Distant and intimate conversations: media and indigenous health policy in Australia

Coverage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nutrition in major Australian newspapers, 1996–2015

“…This study adds to the growing body of literature about the relationship between mainstream news media reporting and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy 10,11,21 . We identified six policy functions of newspaper articles: highlighting problems; reporting government announcements; promoting programs; advocating solutions; critiquing government; and defending policy.…”

“…Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is highly politicised, with policy debates often playing out in the media 10 . Previous research has demonstrated that media reporting of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health issues is intimately related to policy development 10,11 . Media stories can frame public and political discourse about health ‘problems’, which in turn might determine the range of policy responses considered by government(s) 12 …”

Indigenous obesity in the news: a media analysis of news representation of obesity in Australia’s Indigenous population

“…Recent research has identified the significant influences of media framing of Indigenous issues on the Australian political and public spheres [ 16 , 25 , 32 – 36 ], however McCallum has also noted that literature exploring media representation of Indigenous health is limited [ 16 ]. Hollinsworth [ 34 ] argues that media framing of Indigenous Australians is particularly influential, as many people have little other involvement with the Indigenous community.…”

Coverage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nutrition in the Koori Mail

“…According to agenda‐setting theory, the mass media has the ability to elevate issues on the policy agenda by reporting them more frequently and prominently than others, thereby making them appear more important 50 . Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nutrition receives limited coverage in mainstream media 15,18,19 and little attention on the national policy agenda 51 ; however, the Koori Mail published an average of one nutrition‐related article per issue. This demonstrates the relevance of nutrition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities, yet this focus may not filter through to key spheres of influence that enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in policy‐making processes 27,49 …”

“…Previous studies have identified that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health issues are often framed by the mainstream media in a negative light and as ‘problems’ requiring individual responsibility and/or radical policy action 14,15,17–19 . This framing contributes to deficits discourse, racial stereotypes and ongoing colonisation 20 .…”