- perpetuating myths and stereotypes in the media
- 'The Colour of Money', Damien Murphy, The Bulletin, October 95
- Comment:
- Executive Officer of the Aboriginal Justice Advisory Group, Gail Wallace, on the media's role in bridging the cultural gap
- Executive Director, Strategy & Review Branch, NSW Police, Neil Bridge, on the reality of policing in Redfern
- ABC TV Indigenous Programs Unit producer/presenter, Michelle Tuahine, on the media's stereotyping of Indigenous Australians
- 'Black is not a Colour', Letter to the Editor from HREOC's Zita Antonios and Mick Dodson, The Bulletin, 31 Oct 95
Please note that none of the reports in the case studies have been the subject of complaints or queries under the Racial Hatred Act.
Reports of racial issues which resort to myths and stereotypes defy the basic tenets of responsible journalism, perpetuating negative images and misinformation about ethnic and Indigenous groups. With day-to-day pressures on journalists to produce material within deadlines and editorial agendas, it is easy to embrace stereotypes and myths. Even the most well-meaning report can inadvertently promote such images.
The report by The Bulletin's Damien Murphy examines race relations in Australia by comparing them to the racial disquiet in the United States highlighted by the OJ Simpson trial last year.
Featured in The Bulletin's special Race Hate issue (October 1995) the report provoked comments about the perpetuation of negative stereotypes that are inaccurate and have the potential to harm the process of reconciliation in Australia.
NOTE: Damien Murphy granted permission to reproduce his article but did not see the need to comment further on this case study.
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