Media Pathways Program

Opportunities

Media Pathways Program

Media Diversity Australia, in collaboration with Western Sydney University, presents the MEDIA INDUSTRY PATHWAYS PROGRAM.

This dynamic series is designed to provide comprehensive support to culturally and linguistically diverse students, graduates, and job seekers in communications. The program aims to equip participants, especially those with refugee and asylum-seeker backgrounds, with the skills, confidence, connections, and experience necessary to thrive in the Australian media industry and pursue employment opportunities.

In September 2023, four evening sessions will be held at WSU’s Parramatta City Campus, showcasing an impressive lineup of renowned journalists, presenters, and media professionals. Prepare to be inspired and gain invaluable insights from these accomplished speakers as they share their expertise and experiences.

After completing the seminar series, selected participants will embark on internship placements (details forthcoming).

This program is limited to past and present Western Sydney University students.

Media Diversity Australia proudly upholds and promotes diversity, inclusion, and equity practices in media recruitment and workplace environments. This commitment is made possible through the generous support of our program sponsors, the Bennelong Foundation and Multicultural NSW.

22/06/202328/06/2023Careers

Company Secretary

Careers

Company Secretary

Title: Company Secretary
Team: Board
Reporting to: Chair of the Board
Location: Online and in-person meetings (various locations)
Term: Minimum 2 years
Time required: 8-10 hours per month
Role classification: Volunteer (unpaid), however travel and other expenses related to the role will be reimbursed

About the Role:

The Company Secretary supports the Board by facilitating the company’s corporate governance processes, and being primarily responsible for ensuring that the Board processes run efficiently and effectively. This includes organising and coordinating the Board’s business, and advising the Board on governance and compliance matters.

Key Responsibilities:

Maintain the company’s statutory registers and records.
Update the records held by the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
Advise the Board of Directors on their legal and corporate responsibilities and matters of corporate governance.
Develop, implement, communicate and maintain compliance policies, processes and procedures, including those relating to the Board.
Organise the company’s Board meetings and the annual general meeting, including preparing the agenda and papers for meetings, in cooperation with the Chair and the CEO.
Attend and record minutes of Board meetings.
Ensure company compliance with legal obligations, especially its reporting obligations to regulators.
Any other services the Chair or the Board requires.

Key skills and experience:

Experience advising Boards.
Strong legal compliance knowledge, including required knowledge of corporate governance (including the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 (Cth)).
Passion for creating a diverse and inclusive society, where people of culturally diverse background (particularly people of colour) are valued, respected and have access to the same opportunities as the rest of society.
Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills.

How to apply:

To apply, please email alvrodas@gmail.com expressing your interest in the role, attaching:

A short cover letter (200 words) outlining your interest; and
your CV
Contact details of two recent referees

Please use the Email Subject: Application – Company Secretary (Your Name)

Media Diversity Australia believes in equity and diversity in the workplace, and the promotion of a culture of opportunity. In line with our focus on diversity, applications from Indigenous Australians and people from a range of cultural and racially marginalised backgrounds are strongly encouraged.

About Media Diversity Australia

Media Diversity Australia (MDA) is a national not-for-profit organisation, founded in 2017, to champion cultural diversity in Australian journalism and news media. Our vision is to have a media industry with full and equal participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-white journalists, and those who speak languages other than English at all levels (including senior management and board positions)

Our team brings deep knowledge of Australia’s media, together with an understanding of the challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) people in the industry. In partnership with others, we have a track record of delivering impactful programs.

13/05/202313/05/2023Careers

Growth & Development Manager

Careers

Growth & Development Manager

Job Description

Location: Sydney
3 days a week: 1 day in CBD office and rest worked flexibly across week
Salary range full-time base salary of $85,000 per annum including superannuation
Contract role 4 months with strong view to extend based on performance and subject to funding

About the Role:

This in exciting and unique opportunity to play a key role in MDA’s efforts to promote diversity, respect and inclusion across Australian media and society at large. Reporting to MDA’s CEO, this role will be primarily responsible for helping grow MDA’s footprint and help secure financial and in-kind funding opportunities as well other secondary roles including helping support MDA’s members and maintaining its digital presence.

With a focus on development, you will be responsible for driving revenue generation for MDA through strategic partnerships and seeking funding for existing, and new, programs. In addition, you will be responsible for seeking out opportunities for improved profitability and in tailoring partnerships to business needs.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits, including flexible work arrangements in an inclusive working environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Management of fundraising strategy, including annual pipeline and database of prospective funders.
Strategic advice and support around fundraising, and other growth opportunities, working collaboratively with MDAs CEO to pursue highest ROI opportunities.
Overseeing management of all fundraising efforts.
Oversight and/or execution of other strategic and operational work as aligned with MDA’s growth strategy, KPIs and operating plan.
Collaborate with CEO to refine MDA’s growth strategy.
Collaborate with CEO to drive revenue generation for MDA through strategic partnerships with Corporates, Business, Government, NGOs, Trusts & Foundations, High Net Worth Individuals, and others.
Support CEO in scoping out services for and responding to for MDA members
Managing the end-to-end process for grants; includes managing the development of project processes and reporting requirements to ensure a quality governance process is in place for all projects including collaborating with other team members on administrative, evaluation, and acquittal requirements.
Create persuasive pitch and marketing materials for proposals to prospective partners
Actively improve and increase involvement with existing stakeholders.
Monitor and report on stakeholder engagement activity.
Attend key industry events to keep abreast of industry developments, identifying new opportunities for MDA.
Develop and maintain systems and procedures to manage the business development administrative function.
Design digital content in line with MDA’s brand guidelines in Canva or equivalent to support growth strategy.
Work autonomously in a start-up-like environment, supported by the high calibre team, volunteer executive committee and board.
Actively participate, contributing to the team and organisational initiatives.

