HSC203 - Media Analysis: Impact on Australian Indigenous Health

This essay explores the portrayal of Indigenous health in Australian media, focusing on the impact of media items on the well-being of Australian Indigenous people. It analyzes three newspaper articles, identifying positive, negative, and neutral qualities, and links these to learning outcomes related to cultural safety and healthcare knowledge. The analysis reveals how media can perpetuate stereotypes or promote understanding, influencing public perception and potentially affecting health outcomes. The essay concludes that media plays a crucial role in shaping attitudes towards Indigenous health and recommends a collaborative approach between government and media to address gaps in healthcare services and improve the overall well-being of Indigenous communities. Desklib offers a variety of resources for students, including solved assignments and past papers.

Running Head: Nursing Assignment
NURSING ASSIGNMENT

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Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................3
Key measures of media items.....................................................................3
Identification of negative, positive and neutral qualities of media items....4
Impact of negative, positive and neutral aspects of media items on
readers........................................................................................................6
Linking health issue with learning outcomes...............................................7
Conclusion...................................................................................................8
References................................................................................................10
Appendices................................................................................................12

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Introduction
Aim of this study is to explore potential health issues that are affecting
well being of Australian indigenous people. On another hand, this paper is
focusing on role of media in reporting health issues of Australian
indigenous people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders consist of
indigenous people, which forms 3% total Australian population. Media
plays an effective role in maintaining relationship between these
communities with mainstream people.
Key measures of media items
In this study, the topic of mental health is chosen and three newspaper
articles about Australian indigenous people are chosen. A major portion of
Australian indigenous people suffers from mental issues like depression,
which influences in suicide rates of this group (Azzopardi et al. 2018).
The first article comprises of information about various planning of
different political parties about indigenous people in Australia to improve
mental health. The article is from “The indigenous times” and it is
published on May 14th, 2019. According to this article, the liberal party
has plan that is dedicated to mental health issue of youths in indigenous
communities. They want to invest $22.5 million on health research
projects regarding indigenous people of Australia (Nit.com.au, 2019).
Moreover, labor party has promised to address suicide rate of indigenous
people due to poor mental health. On another hand, the greens have also

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promised to provide facilities regarding mental health and disability
services to indigenous people at cheaper rates.
The second selected newspaper article is concerned about increasing
suicide rate in indigenous people in Australia and "The Guardian" has
published this news on 14th May 2019. In 2019, already 62 indigenous
people have died and there is no specific national strategy to reduce this
rate. This article has mentioned that support is provided to families after
occurrence of suicide cases (Theguardian.com, 2019). The director of
research project of 2016 has mentioned that lack of self-determination
may be the main cause behind increasing suicide rate among indigenous
people. Mental health is the main reason behind suicide and this article
has mentioned this fact.
The third selected media item is published by “The Guardian” on 5th
December 2018. This paper has postulated that mental illness is not the
main reason behind suicide cases. Family history of suicide is being
mentioned as an influence of suicide cases in Australian indigenous group
(Theguardian.com. 2018).
Identification of negative, positive and neutral qualities of media
items
The first article is based on different plans and policies that political
parties would take after gaining power. Different promises are described,
which are provided by different political parties like labor, greens, and
others. In this article, different plans and policies are described; however,
current failure of policies and reasons for degradation of mental health is

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not stated. It is a neutral article that contains stereotypical news, which
describes different planning of political parties and government for
indigenous people in Australia. In real, Australia lacks proper architecture
of mental health (Ama.com.au, 2018). There is no proper national design
and structure that can help in providing help to indigenous people who are
suffering from mental illness. As stated by Stoneham et al. (2014), main
problem of mental illness in indigenous population in Australia is racism
and discrimination. However, in this article, lacks of policies and
regulations are not mentioned. Hence, it cannot be identified as a positive
or negative article.
The second article contains some positive points that discuss regarding
safety and health of indigenous peoples. It is mentioned in this article that
trauma recovery project helps families after occurrence of some deaths.
This report contains investigation report of different medical organizations
and it is stated that no national strategy for indigenous suicide
prevention. This article describes that suicidal tendency varies on
communities. Different aims of KAMS are also described in this article that
increases transparency. Hence, both current mental health conditions and
preventions are described in a positive manner.
The third article is a kind of stereotypical news that lacks facts and
research. It is a negative news report that focuses on describing cause of
suicide among indigenous people. According to this report, suicidal
tendency passes from elder to children and it's a hormonal condition.
Moreover, drug addiction of indigenous children is also mentioned that is
promoting discrimination. Drug addiction is a global problem among

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youths and children and not only indigenous children are affected by it.
Comparison is done between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians
regarding mental stress and areas of living. This promotes discrimination
and can be identified as a negative point in this article.
Impact of negative, positive and neutral aspects of media items
on readers
Negative portrayal of media items includes subjects such as racism, abuse
discrimination, and other similar facts. According to Leske et al. (2016),
discussion of these factors influence stereotypes of society. The third
media item can be considered as a negative portrayal regarding mental
health of indigenous people. This kind of negative portrayal impact on
mind of readers and influence them to believe stereotypes. This article
has mentioned that most of the indigenous people get influenced by
suicide cases of their peer. This kind of viewpoints may impact on the
minds of readers and their focus can be transferred from mental health
issues to influencers of suicide. People will not take initiative to reduce
mental illness. In spite, they will think that mental health issues are
negligible and suicide cannot be prevented as it is in the history of
indigenous people.
As opined by Sarnyai, Berger & Jawan (2016), positive portrayal of media
impact on the mind of readers easily and helps to eradicate stereotype.
For example, the second media item has mentioned several approaches
taken by Kimberley Aboriginal Medical service. This kind of contents
influence readers to break stereotype regarding indigenous people and

