Google AI


Modern Australian

Fair representation in news makes multicultural Australians feel more at home: new research

  • Written by: Sora Park, Professor of Communication, News & Media Research Centre, University of Canberra
Fair representation in news makes multicultural Australians feel more at home: new research

Belonging can be defined as a settled feeling. It is about feeling attached to the community and society you live in. Not only does belonging make people feel at home, but it can also help people participate in society.

More than 5 million Australians use a language other than English at home, of which 15% have low English proficiency. Almost one-third (28%) are born overseas. How do we ensure they are part of the society?

A new report unveils research examining the impact of news representation on multilingual audiences’ sense of belonging to broader Australian society. The report employed a survey combining face-to-face, phone, and online methods to ask questions of five multilingual groups: Arabic, Cantonese, Italian, Mandarin, and Vietnamese speakers.

Participation in society by sense of belonging

The study found that multilingual Australians’ sense of belonging is closely related to their confidence in participating in society. Compared to those who say they don’t belong, people who feel “at home” in Australia are twice as likely to say they have a good understanding of political and social issues facing Australia. Furthermore, among those who feel at home in Australia, the majority agree they are well informed (71%) and think their cultural community can have a significant impact on society (71%). Where does this confidence to participate come from? We found that time spent in Australia and proficiency in English are both related to belonging. It seems to take more than 10 years for migrants to find a sense of belonging in Australia; 76% of those who have lived in Australia for more than 10 years feel at home in Australia compared to only 64% of those who arrived here less than five years ago. Having high confidence in English is also a factor. Sense of belonging by English proficiency and lenght of stay
Furthermore, the study found that feeling represented in the news is strongly related to multilingual audiences’ sense of belonging. Those who feel fairly represented in the news are much more likely to feel a sense of belonging to the Australian society. The majority (86%) of those who feel adequately represented in the news “feel at home”, compared to only 62% of those who don’t feel represented. This may be because perceptions of news representation foster trust in news. We found that multilingual audiences who believe they are sufficiently and fairly represented in the news have a much higher level of trust in news compared to those who feel under- or misrepresented. Three-quarters (76%) of multilingual audiences who feel their cultural community is fairly covered in the news say they trust the news. This trust level drops to 40% if they don’t feel they are represented. Sense of belonging by fair news representation Misrepresented and under-represented in the media The problem is that many migrants feel under- or misrepresented in Australian news. Only 42% say news in Australia covers their cultural or language community fairly, while just 38% say there is enough coverage. Even fewer (33%) say journalists in the news represent people like them. Compared to the general public, where more than half (52%) think their ethnic group is portrayed fairly in the news, this is a much lower figure. There is simply not enough coverage in mainstream news that linguistically and culturally diverse Australians can relate to. A recent study found 78% of presenters, commentators and reporters had an Anglo-Celtic background. In a survey of Australian journalists, we found less than one-third say there is enough ethnic diversity in their news organisation. Trust in Australian news media These findings suggest there is room for improved recruitment and reporting practices in the news industry. By providing news that is trustworthy and representative, news media can help all Australians to stay informed. Informed citizens are more likely to be empowered to participate in social and political issues facing society. Providing relevant, localised information, including news in languages, that multicultural audiences can relate to, is an important way in which the news media can play a role in social cohesion. By reflecting the diverse cultural perspectives and experiences of its audiences, news media can drive a greater sense of belonging. Authors: Sora Park, Professor of Communication, News & Media Research Centre, University of Canberra

Read more https://theconversation.com/fair-representation-in-news-makes-multicultural-australians-feel-more-at-home-new-research-204104

Better Business Photos Without Misleading Customers: An Australian Guide

A timber dining set looks inviting against a sunny deck, with cushions, lanterns and enough chairs for the whole family. But imagine the retailer sell...

Understanding a dental implant Melbourne Treatment Plan

A dental implant Melbourne patients may consider is one option for replacing a missing tooth, but suitability depends on oral health, bone support a...

How 3PL Logistics Australia Supports Faster and More Efficient Supply Chains

Why Has 3PL Logistics Become Important for Growing Businesses?  Gone are the days when supply chains were simpler and in minimal quantity. Now, the...

Common Skin Concerns and Treatment Options Available in Melbourne

Skin concerns can develop gradually or become noticeable following changes in age, lifestyle, sun exposure or hormonal factors. Pigmentation, rednes...

Why a Code-Compliant Home Can Still Feel Uncomfortable

When people build or renovate a home, they usually expect that meeting current building requirements will also produce a comfortable place to live. ...

Breach of Contract in Business: What Are Your Options?

Contracts are essential to business relationships. They establish expectations, allocate responsibilities and provide a framework for delivering goods...

How Pest Control Companies Can Rank for the Problems Customers Search First

Introduction SEO for Pest Control needs to start with the customer’s problem. Most people do not search for pest services in a neat or technical wa...

What Are the Benefits of Renovating an Older Home in Sydney?

Sydney has plenty of character homes, from Federation cottages to mid-century brick homes. Renovating rather than rebuilding can preserve what makes t...

Pool and Deck Design: How to Plan the Perfect Outdoor Living Space for Your Sydney Home

For many Australians, the backyard is where life happens. Summer barbecues, weekend swims and long evenings outdoors are all part of the lifestyle, ...

Is Solar Pool Heating Worth It? What Sydney Homeowners Should Know

There's nothing quite like a backyard pool on a hot Sydney day. But once autumn rolls in, many pools sit unused for months because the water is simp...

Planning a Luxury House Move: A Week-by-Week Timeline for Prestige Sydney Homes

Selling or buying a prestige home is a major milestone. Whether it's a waterfront residence in Birchgrove, a grand Federation home in Haberfield or ...

Downsizing or Upgrading Your Caravan? Here's How to Sell It Without the Hassle

Selling a caravan can feel like a major task, especially when you are unsure about its value, paperwork, or how to find a buyer. Whether you are dow...

The Best Overseas Adventure Holidays for Australians Who Love the Outdoors

Australia offers no shortage of incredible outdoor experiences, but sometimes the best way to satisfy your sense of adventure is to head overseas. A...

Cape Town Wine Shuttle: Winelands Tasting & Tours

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the picturesque Cape Winelands, where world-class wines and breathtaking scenery await. Our Cape Town Win...

Metal Fabrication: Choosing Metal Fabrication Melbourne Services for Custom Projects

What Modern Metal Fabrication Involves From individual components to complete structures, metal fabrication brings together processes such as desig...

Why Giant Rats Tail Grass Keeps Coming Back After Spraying

Giant Rats Tail Grass (GRT) is one of the most frustrating pasture weeds for farmers and lifestyle property owners. You spray an infested area, see th...

When Custom Cardboard Boxes Make Sense for Your Business

Custom cardboard boxes can be useful when a standard carton does not fit a product, packing method or presentation requirement particularly well. A ...

Full-Height vs. Pop-Top Caravan: Which Is Better for Family Travel across WA?

A pop-top caravan is an excellent choice for travellers who want the comfort of a caravan without committing to a larger, bulkier setup. With a lowe...