I am just wondering how you think that Aboriginal people are portrayed in the media today. Are they portrayed negatively or positively?

Hi Lalaamy, thanks for posting. Hope it is the first of many. Thought I would throw into the mix a book I only became aware of on Wednesday. It's "The politics of suffering" by anthropologist and linguist Peter Sutton and it is a very critical of the liberal consensus on how to deal with aborigines of the last 50 years.

There is a short review of it here http://www.daretolead.edu.au/servlet/Web?s=169694&p=Book_Report_Peter_Sutton. The first of two parts of an interview with the author are here http://www.abc.net.au/rural/telegraph/content/2010/s3017701.htm.

Well worth tuning in.

Hi lalaamy

The media is a large church. Noel Pearson is a hero among some journalist while a traitor according to others. People can have their prejudices confirmed easily today by selecting certain media outlets. Ask a person what newspaper they read and you have a pretty good view of how they vote.

Dear lalaamy,

Welcome to the Forum.

Negative representation of Aborigines in
the Media has been identified as a major
cause of prejudice against Indigenous
Peoples of Australia.

We often read reports where the Aboriginality
tends to be made known unnecessarily in reports
about alcoholism, and violent crimes. This adds
to the stereotyping of Aboriginal people.

The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in
Custody asserted that negative media portrayals
of Indigenous People and issues were a major
concern and it was recommended that journalists
be educated in cross-cultural awareness.

We very rarely read much that is positive in the
newspapers. Look at the media stir that was caused
by Historian Henry Reynolds with his book,
"Why Weren't We Told?" The book is a frank account
of his personal journey towards the realisation
that he, like generations of Australians, grew up
with a distorted and idealised version of the past.

This book shocked, moved, and intrigued many of us,
and to me it should be crucial reading for all
Australians in the 21st Century.

However, there are many people who are still in
denial about things - and the Media certainly
contributes towards their thinking.

As Reynolds tells us:

"Tolerance and understanding have broadened out.
Bigotry is in retreat. But the racist past still
weighs heavily on the present and might yet
destroy any hope of reconciliation in this
generation. Black-armband history is often distressing,
but it does enable us to know and understand the
incubus which burdens us all."

I'd like to see more focus on the achievements of
the Indigenous People, not on the negative aspects
of some of their lives. Imagine if you're a young
Indigenous person growing up in Australia - who
would your role models be? The media could help
greatly by taking the right direction and focus
on this subject. We just don't seem to have enough
caring editors. They prefer to go for what sells
newspapers - sensationalism, rather than truth!

I just love the way that journalists from Sydney will happily go to some of the most remote parts of the outback, but would never dream of going to Mount Druitt, or Moree, or Casino etc. You would think that no Aboriginal person lives south of the Tropic of Capricorn.

Me too welcome Friend.
I put little trust in our media.
Look like it or not no race is excluded we have the good the bad and the ugly in every race.
It frustrates me, my job sees me looking after Aboriginal workers at work.
Some are headed for leadership rolls other total failure.
Education, culture and the simple shyness most have are often a problem.
It is true that post, some rural community's are very near lost for ever.
Pearson? should be without having to be in Parliament this country's Minister for Aboriginal affairs