Aboriginal population underrepresented in mainstream reporting

The report, Buried Voices: Media Coverage of Aboriginal Issues in Ontario, which monitored 171 publications using quantitative analysis of media coverage examining trends, news spikes, and tone of media focused on Aboriginal people,  has offered three conclusions regarding coverage of Aboriginal people in Ontario media: the Aboriginal population is widely underrepresented in mainstream media; when Aboriginal people choose to protest or ‘make more noise’ the number of stories focused on the community increased; and as coverage related to the protests and talks between Aboriginals and government became more frequent, the proportion of stories with a negative tone correspondingly increased. “Many reporters lack the knowledge of history and context that is essential for understanding complex issues that have long historical antecedents,” said University of Fraser Valley social work and human rights instructor Robert Harding. “Furthermore, they often lack the tools to work with Aboriginal sources and issues in an effective and culturally sensitive way.” Harding suggested the quality in Aboriginal reporting could be improved if reporters were more committed to reaching out and visiting the communities they’re reporting on. Publications could also hire more Indigenous journalists with inherent knowledge of Native culture, and consider speaking with Indigenous people more often about stories as routine as the weather or interest rates. The report was conducted by Journalists for Human Rights.