In the Australian society, there seems to be an ongoing conflict, between the white british Australians, and the initial citizens of the island continent, the Indigenous people. The image that most white Australians have of those Aboriginal people, is mainly negative.
Why is that so? What is the white Australians' source of knowledge about Aboriginal people? And most importantly: What role does the mainstream media in Australia play in the continuously bad relationship between white Australians and Aboriginal
people? Does the mainstream media contribute to that conflict? And if so, in what way?
In the following, I am going to try to answer those questions. I am going to try to shed some light on the role that the media is playing in the relationship between white Australians and Aboriginal people. In order to answer those questions, it seems indispensable, to first have a look into the history of Australia and Aboriginal Australians. I will outline the most important events in the history of Australia, starting with the arrival of the Indigenous people, ending with the current situation. After that, I will amplify the Aboriginal culture, assuming that to most readers it is largely unknown.
In the main part of this work, I will then investigate the mainstream media coverage of Aboriginal affairs in Australia. I will try to ascertain in what manner the mainstream media treats Aboriginal topics. Further I want to determine if prejudices and stereotypes towards Aboriginal people exist, and how the current situation in the Australian society could be described. In the end, I will attempt to summarize my findings in a final conclusion.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. History of Aboriginal Australians
3. Aboriginal languages and culture
4. The presentation of Aboriginal topics in the mainstream media
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This dissertation examines the role of the mainstream media in Australia regarding its portrayal of Aboriginal people and the impact of this coverage on the existing social conflict between white Australians and the Indigenous population. The primary research goal is to determine whether the media contributes to social tension through biased reporting and the reinforcement of negative stereotypes.
- Historical context of Aboriginal Australians and the impact of colonization.
- Cultural significance and the endangerment of Indigenous languages.
- Analysis of media ownership and its influence on the diversity of voices.
- Evaluation of media bias, specifically regarding health and crime reporting.
- The prevalence of stereotypical narratives in modern Australian news and entertainment.
Excerpt from the Book
4. The presentation of Aboriginal topics in the mainstream media
The 25 biggest print newspapers in Australia are owned by four big companies: News Limited, Fairfax Media, West Australian Newspapers and APN News & Media, while News Limited and Fairfax hold together 88% of the print media assets in Australia (Dwyer: 2013). Tim Dwyer from the Department of Media and Communications at the University of Sydney, sees a significant problem with this lack of diversity in the Australian media. Dwyer states, that the concentration of the control of media in such few hands “places a ceiling on the number of the voices Australians can access in the form of original news” (Dwyer: 2013). That is precisely, what many people in Australia seem to be unhappy about: the under-representation of Aboriginal voices in the public media and furthermore “the bias against Aborigines by mainstream media [...]” (Gillespie: 2007).
One issue that arises punctually at the beginning of every year, is the date of the national holiday and it's celebration. The so-called 'Australia Day' is celebrated on the 26th of January. Most Aboriginal people, refer to that historical day rather as 'Invasion Day'. On the 26th of January 1788 the first British flag was raised on Australian soil by Captain Arthur Phillip. Every year on this day white Australians celebrate; there are “barbecues, contests, parades, performances, fireworks and more” (Korff: 2015). Many Aboriginal people feel, that the chosen date for those celebrations is disrespectful towards them and excludes them, as Aboriginal spokesman Michael Mansell puts it: “January 26th marked the beginning of the murders, the rapes and the dispossession. It is no date to celebrate” (Mansell: 2010).
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the research focus on the portrayal of Aboriginal Australians in the media and outlines the core conflict between Indigenous and non-Indigenous citizens.
2. History of Aboriginal Australians: An overview of the historical development, from the origins of the Indigenous people to the colonial period and the subsequent struggles for rights and recognition.
3. Aboriginal languages and culture: This section details the linguistic diversity, cultural traditions, and the challenges of preserving Indigenous heritage in the face of historical assimilation policies.
4. The presentation of Aboriginal topics in the mainstream media: An analysis of media ownership, the scarcity of diverse voices, and the prevalence of negative, stereotypical portrayals of Aboriginal issues in news and entertainment.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, asserting that the mainstream media perpetuates biased narratives that hinder reconciliation between white Australians and Indigenous communities.
Keywords
Aboriginal Australians, mainstream media, media bias, Indigenous rights, Australia Day, Invasion Day, stereotyping, cultural heritage, social conflict, colonial history, representation, Stolen Generations, media ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this dissertation?
The dissertation explores how the Australian mainstream media covers Aboriginal affairs and the role it plays in maintaining or shaping the relationship between white Australians and the Indigenous population.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The main themes include historical background, cultural preservation, media concentration, biased reporting, and the impact of negative news framing on social cohesion.
What is the central research question?
The work investigates what role the mainstream media plays in the relationship between white Australians and Aboriginal people and whether it contributes to the ongoing social conflict.
What methodology is utilized?
The work employs a literature-based research methodology, analyzing historical records, scholarly studies, and media commentary to evaluate the portrayal of Aboriginal topics.
What does the main body cover?
The main body examines the history of the Indigenous people, the complexity of their culture and languages, and provides a critical analysis of media narratives concerning crime, health, and national identity.
Which keywords best describe this study?
The study is characterized by terms such as Aboriginal Australians, media bias, stereotyping, Indigenous rights, and media representation.
Why is the "Australia Day" celebration a central point of conflict?
It is viewed as "Invasion Day" by many Aboriginal people, serving as a reminder of colonization and dispossession, while being celebrated as a national holiday by the majority of white Australians.
How does media ownership affect Aboriginal representation?
Due to a high concentration of media assets held by four major companies, there is a lack of diversity in the perspectives presented, leading to the under-representation of Aboriginal voices.
What role do stereotypes play in the media?
The media is described as a supplier of simplified, negative views, often labeling Aboriginal people with tropes like "violent" or "uneducated," which helps sustain a sense of victimhood.
What is the main conclusion of the author?
The author concludes that the mainstream media's tendency to focus on negative narratives and ignore positive developments contributes to institutionalized racism and hinders improved relations.
- Quote paper
- Winfried Braun (Author), 2017, Aborigines. Media Coverage of Aboriginal Affairs in Australia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/417010
