Indigenous journalists in Australia have described the treatment they face in the country's major sports media as "terrifying," according to a recent inquiry. The issue came to light as Australia's two major football codes, rugby league and Australian rules football, were found to have excluded Indigenous voices from their media coverage. The inquiry, which is examining systemic racism in sports media, has heard testimony from Indigenous media leaders who detailed the abuse and marginalization they experience.
One Indigenous journalist described being ignored by sports media outlets despite covering major events. Another highlighted the lack of representation of Indigenous athletes in media narratives, which she said perpetuated harmful stereotypes. The inquiry is looking into how media organizations can better include Indigenous perspectives and address the ongoing discrimination faced by Indigenous journalists.
The findings so far suggest a deep-rooted issue within Australia's sports media landscape. Indigenous media leaders are calling for urgent reforms to ensure fair representation and respect for their work. The inquiry is expected to release its final report in the coming months, which could lead to policy changes aimed at improving inclusion in the media industry.
