Blak Bias: When Does Reporting Race Matter in the Media?

When should the race of someone be identified in a news story and when shouldn’t it?

If Indigeneity is excluded from a news story it can obscure racism–but if it’s featured, it can encourage racism and further add to media stereotyping of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. CEO of Ngaarda Media, Tangiora Hinaki, shares how racial stereotyping played out in the recent case of the abduction of 4 year old Cleo Smith, and how Indigenous media uncovered the wrongful identification of her alleged kidnapper. Hear about the long history of media reporting on race with Andrew Jakubowicz, Emeritus Professor of Sociology at UTS.

Warning: The following episode briefly discusses the reportage of child sexual abuse so if this is likely to raise anything for you, please give 13 YARN (13- 92-76), the national 24/7 Indigenous crisis line a call or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Blak Bias is a collaboration between IndigenousX.com.au, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and 2SER Radio. It has been made possible with the support of the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas (JNI).

Co-hosts: Rhianna Patrick and Madeline Hayman-Reber. Produced, edited, and mixed by Marlene Even at 2SER Radio.

More information:

Race media and Identity in Australia - https://bit.ly/3b7tbA0

Tile artwork:

“Buldyan” (Grandfather), 2018 by Shannon Foster.

Commissioned for the Centre for the Advancement of Indigenous Knowledges at UTS.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices