This report will critique three media reports in terms of how they represent the causes and rate of Indigenous crime. The media samples to be examined is ‘Mandatory Sentencing and Aboriginal Crime’ published by right-wing online Australian-News, ABC’s video of ‘Gang of 49: the gang that never was and a radio segment on Indigenous radio hosted on 98.9fm.
Why these reports are specifically chosen
These reports are multifaceted examples of media as they are in themselves an analysis of the representation of Indigenous legal issues. This interest in and scrutiny of representation of Indigenous issues in itself shows the increasing visibility of Indigenous concerns in mainstream media.
This visibility can be partially attributed to the rise of Indigenous celebrities and sports stars like Cathy Freeman whose fame created concurrent media interest in their family stories. Indigenous sports stars are generally constructed as individuals that “love their families, their culture and their land.”
Unfortunately this interest is not always positive and racist and misconstrued reports are also published daily. However, the new media age of ‘Facebook’ and ‘Youtube’ has given ‘power to the people’ and Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, who are not so powerful, who are absent of political aspiration and in pursuit of truth and justice are able to share their stories with a worldwide audience.
Why then, do Indigenous concerns still receive little positive interest from the mainstream media? All three reports demonstrate that misinformation, ignorance and fear of the ‘other’ are key factors contributing to the hindrance of true reconciliation and rights recognition for Indigenous Australians. Furthermore, all three media pieces attribute these problems to be being perpetuated by the media itself.
Misinformation is demonstrated in the media
The first issue, misinformation is demonstrated in ‘Gang of 49’. Collin James, the Advertiser’s crime reporter at the time admitted that the name ‘sells’ and that the media “probably created a new gang.” This cavalier attitude does not take into account the effect this had on Indigenous youths at the time and the fear needlessly created in the minds of the public. Indigenous families were understandably outraged and a juvenile centre counsellor expressed dismay as accused Indigenous youths intended to start a real gang of criminals. Such is the power of misinformation generated by media.
Ignorance demonstrated in the media
The second issue of ignorance is demonstrated in the 98.9 fm recording of radio program ‘Let’s Talk’ where Alf Lacey Mayor of Palm Island is interviewed regarding issues ranging from Aboriginal deaths in custody to the rights of Aboriginal peoples to self-determination. All issues revert back to the larger issue of a media generated concept of Indigenous people as law-breakers. Lacey explains how the media misinterprets Indigenous peoples’ calls for changes to the colonial legal system for example the liquor licence laws by explaining the full complexity of the Palm Island situation. He simply requests more Indigenous involvement in lawmaking to make it applicable to the Indigenous population. The media however, portrays the Mayor as an incompetent manager blaming community inadequacies on the government.
Fear demonstrated in the media
The third issue ‘fear of the other’ is evidenced in ‘Mandatory Sentencing and Aboriginal Crime’ with attempts to undo years of reconciliation by discussing inflammatory racist stereotypes without any Indigenous perspective from a tertiary source, let alone an interview.
There is a distinct denial of humanity throughout. “A common element in oppression and subordination is denial of humanity of the other”.The ironically ‘anonomous’ author states: “This article aims to put perspective into the issue of Aboriginal crime. It is a sad reflection on the mainstream media that none of them have the guts or integrity to publish such an article.” It is reminiscent of Keith Windschuttle’s revised Australian history in its distancing and distasteful representation.
The piece stereotypically “draws on fears associated with past conflict between Indigenous and non-Indigenous colonial Australia”. The article is the first ‘google’ hit when ‘Aboriginal crime’ is searched and is widely available. It places Indigenous interests as directly opposite to non-Indigenous interests using fear of ‘the other’.
The future of media representation of Indigenous persons
The aforementioned reports discuss the inadequacies of media, yet also show there is opportunity in a post-apology era for media to begin to understand and properly deal with Indigenous legal issues when Indigenous perspective is considered.
It is important for media to not only include Indigenous perspectives but also Indigenous aspirations. For example, ‘Gang of 49’ showed Indigenous people aspired to raise ‘good’ (law abiding) families just as any Australian parents aspire to raise successful youth. Mayor Lacey aspires to an Australia were communities push “economic reform”, rather than “welfare reform” just as opposition leader Tony Abbott does. In conclusion, by including Indigenous aspirations and perspectives the media will stop denying Indigenous humanity and will not misrepresent issues. An informed audience will no longer be ignorant. There will be no fear of ‘the other’ but an acknowledgment of Australia’s rich legal complexities.
[1] 2006. Mandatory Sentencing and Aboriginal Crime. Australian News. April 8. (accessed August 3, 2010).
[2]Russel, A. 2010. Gang of 49: The gang that never was. D. Ali Russell. Sydney: Australian Broadcasting Corp. Video.
[3] Tiga Bayless and Mayor Lacey. 2010. Streaming sound recording: MP3.(accessed August 20, 2010).
[4] Walls, B. 2007. Flair and Dare. The Age. May 26.
[5] David Hollingsworth, ‘The construction of Australian Racism 1770-1920’ in Race and racism in Australia (Thompson, South Melbourne: 2006) 4, 70.
[6] Anne Rutherford, Negotiating Indigenous documentary storytelling, audience and cultural sensibility, (Metro: 2004) 3, 56.
[7]Russel, A. 2010. Gang of 49: The gang that never was. D. Ali Russell. Sydney: Australian Broadcasting Corp. Video.
[9] Paull, N. 2010. Palm Island Mayor blames grog laws. The Australian. June 12.
[10] Andrew Markus, Australian Race Relations: 1788-1993 (Allen and Unwin: 1994).
[11] Keith Windschuttle, The Fabrication of Aboriginal History: Three Stolen Generations 1881-2008 (Salisbury, Australia: 2009)
[12] David Hollingsworth, ‘The construction of Australian Racism 1770-1920’ in Race and racism in Australia (Thompson, South Melbourne: 2006) 4, 70.
[13]2010. No more welfare state: Abbott. Ninemsn News. August 17.
[14] Manne. R. 2010. Sorry litany of misinformation . February 6.
Rebecca Mickan - Rebecca has studied a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (creative writing) minoring in fashion at Queensland University of ...
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