentary triggered protests and was dismissed as "poverty porn" by some critics.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk pointed to the impact the series had on Mount Druitt's reputation when refusing SBS's request to film the sequel in Inala.
"I will not approve a request that will denigrate the reputation of the suburb and people of Inala," he said.
"While Inala is not the wealthiest suburb, it is a growing suburb that has experienced substantial improvement in recent years."
Mr Quirk's position was backed up by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who drew on her family roots to defend her electorate from the television producers.
Ms Palaszczuk, whose grandparents moved to Inala after World War II and father Henry served as MP before her, said reality TV shows and documentaries should focus on the good in communities and defended the "very proud" residents.
"The last thing we want to see is people turn a negative spotlight on a suburb just so they can have a laugh at a couple of issues or a couple of incidents," she said on Wednesday.
"We don't want to see families ridiculed on national television."
SBS's attempt to film in Sunshine has been shot down by Brimbank City Council, which is concerned and disappointed the municipality has been chosen.
"Based on the previous program we don't believe that they will accurately reflect our community," council's chairman of administrators John Watson said.
"We are also very concerned about the potential for vulnerable community members being taken advantage of for the sake of television ratings."
However, the council was unable to make a formal assessment on the filming application because it was incomplete.
Mr Watson said council was seeking more specific information about proposed locations and had requested a meeting with the production company for assurances about how community members would be treated.
An SBS spokeswoman has insisted the documentary's representation of people and communities would be fair.
"We anticipate stories of resilience, community support and family love in what will be compelling and insightful storytelling that doesn't shy away from the realities of hardship faced by millions of people," the broadcaster said in a statement.
It said the documentary would present "a raw, honest and compassionate account of individual and community stories of challenge, triumph and adversity".
The second series is scheduled to air in late 2017.
Share
