Telum Talks To... Shannan Dodson, Yawuru woman and Indigenous Affairs Officer at Media Diversity Australia

Media Diversity Australia recently launched new resources for journalists to use in order to support them while reporting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and issues. Telum spoke with the author about the new resources.

Can you tell us a bit about the handbook and what you all hope to achieve from it?

As part of NAIDOC week, two resources for journalists will be available online to support fairer, more accurate and culturally sensitive reporting of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and issues. A comprehensive introductory 17 page resource is being disseminated to newsrooms and journalism schools around the country. A practical two-page journalist checklist is also now available. Media Diversity Australia, in partnership with the National Congress of Australia’s First People and with the support of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation have prepared this free guide. It’s designed to assist busy journalists navigate issues from appropriate terminology and visiting sacred sites, to reporting on deceased Indigenous people.

These reporting tools were prepared by journalists for journalists - in consultation with Indigenous community members and expert media practitioners. It takes into account time pressures, deadlines and the nature of news and current affairs cycles. There is also a contacts list to help journalists find appropriate sources and permissions.

Why have you made the handbook? Why is it important now in today’s environment?Whether intended or unconscious, those working in the media have the power to influence how Indigenous communities are perceived and understood. This resource is a guide only - hopefully it encourages journalists and their editors to consider the impact inaccurate reporting can have on already disenfranchised communities. It is important that the media uses their position of power to report on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and topics factually and respectfully. Journalists should take time to reflect on their own views, biases and opinions about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and use facts and editorial judgement to challenge, rather than reinforce stereotypes.

This media aid is designed to encourage recognition and respect for Indigenous people’s images, knowledge, voices and their stories in news and current affairs media. It is by no means a reporting bible, but rather, a handy guide to assist journalists.

Can you give us some insights on what people should know about Indigenous Communities and First peoples that they may not know?

The most important point in this resource is that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are diverse, have disparate views, perspectives and stories. They also have different opinions about appropriate language and terminology as well as cultural protocols that are worth understanding. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are not one monolithic, homogenous group, so always take this into consideration when reporting.

And the best piece of information to take away from this resource is that it is best to always ASK questions, rather than make assumptions. Ask the individual you are interviewing how they would like to be referred to rather than doing a Google search, or find out in the resource why some Indigenous communities don’t allow photographs, images or the voices of deceased peoples to be displayed publicly.

What do you think the common mistakes are when people are reporting on Indigenous communities and first peoples?

Common mistakes are that some journalists may have a tendency to report with a “most Indigenous people think” or “all the Indigenous people I know or have spoken to” mentality, which is highly subjective and impossible to substantiate. This means it is important to canvass diverse views. This spectrum can be based on geography, political persuasion, profession, expertise, age, gender or socio-economic background.

Another thing that happens in the media is that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are often left out of the dialogue on issues that affect them, so we’ve provided a handy list of organisations to contact to ensure you are reaching out to Indigenous people to comment on the topics that are about them or affect them.

What were the challenges when putting this handbook together?

The challenges of doing any type of resource is that it is never going to encompass every detail of what is needed to better report on Indigenous peoples and issues. This is an introductory resource and care should be taken in not taking it as the be-all and end-all, but as a reminder to always continue learning and asking. We understand newsrooms are fast-paced so we hope that this resource will help as a beginning tool guide for journalists to better understand the complexities and necessity for factual and strength-based reporting for Indigenous people and communities. It is also important to remember when doing these types of resources that it is not going to reflect the views of every single Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person but is a starting point in trying to encourage and perpetuate better practices.

Is it enough that people have the right intention to do the right thing when reporting on Indigenous Communities and First peoples or is it vital that they follow a set of guidelines?

We hope that this resource will help journalists to better understand that there are certain guidelines to be followed in certain contexts and situations and it’s important to learn about these. But it also reinforces that there is always more to learn and that it is important to be aware of this, because what is said in the media can have and has had a huge impact on Indigenous communities and people. Journalists have a real position of power to make a positive change and be part of telling the positive and celebratory stories that are so often untold.

You can view the handbook and quick guide here.