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treat them as equal to other Australian from other cultures. Readers get
ideas of change in mentality towards aboriginal people and it helps to
improve lifestyle of indigenous people. Reduction of mental issue may
take place if they got respect and equal rights in society. Hence, it will be
easiest to reduce rate of suicide in indigenous Australians.
There are some media items that do not have either positive or negative
impact on readers. As mentioned by Stoneham et al. (2014), this kind of
media items present general discussion and do not consider all aspects
within the report. The first selected media item has discussed future plans
to improve mental health of indigenous people. However, it has not
mentioned about current gaps. Due to this reason, this item is not capable
to influence readers with its content.
Linking health issue with learning outcomes
In the article of Stoneham et al. (2014), it has been mentioned that near
about 74% of media ensures negative portrayal regarding health issues of
indigenous people and it has negative impact on the society. In addition, it
has been mentioned that only 15% of total media reporting is about
positive portrayal. 11% media reports are neutral and they are not
capable to influence stereotypes of society Media reporting affect a large
number of populations and media has the potential to influence
stereotypes regarding mental health issues of indigenous people of
Australia in both positive and negative manner. For example, the third
chosen media item has mentioned that mental health is not the only
cause of suicide. This is a traditional healthcare knowledge that states

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different mental issues like depression is the only cause of suicide.
However, history of indigenous people is concerned about frequent suicide
and it is influencing indigenous people of this current generation. This is
nothing but a stereotype regarding reason of suicide. On another hand,
the second media item as mentioned that initiative must be taken to
prevent suicide. This can be linked with another learning outcome of
principles of cultural safety while working in partnership. Media and
government need to work in partnership to provide cultural security to
indigenous people. The first media item has only mentioned about future
plans to improve mental health condition of indigenous people and has
not mentioned current gaps of actions. It means that this item is showing
effect on existing stereotypes related to Australian Indigenous people.
This can also be linked with third learning outcome of the unit. Allocation
of money and forming regulations is a traditional way of mitigating this old
problem of mental distress among indigenous people in Australia.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that media plays an
essential role in portraying health of indigenous people. Different media
articles are described in this study and positive and negative points are
identified. Different issues that degrade mental health condition of
indigenous people is ignored in some media articles. This, in turn,
promotes racism and discrimination. Moreover, it can be recommended
that partnership between government and media houses is essential,
which can help to find out issues and gaps in service regarding mental

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health of indigenous people. Attitudes and stereotype of belief of media
houses need to be changed that can help to improve the current situation.

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References
Ama.com.au (2018), Medical Association of Australia, Retrieved on 25th
May 2019, from: https://ama.com.au/position-statement/mental-
health-2018
Azzopardi, P. S., Sawyer, S. M., Carlin, J. B., Degenhardt, L., Brown, N.,
Brown, A. D., & Patton, G. C. (2018). Health and wellbeing of
Indigenous adolescents in Australia: a systematic synthesis of
population data. The Lancet, 391(10122), 766-782. Retrieved
from:https://www.burnet.edu.au/system/asset/file/2801/Health_and_
wellbeing_of_Indigenous_Adolescents_in_Australia.pdf
Leske, S., Harris, M. G., Charlson, F. J., Ferrari, A. J., Baxter, A. J., Logan, J.
M., ... & Whiteford, H. (2016). Systematic review of interventions for
Indigenous adults with mental and substance use disorders in
Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. Australian &
New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 50(11), 1040-1054. Retrieved
from:https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0004867416662
150
Nit.com.au (2019), Which political party will best champion Indigenous
Australia?, Retrieved on 25th May 2019, from
https://nit.com.au/which-political-party-will-best-champion-
indigenous-australia/
Sarnyai, Z., Berger, M., & Jawan, I. (2016). Allostatic load mediates the
impact of stress and trauma on physical and mental health in
Indigenous Australians. Australasian Psychiatry, 24(1), 72-75.

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Retrieved
from:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Zoltan_Sarnyai/publicatio
n/
286445581_Allostatic_load_mediates_the_impact_of_stress_and_trau
ma_on_physical_and_mental_health_in_Indigenous_Australians/
links/566bfc3508aea0892c4f684c.pdf
Stoneham, M., Goodman, J., & Daube, M. (2014). The portrayal of
Indigenous health in selected Australian media. The International
Indigenous Policy Journal, 5(1), 1-13. Retrieved from:
https://espace.curtin.edu.au/bitstream/handle/20.500.11937/33658/
197036_197036.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y
Theguardian.com (2018), Suicide crisis in remote Indigenous communities
'Australia's shame', Senate inquiry finds. Retrieved on 25th May
2019,
from:https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/dec/05/suici
de-crisis-in-remote-indigenous-communities-australias-shame-
senate-inquiry-finds
Theguardian.com (2019). 'Unspeakable': how can Australia stop the
Indigenous suicide epidemic?. Retrieved on 25th May 2019,
from:https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/may/14/uns
peakable-how-can-australia-stop-the-indigenous-suicide-epidemic

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Appendices
Appendix 1
Media item 1
(Source: https://nit.com.au/which-political-party-will-best-champion-
indigenous-australia/)