Qualifications:

Highly organised with strong attention to detail
Must have a genuine interest in diversity, equity & inclusion
Working rights in Australia
Marketing/comms skills preferred
A keen interest or background, in Journalism preferred

About Media Diversity Australia

Founded by journalists in 2017, Media Diversity Australia is a national not-for-profit organisation, working towards creating a media landscape that looks and sounds like Australia.

They have expertise in delivering evidence-based research, bespoke programs, strategic memberships and partnerships that disrupt the status quo and pave pathways for diverse representation across Australian media.

For further information on this position please email hello@mediadiversity.org.au

23/03/202323/03/2023Newsletter

MDA Quarterly Newsletter (Jan – Mar 2023)

Message From The CEO

Budyeri kamaru (hello!) from Eora Country,

We’ve had a jam-packed start to 2023 at Media Diversity Australia.

Our newsletter is now going out quarterly, so we can focus on our expanding suite of impactful programs. We post regularly to social media, so follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for events, opportunities and announcements.

We’ve been busy delivering our Summer Fellowships, Women of Colour Mentorships and more. As well as onboarding newsrooms who have joined up to our media membership model (welcome NewsCorp Australia, The Conversation Group and Private Media Group), and hosting statewide chapter events, including last month in the ACT with award-winning journalist, Peter Greste.

We were delighted to be invited to participate in the Australian Press Council’s Sydney Round Table on ‘Updating Advisory Guideline on Reporting of Race’ as well the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) consultation on a ‘news measurement framework’. We will also be presenting at the upcoming Australian Media Literacy Summit.

A highlight on our calendar was welcoming MDA’s Founder, Isabel Lo, back to Sydney from New York City for our annual Strategy Day. A heartfelt thank you to those who have been donating to our cause in Q1.

We have a big year planned, so watch this space!

Happy reading,

Mariam Veiszadeh (CEO) and the Media Diversity Team

In this issue:

Hear how The Age’s Abbir Dib turned her MDA internship into her dream career.
VIC State Chapter member K.C. Boey sheds light on a career dedicated to media and cultural advocacy.
Kelly Williams’ recent appointment as ABC’s Head of Indigenous, Diversity and Inclusion is an exciting step for the network.
Michelle Gortan, CEO of the Jibb Foundation, says media diversity is an “ethical and civil responsibility”.
Introducing MDA’s Winter Fellowship with social impact agency, Weld Stories.
Reforming journalism’s role in our democracy – an evening with Peter Greste in Canberra
Donation Campaign: Help us continue to have an impact, drive change and create a media landscape that truly looks and sounds like Australia.

The Age’s Abbir Dib turned an MDA internship into her dream career

“

Sometimes I felt isolated or unsure if certain behaviour was normal, and it helps to have a community or people behind you that you trust to listen.

– MDA Summer Fellowships graduate, Abbir Dib

”

After completing our inaugural Summer Fellowships (formerly Internships) program with Nine News Melbourne in 2020, Abbir continued working with the newsroom. She was recently offered her dream role as a journalist, social producer and opinion writer for The Age, another Fairfax-owned platform.

How did you transition from an MDA Summer Intern to a full-time journalist

This is no easy feat. It was tiring, but I took every opportunity to work hard and meet as many people as possible, both in the industry and out on the field. An internship is essentially one long interview. I was offered a position because I proved I could learn skills quickly and be a valuable asset to the team.

What do you love about your role?

In my current role at The Age, I love the challenge of translating hard news to the growing world of social media. Innovation in journalism is an exciting thing.

What did you learn during your MDA program that benefited your career progression?

I learnt quickly that no one is there to help you unless you have a good attitude. It’s quite sobering, but the onus was on me to show initiative and put aside nervousness. No one will wait for you to make it happen in your career. I also learnt that although senior journalists might be in the workforce, there’s always room for young, diverse perspectives. They’re very needed!

What advice can you offer young, diverse journalists taking their first steps?

Contact young diverse journalists like myself if you feel things are getting tough. Sometimes I felt isolated or unsure if certain behaviour was normal, and it helps to have a community or people behind you that you trust to listen. And also, confidence doesn’t just belong to a certain type of journey; feel empowered in your strengths and voice.

#MDAImpact Q1 Highlights:

–Selina Zhang (Summer Fellowships 2023) has been offered a role with Nine News Melbourne
–Anushri Sood (WOC Mentorships) has been hired as Interview Producer at Sky News
–Alicia Vrajlal (WOC Mentorships) has been promoted to Senior Culture Editor at Refinery29
–Tahnee Maxwell (Summer Fellowships 2023) has accepted a role with Hot 100 FM in Darwin

MDA’s Victoria Chapter K.C. Boey sheds light on a career dedicated to media and cultural advocacy

Born and raised in Malaysia and a Melbourne resident for over three decades, K.C. lives and works with diversity in his personal and professional life. As an international media veteran, he’s the former editor of Malay Mail, the first local English daily published during the colonial Federated Malay States, and journalist for The Age. K.C.’s interest in politics and culture saw him undertake further studies at Monash University. Driven by building cross-cultural bridges, his career has expanded into the policy space as an advocate for diversity, inclusion and equity.

Do you think Australia’s media landscape is changing to reflect our nation?

Media everywhere ought to be the mirror of the people that it is the product of and which it ought to reflect. It is instructive that sections of the Australian media have felt the need for a representative voice in setting up MDA, whose annual report card of the media landscape is now in its second edition. The media dial is moving. It will take time.

“

Media everywhere ought to be the mirror of the people that it is the product of and which it ought to reflect.

– K.C. Boey, MDA VIC Chapter

”

What steps should our media take for greater diversity and inclusion?

As with all attempts at change, the earlier we set desirable outcomes, the better and quicker we can arrive at solutions. I ruminated over this question in a fantasy published in the Asia-Pacific Media Educator. In many ways, the answer is taken out of the hands of the media. Power is vested in the political economy of the day and commercial interests. Diversity and inclusion in the media are as beholden to these whims as they are in all domestic and international affairs and interests.

What’s one piece of advice you can offer young journalists?

Read broadly. The 5Ws + H guide the structured coverage and presentation of any report, whether for a general audience or the specific interest of a medical patient, legal litigant or architectural client. The formula is helpful at the start of an assignment. Formulating questions to ask is critical in composing a coherent whole of the sum of the parts in an inquiry. The substance between the start and the end is informed by the inquisitive mind derived from knowing the subject matter through reading.

MDA Chapter Q1 Highlights:

-VIC Chapter Co-Secretary Achol Arok joins SBS News as a cadet and is up for a Melbourne Press Club Quills Award for an ABC News story co-produced with Dan Ziffer.
-VIC Chapter Co-Chair Nassim Khadem was interviewed for the Business In Colour podcast.
-ACT Chapter member Soofia Tariq joins SBS News as Federal Political Reporter.
-NSW Chapter Disability Affairs Officer Briana Blackett has written an op-ed about media coverage of autism and the NDIS for Hireup.

Meet Kelly Williams, the ABC’s new Head of Indigenous, Diversity and Inclusion

Kelly’s recent appointment as ABC’s Head of Indigenous, Diversity and Inclusion is an exciting step for the network. Having worked with the broadcaster for over 30 years, Kelly deeply understands talent management and media and is passionate about positively disrupting workplace culture.

You’ve had a fantastic career at the ABC. What are some highlights?

There are so many. I had two children and spent a few years job-sharing, on fixed-term engagements, and as a casual employee while juggling work and childcare—just getting through that was a highlight. Still, also that juggling allowed me to work across the People & Culture, News and Regional & Local divisions. I’ve produced social and digital platforms for Australian Story, Landline and Back Roads, designed and built TV specials, co-ordinated three ABC Reconciliation Action Plans, established the Diversity Advocates Network, and am currently finetuning the ABC’s 2023-26 Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging plan. I’ve also driven strategic partnerships between ABC, First Nations Media Australia, and First Languages Australia. I couldn’t do that work without Bronwyn Purvis (Partnerships Lead, ABC News).

I get great satisfaction in working with others to drive change. It keeps me inspired. And there is real joy in having your children watch you as you do that work. They are men now and often tell me they are proud of what I do.

What steps can media networks take to support First Nations or culturally and racially marginalised diverse job applicants?

Put First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse people in senior editorial and management positions. Media networks wouldn’t need to invest in resourcing programs on recruitment and retention if representation were at the top.

“

Media networks wouldn’t need to invest in resourcing programs on recruitment and retention if representation were at the top.

Kelly Williams, Head of Indigenous, Diversity & Inclusion ABC

”

What strategies can diversity advocates use to create more inclusive and supportive workplaces?

One of the easiest things to do is to ensure everyone is heard. If you are in a meeting and an Indigenous or diverse colleague hasn’t spoken, ask them to offer their opinion. And if their opinion adds something to the discussion, say that to everyone. You could also ensure that someone’s cultural authority is recognised during conversations about their communities. They may not be a senior leader, but they may have the cultural authority to inform a discussion about their community.

But further to that, don’t ask the First Nations or the culturally and linguistically diverse person in the room to speak for every community in the country or around the world when big issues hit the news. That has happened to me many times. I’m not a Black oracle. It makes me very uncomfortable to be put in that position.

What outcomes are you most looking forward to from ABC's membership with MDA?

I am so excited to work with MDA. It fits right in with my goal to create pathways into the ABC. I once purchased a painting during an Indigenous Staff Conference on the Gold Coast. For our community day, we went to the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre. I saw a painting called ‘Women’s Business’, which had 20 beautiful brown women, all depicting different activities in a line of unity. That painting became my inspiration for the pathways I want to leave behind. I think ABC’s membership with MDA will create some of those pathways.

MDA Membership Q1 Highlights:

-New MDA Members: NewsCorp Australia, The Conversation Group and Private Media Group
-The Nine Network debuted Sarah Abo as the new Today show co-host
-AAP launched an Indigenous Affairs desk, lead by Rudi Maxwell and Eelemarni Close-Brown
-The ABC published its Diversity & Inclusion Annual Report 2021-2022
-Channel 10 appointed MDA Mentor Narelda Jacobs to helm its national midday news bulletin

An "ethical and civic responsibility" - Jibb Foundation CEO Michelle Gortan on media diversity

The Jibb Foundation is helping sustain Media Diversity Australia’s strategic growth and overall vision. Established in 2013, Jibb is the family foundation of historic media proprietor John B Fairfax AO and his wife, Libby Fairfax, with a mission to support organisations that strive to improve the equality of opportunity for others. We caught up with Michelle, the foundation’s manager, to hear more about why they supported MDA and why Australia urgently needs a more diverse media landscape.

What are the Jibb Foundation’s key priorities?

The next few years are about supporting our new and long-standing partners with medium to long-term funding. Much of grant-making to date has been to fund salary costs. By providing stability of income for core costs, our partners can focus on attracting and keeping great people and, importantly, focus on getting the job done.

How do the Jibb Foundation’s strategic objectives align with MDA’s?

The commitment of MDA to removing the barriers for people of diverse backgrounds to enter media and journalism is challenging and important work, and the MDA team is passionate and ambitious about achieving that. Mariam (Veiszadeh) impressed me with her cool assessment of the problem MDA is trying to address, and I was equally impressed by her clarity and focus on how to address it. Naturally, the Fairfax family is deeply knowledgeable and committed to media and journalism. For them, interventions that support a high-quality and thriving media sector are of great interest. In their minds, MDA contributes solidly to creating and supporting such a sector.

Why is media diversity such an important issue?

It’s an ethical and civic responsibility. We live in one of the most multicultural countries in the world, and our institutions must reflect that. The media is crucial in informing and educating us and holding power to account. Every single part of our community should feel engaged and informed on the issues that affect them, and the media is one of the most powerful ways to achieve this. We also know that talent exists throughout our diverse communities. We must encourage and enable this talent to surface by directly addressing inequality and discrimination and unlocking opportunities whenever possible. We’ll all be better for it.

Introducing MDA’s Winter Fellowship Program

Media Diversity Australia has joined forces with Weld Stories, a Sydney-based digital content agency committed to social impact storytelling, to offer a Winter Fellowship for one candidate to join Weld’s small team full-time across May and June 2023.

The Fellowship winner will be included in calls with Weld Stories clients, concept development, research, writing, editing, planning, pre-production, distribution strategy, briefing of designers, production, reviewing edits and delivery of assets.

They will also work on developing and creating vibrant and relevant stories for MDA’s social channels.

The winning candidate will have a strong sense of the news and current affairs, an understanding of multimedia storytelling (e.g. feature articles, videos and podcasts), and creative thinking to help drive original approaches to narratives.

Entrants must be Sydney-based and available for six weeks from May 8 to June 16. The winning candidate will be paid a weekly stipend of $1000. For your chance to win, enter now.

Reforming journalism's role in our democracy - an evening with Peter Greste in Canberra

Our ACT Chapter proudly hosted a networking evening on Friday, February 24, featuring Professor Peter Greste at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, Canberra in partnership with the MEAA.

Greste, an award-winning journalist, author and academic (Macquarie University), spent fifteen years with the BBC before he joined Al Jazeera as East Africa correspondent. In December 2013, whilst reporting for Al Jazeera, he was arrested in Egypt and charged with airing false news and terrorism offences. Within six months, he was found guilty under the country’s anti-terrorism laws and spent 400 days in prison before being released in February 2015.

Thanks to Jessica Swann-Jadwat and our ACT Chapter members for driving this event!

Want to help create a media that looks and sounds like Australia?

As a not-for-profit organisation, we rely on the help of our incredible volunteers. With your financial and volunteer support, we can continue to run programs to support culturally and linguistically diverse journalists, conduct agenda-setting research, run networking events, provide practical solutions for the media industry, and much more. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to support the vital work we do, please click here.

About us

Founded by journalists (Isabel Lo and Antoinette Lattouf) in 2017, Media Diversity Australia (MDA) is a national not-for-profit organisation, working towards creating a media landscape that looks and sounds like Australia. We have expertise in delivering evidence-based research, bespoke programs, strategic memberships and partnerships that disrupt the status quo and pave pathways for diverse representation across Australian media.

Get in touch:

23/03/202322/08/2023Opportunities

Winter Fellowship 2023

Opportunities

Winter Fellowship 2023

Media Diversity Australia has joined forces with Weld Stories, a Sydney-based digital content agency committed to social impact storytelling, to offer a Winter Fellowship for one candidate to join Weld’s small team full-time across May and June 2023.

The Winter Fellowship is scheduled to run from Monday, May 2023 until Friday, June 16.
The Fellowship recipient will be mentored and supported by an MDA Mentor.

THE SIX-WEEK PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE

Calls with Weld Stories clients
Concept development
Research and planning
Writing and editing
Pre-production and production
Distribution strategy
Briefing of designers
Reviewing edits
Delivery of assets
Developing and creating vibrant and relevant stories for MDA’s social channels
Competitive weekly stipend provided for the duration of the Fellowship

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must have the right to work in Australia
Applicants will be from a First Nations or culturally and racially marginalised (CaRM) background
Applicants will preferably have experience working in new media or demonstrate strong writing or presentation skills
Applicants will ideally be available full-time for six weeks, however, scheduling flexibility can be discussed
You must address all of the following to be considered for this program:
In 500 words or less, please tell us about you, your media and communication experience, your leadership qualities and aspirations, and why you should be an MDA Winter Fellow.
Please attach a CV and at least one written reference.
Applications open on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at 9 am AEDT and close on Friday, April 21, 2023, at 5 pm AEST.
The Fellowship winner will be announced in late April 2023 after a shortlist interview process.

Applications are now closed.

29/12/202229/12/2022Events

End of Year Event (2022)

Events

End of Year Event (2022)

6 December 2022

MDA celebrated the end of a successful year with our esteemed media members, brilliant advisory board, dedicated staff, state chapter representatives and industry partners at the wonderful Canva space located in the city.

The evening commenced with a heartfelt speech from our CEO, Mariam Veiszadeh retrospectively looking back at the impact MDA has had this year. Our Director of Special Projects, Simone Amelia Jordan also known to emulate “aunty energy” in her approach of mentoring our past and current program graduates presented MDA’s 2022 impact video created by a set of talented TAFE students.

We soon moved on to a nuanced panel discussing how far the Australian media landscape has come in matters of diversity and inclusion and the role MDA has played in it. The interactive panel was moderated by our co-founder, Antoinette Lattouf with an impressive line up of panelists representing our media members.

Our panelists included Marc Fennell (SBS), Dave Chaou (ABC), Brooke Boney (Nine Network), Daniel Doody (Channel 10) and Sharnelle Vella (Seven).

We ended the event with a night of networking, sharing experiences and exchanging anecdotes. A perfect end to an exciting year!

23/12/202223/12/2022Newsletter

December 2022 Newsletter

Hello MDA supporters,

It’s been a huge year for MDA and we are grateful to all of you for supporting us through our growth journey. To round off the year we spotlight one of our 2022 Women of Colour mentees, Ruth Brook, who shares insights with us about her mentorship with journalist and author, Mibenge Nsenduluka. We are so thrilled to announce the first 6 winners of our 2023 Summer Fellowship program in partnership with Google News Initiative. We recently celebrated the end of a very successful year at the beautiful Canva space with our members, partners and friends. Introducing the Community Voices Melbourne class of 2022. Get to know another one of our Women of Colour mentees Madison Howarth mentored by the brilliant Director of Indigenous Content at NITV, Tanya Denning-Orman. As the year comes to a close, walk down memory lane with us as we list the impact we’ve had this year and donate now to help us continue our work towards diversifying the Australian media landscape. We have SO much more planned for next year so stay tuned and have yourselves a wonderful festive period!

In this issue:

Spotlight: MDA 2022 Women of Colour mentee, Ruth Brook, mentored by journalist & author, Mibenge Nsenduluka
MDA’s 2023 Summer Fellowships: Announcing our first 6 winners
MDA End of Year Event: Celebrating the end of a very successful year with our members, staff, industry partners and friends
Community Voices Melbourne: Celebrating the class of 2022
Get to know our program graduate: Hear from our Women of Colour mentee, Madison Howarth, who is mentored by Director of Indigenous content (NITV), Tanya Denning-Orman
Donation Campaign: Help us continue to have an impact, drive change & create a media landscape that truly looks and sounds like Australia
MDA 2022 Impact: Look back at the impact we’ve had this year as 2022 comes to a close

Spotlight: MDA 2022 Women of Colour mentee, Ruth Brook, mentored by journalist & author, Mibenge Nsenduluka

“

Sometimes it’s as simple as greeting someone at a networking event, you never know what’s on the other side of a hello.

– MDA Women of Colour mentee, Ruth Brook

”

You are halfway through your year long mentorship with journalist and author, Mibenge Nsenduluka - Can you tell us a bit about your experience so far?

Being mentored by Mibenge has been a wonderful experience. From our first session, she has been sincere, kind and always willing to listen and answer my questions. She has created a safe space for me to openly express myself without judgment, and that has been invaluable. We have bonded over shared experiences and I am continuing to learn from her vast knowledge of this industry. She has been more than a mentor, she has been a sounding board, a teacher and a friend.

What is one vital piece of information you have learned during your mentorship that you believe would be beneficial to you as your career progresses?

Through the mentorship program, I have truly learned the importance of staying true to myself and my values no matter the circumstance I am faced with. I approach opportunities from the standpoint of ‘Does this align with my values and what I would like to achieve in my career?’. Having those mental check-ins before approaching a situation has really helped me narrow my focus on the kind of work I would like to do and be a part of.

What is one piece of advice you can offer other young diverse journalists who are taking their first steps in the media industry?

The advice I would offer is to not be afraid to reach out to people in the media industry and ask for help or seek guidance. Sometimes we may think we’re inconveniencing someone or but, in my experience, when I have reached out, people have been more than happy to help and have directed me towards opportunities that have helped me further my career. Sometimes it’s as simple as greeting someone at a networking event, you never know what’s on the other side of a hello.

MDA’s 2023 Summer Fellowships: Announcing the first 6 winners!

MDA’s 2023 Summer Fellowships in partnership with Google News Initiative places 12 graduates in various mainstream media outlets nationwide. After careful deliberation and a thorough interview process carried out by our brilliant Director of Special Projects, Simone Amelia Jordan, in collaboration with the respective newsrooms, 12 journalism graduates have been matched with reputable newsrooms around Australia.

Congratulations to the deserving and driven winners of the 2023 Summer Fellowship program. We will be announcing the winners in two parts. The first half of our fellowship winners are as follows:

Abhranil Hazra (NSW) with The Guardian
Luca Ittimani (ACT) with Australian Financial Review
Rachel Green (WA) with 10 News First (Perth)
Jin Qian (NSW) with News Corp Australia
Manu Fabila-Hicks (QLD) with The Courier-Mail
Selina Zhang (VIC) with Channel 9News (Melbourne)

We are so proud of the winners and can’t wait to see them shaping the future of journalism.

Stay tuned for the second half of our 2023 Summer Fellowship program recipients!

MDA End of Year Event: Celebrating the end of a very successful year with our members, staff, industry partners and friends

On December 6th, Media Diversity Australia celebrated the end of an action-filled and successful year with our esteemed media members, brilliant advisory board, dedicated staff, state chapter representatives and industry partners at the wonderful Canva space located in the city.

Our panelists included Marc Fennell (SBS), Dave Chaou (ABC), Brooke Boney (Nine Network), Daniel Doody (Channel 10) and Sharnelle Vella (Seven).

We ended the event with a night of networking, sharing experiences and exchanging anecdotes. A perfect end to an exciting year!

Stay tuned to attend our upcoming events in 2023 – Follow MDA on Twitter, Linkedin, Facebook and Instagram!

Community Voices Melbourne: Celebrating the class of 2022

Celebrating the Community Voices class of 2022! The thirteen participants from Melbourne were acknowledged last week in a lovely gathering, surrounded by family, friends, and clued-in journalists keen to tap them for future stories.

If you want to know more or add them to your contact list, please message Andrea Ho or Jim Carroll via LinkedIn. Every one of these participants is already an achiever in their community, and they are now ready to speak in news media. We are so proud of them!

A big congratulations to:

Kimberly Mitchiko Clemencio
Emily Fioramonte
Daniel Haile-Michael
Bakr Hawari
Charmaine Hunzwi A FIN
Catherine J.
Dr Harpreet Singh Kandra
Akat Mayoum
Saarah Ozeer
Ruchika Rawat
Anaab Rooble MAICD
Sahema Saberi
Saththiyan Satchithanantham

Thanks to our co-founder Antoinette Lattouf for making a lively and inspiring keynote speech, and Jim Carroll for summing up their big year. And a heartfelt thanks to our project partners, Judith Neilson Institute and to everyone who contributed to this project as a speaker, presenter, support worker.

Get to know our program graduates: Hear from WOC mentee Madison Howarth, who is mentored by Director of Indigenous content (NITV), Tanya Denning-Orman

“

With more First Nations people and people of colour within the media, at all levels, we’re a step closer to reading and watching stories that more accurately reflect the true picture of this country.

–MDA’s 2022 Women of Colour mentee, Madison Howarth

”

What is your favourite part about working with your MDA Mentor?

My favourite part of working with my MDA Mentor is having someone with extensive experience to bounce ideas off and to turn to for support and encouragement. It can be daunting, in the early stages of your career, to come to a crossroads, so to have someone in your corner, offering advice, because they’ve been there, is really reassuring.

Outside of your Mentor, which First Nations or culturally and linguistically diverse women working in Australian media do you most admire, and why?

Outside of my Mentor, I really admire Brooke Boney. Brooke has had a truly impressive career so far, particularly in the last couple of years. I think she’s a stellar role model for young Blak women in media and I always love seeing her succeed.

What does Media Diversity Australia's mission mean to you?

Media Diversity Australia’s mission to advocate for the value of cultural diversity within Australian media aligns with the central reason I wanted to work in media in the first place. A lack of diversity in Australia’s media has led to the underrepresentation of diverse stories, particularly First Nations stories told genuinely and truthfully. With more First Nations people and people of colour within the media, at all levels, we’re a step closer to reading and watching stories that more accurately reflect the true picture of this country.

Donate Now: Help us continue to have an impact, drive change & create a media landscape that truly looks and sounds like Australia

2022 was an action filled year for MDA and we certainly could not have done it without our supporters! Walk down memory lane with us and reflect on the impact we’ve had this year. But we still have a long road ahead and we need your help to continue to champion diversity across the Australian media landscape in 2023 and beyond!

Help MDA continue to have impact and diversify our media landscape. Donate now!

MDA Impact: Look back at the impact we’ve had so far as 2022 comes to a close

2022 was a huge year for Media Diversity Australia, not only for our team but for our media members, state chapters and supporters who play a vital role in helping us champion diversity across the Australian media landscape.

As the year comes to a close, here are some highlights:

We launched our membership model and currently have 10 inaugural media members including ABC, SBS, Channel 10, Channel 9, Channel 7, The Daily Aus, The Guardian, The Conversation, AAP & a major media outlet yet to be announced!
Our Disability Reporting Handbook was downloaded over 5000 times
We held over 15 events and panels this year with over 1000 attendees in total
We released our biennial ‘Who Gets To Tell Australian Stories 2.0’ media report, which was downloaded over 950 times and counting!
We launched our TalentHub portal which connects diverse journalists and communications professionals with job opportunities and helps hirers find suitable candidates. Our portal currently consists of 140 talent listings and counting.
Launched the #ThingsIveHeard campaign which highlighted instances of casual discrimination towards minorities in media and unearthed 127 stories from diverse journalists and media professionals.
Delivered media training via community based programs (Community Voices & Amplifying Voices) to 26 trainees nationally.
Successfully ran 6 programs including Summer Fellowships, Political Fellowships, Women of Colour Mentorships, Chinese-Australian Journalism Secondments, Amplifying Voices and Community Voices. Our program graduates had a 80% employment conversion rate.

For more information on our programs and resources, visit our website.

Want to help create a media that looks and sounds like Australia?

About us

Media Diversity Australia (MDA) is a national not-for-profit organisation led by journalists and media professionals. Australia is culturally and linguistically diverse, and our media should be too. Established in 2017, MDA has a unique role as a champion of cultural diversity in Australian journalism and news media. We have a vision for a media industry with full and equal participation for culturally diverse people at all levels.

Get in touch:

30/11/202201/12/2022Newsletter

November 2022 Newsletter

Hi MDA supporters,

This month’s newsletter covers the latest media findings from our recently launched flagship biennial media report, Who Gets To Tell Australian Stories 2.0. We spotlight Brisbane radio producer Dr Eduardo Jordan, who scrutinises the discrimination of journalists with accents. Eduardo also chairs our QLD Chapter, which held a lively networking event last week. We chat with a mentee from our Women of Colour Mentorship, Alicia Vrajlal, and one of the program’s mentors, Cathy Wilcox, who shares insights from her monthly sessions. Lastly, MDA welcomes Lina Ali, our new Admin and Operations Coordinator, to the national team.

In this issue:

Spotlight: Executive Producer at The Wire radio show and MDA QLD Chapter Chair, Dr Eduardo Jordan, discusses the discrimination of journalists with an accent
New Report Released: Our latest media findings – Who Gets To Tell Australian Stories? 2.0
Get to know our program graduates: Hear from WOC mentee Alicia Vrajlal, who is mentored by the ABC’s Talent Manager, Paula Kruger
A new addition to our National Team: A warm welcome to our new Admin and Operations Coordinator, Lina Ali
Women Of Colour Mentorships: A heartwarming testimonial from mentor Cathy Wilcox
ABC & MDA QLD panel and networking event: Snaps from the event!

Spotlight: Executive Producer at The Wire and MDA QLD Chapter Chair, Dr Eduardo Jordan, discusses the discrimination of journalists with an accent

“

We need to understand and realise that, as a multicultural country, accents are here to stay, and this needs to be reflected everywhere.

– Executive Producer, The Wire & MDA QLD Chapter Chair , Dr Eduardo Jordan

”

Do you think a section of the audience discriminates against journalists with an accent in this country? If so, how does it affect the trajectory of their career?

I still believe there is a section of the audience discriminating against accents in Australia, but fortunately, that sector is becoming smaller. The audience realises accents are an essential part of multiculturalism and are becoming more accepting. However, this is not the case for most news editors in commercial media across Australia, who believe journalists should only have an ‘Australian’ accent to deliver the news. Yes, we are seeing more diversity in news and current affairs just on the looks of journalists, but still, accents are considered not Australian enough.

Having said this, I believe it’s the responsibility of editors and people in leadership positions to change this issue. It’s OK to showcase accents in a cooking reality show, but not in the news and current affairs. In theory, an accent should not affect a journalist’s career, but unfortunately, it does affect it in looking for jobs in commercial media, which is reflected in the newsrooms.

Can you share an anecdote from when you felt discriminated against due to your accent while working in the journalism industry?

At the beginning of my career, I attended a conversation with a senior editor who spoke with journalism students. He explained issues about radio journalism, and everything was well until I asked him a question. It was a simple question on tips to produce radio stories. He said, ‘I’ll give you tips, but I can tell you, you will not get very far on the radio because of your strong accent. Australian newsrooms don’t like accents.’ Interestingly, this news editor started his career in the same radio station I work for.

Accent discrimination has been described as an invisible source of social bias. What steps can audiences take to help stop/prevent linguistic discrimination?

We must accept that everyone has an accent; even Anglo-Saxon Australians have a strong accent. We need to understand and realise that, as a multicultural country, accents are here to stay, and this needs to be reflected everywhere. Editors and people in leadership positions need to realise that journalists with an accent can do the job of a journalist as well or better than an Anglo-Saxon Australian with a ‘regular’ accent.

Our readers include young journalists taking their first steps into the industry. As someone who has worked in the industry, what is one piece of advice you can offer them?

Be yourselves! Work hard, and the results will be noticed in your work. The accent will not be an issue when your work speaks for itself.

New Report Released: Our latest media findings - Who Gets To Tell Australian Stories? 2.0

Last week we released our flagship biennial research, ‘Who Gets To Tell Australian Stories 2.0’, a ‘report card’ on Indigenous and cultural diversity in television news, with insights into what has changed, what has stayed the same, and opportunities to lead the charge toward greater diversity.

Who Gets to Tell Australian Stories? 2.0 examines the Indigenous and cultural diversity of Australian news and current affairs television media – and asks – “Does Australian news and current affairs represent the society they serve?” given the latest Census data revealed Australia is more diverse than ever.

The findings show there is some way to go, with a serious need for media leaders to support meaningful and informed adjustments and interventions to build a more representative industry. It is also the first forensic examination of how our media treats cultural diversity at the workplace level.

The report has five studies and, through a combination of qualitative and quantitative data, details the experience and the extent of inclusion and representation of culturally diverse news and current affairs presenters and reporters.

Get to know our program graduates: Hear from WOC mentee Alicia Vrajlal, who is mentored by the ABC’s Talent Manager, Paula Kruger

“

What I love most about working with my MDA Mentor is that it’s an opportunity for me to speak in a safe space with someone who understands and won’t be judgmental about any qualms, concerns or issues I face as a woman of colour in the media landscape.

– MDA Women of Colour mentee, Alicia Vrajlal

”

What is your favourite part about working with your MDA Mentor?

What I love most about working with my MDA Mentor is that it’s an opportunity for me to speak in a safe space with someone who understands and won’t be judgmental about any qualms, concerns or issues I face as a woman of colour in the media landscape. As well as her giving me advice about tackling the harder things, we also have a space to celebrate the wins. Hearing my mentor say she gets just as much out of spending time with me as I do with her felt special and speaks of the power of mentorship programs like this, and I love how the mentor/mentee relationship has evolved in just a few months.

Outside of your Mentor, which First Nations or multicultural woman working in Australian media do you most admire, and why?

I have great admiration for fellow South Asian Australian journalist Sarah Malik. She has not only worked on serious investigative journalism but also shone in a space at SBS Voices that helps carve out a platform for other diverse voices to be heard. I also admire Future Women’s Jamila Rizvi, who always had time to chat with me back when I was an intern almost ten years ago (and still does). Of course, I greatly respect Antoinette Lattouf, who co-founded Media Diversity Australia.

What does Media Diversity Australia's mission mean to you?

Media Diversity Australia’s mission means helping create an Australian media landscape that looks, feels and sounds like the diverse and multicultural Australia it is. It’s about allowing people with diverse lived experiences to be heard through quality journalism and media coverage – whether by working in the media or being included in narratives as consultants or interviewees.

Read Alicia Vrjlal’s latest article – ‘You Can’t Be What You Can’t See’: What Sarah Abo’s Today Show Role Means For Arab Women in Australia.

A new addition to our National Team: A warm welcome to our new Admin and Operations Coordinator, Lina Ali

As the scope of our work grows, so does our team!

We are introducing the newest addition to Media Diversity Australia’s national team, our Admin and Operations Coordinator, Lina Ali.

Lina Ali is a Muslim Indian-Australian emerging writer from Parramatta, NSW, who loves all things written and media. Currently, she is studying for a double degree, majoring in English Literature and Politics, and completing a Bachelor of Islamic Studies part-time. In March 2022, Lina was awarded as a Highly Commended recipient of the All About Women of Colour Mentorship Program. As a part of this program, she received editorial guidance and mentorship from Randa Abdel-Fattah and Sweatshop’s Winnie Dunn. Lina’s short story ‘Shaking Hands Suffocate‘ was published on the Sydney Opera House Website.

Lina also received an internship to work as an SBS Diversity and Inclusion Research Assistant and as a Voices writer through the 2022 Createability Internship program, which is a partnership between Create NSW and Accessible Arts and a range of NSW-based arts, screen and cultural organisations, to develop strong career pathways for people with disability.

You can find Lina’s by-lines across reputable platforms such as the ABC, SBS Voices and Meanjin Quarterly. Most recently, she published ‘As a neurodiverse woman, small talk and networking are a nightmare‘ with SBS Voices.

We are thrilled to welcome you to the team, Lina!

Women of Colour Mentorships: A heart-warming testimonial from Mentor Cathy Wilcox

Our year-long Women of Colour mentorships are well underway. As our mentees’ progress in their professional careers, their interactions with their mentors have been mutually beneficial.

Here’s a poignant testimonial from Cathy Wilcox (Cartoonist, SMH/The Age), who is mentoring Famida Rahman:

“I’m enjoying my chats with Famida. They’ve become less specifically career-directed; she’s between pursuing the professional career she’s highly qualified for and finding ways to bring creativity into her life. She seems to be finding a balance in these things, even while her career options are wide open.

What’s interesting for me (and I hope useful for her) is exploring the parallels we find between her particular cultural background and how she forms her identity, and the process of becoming an adult (in any culture), learning to define yourself on your terms and find your voice.

I’ve thought a great deal about identity in many aspects, and seeking to understand ourselves is vital for determining our life’s priorities.”

MDA & ABC QLD panel and networking event: Snaps from the event!

Last week, Media Diversity Australia, in partnership with our media partner the ABC held a panel and networking event at ABC South Brisbane.

The informative panel titled Newsroom Nuances – Reporting on diverse communities was moderated by Dr Eduardo Jordan with a fantastic lineup of panellists including Visual Storyteller at ABC News, Lillian Rangiah; ABC Asia-Pacific Newsroom journalist Melissa Maykin; CEO of Islamic College Brisbane and multicultural champion, Ali Kadri; author, public speaker and our QLD Chapter Disability Affairs Officer, Lisa Cox.

We thank our QLD chapter and our gracious hosts, ABC Brisbane and Griffith University for running this panel and networking event.

Since its launch in 2017, MDA has introduced state-based chapters in NSW, VIC, QLD and ACT. Stay tuned for upcoming chapter events in the coming year. We will see you there!

Want to help create a media that looks and sounds like Australia?

About us

Get in touch:

26/10/202231/10/2022Newsletter

October 2022 Newsletter

Hi MDA readers,

Our year-long Women of Colour (WOC) mentorships have almost hit the halfway mark! This month we’re spotlighting the success of one mentee, Pranjali Sehgal, who secured a Digital Video Producer role at SBS during her mentorship with 9 News Melbourne journalist Shuba Krishnan. We also get to know another mentee, Angelique Lu, who shares insights from her sessions with her mentor, Bernadine Lim, Commissioning Editor, Documentaries (SBS). We have kicked off our third annual Summer Fellowships with Google News Initiative. Entries are open to First Nations and multicultural final-year and graduate students interested in a media career, with seasonal placements at outlets like ABC, The Guardian, AAP and Channels 7, 9 and 10. MDA is also thrilled to introduce our new industry membership model, where we invite media companies, educational institutes and industry partners to embrace the storytelling power of Australia’s diverse cultural landscape. We also call on diverse journalists and media professionals who have faced online harassment or violence to complete this short, anonymous research survey about tackling the online safety of diverse journalists. We’re sending a big congratulations to the three winners of our inaugural Chinese-Australian Journalism Secondment program, who have already started making a splash in the media. And finally, senior travel and lifestyle editor Sudeshna Ghosh explores the state of play in Australia’s travel content landscape, questioning the absence of diverse voices.

In this issue:

Spotlight: Women of Colour mentee Pranjali Sehgal landed a role working as a Digital Video Producer at SBS during her mentorship with journalist Shuba Krishnan
Entries are open for MDA’s Summer Fellowships 2023: Calling for expressions of interest from final-year and graduate university/TAFE students interested in a media career
Introducing our new industry membership model: Inviting media companies, educational institutes and industry partners to embrace the storytelling power of Australia’s diverse cultural landscape
Calling all diverse journalists from minority communities – we need your help: Please fill in this anonymous research survey about tackling the online safety of diverse journalists
Get to know our Women of Colour mentees: Hear from our second mentee, Angelique Lu, mentored by Bernadine Lim, Commissioning Editor, Documentaries (SBS)
Chinese – Australian Journalism Secondments: Congratulations to our three secondment winners!
Why is Australian travel media lacking in diversity?: Senior travel and lifestyle editor, Sudeshna Ghosh explores the state of play in Australia’s travel content landscape, questioning the absence of diverse voices
Upcoming MDA Events: Save the date!

Spotlight: Women of Colour mentee Pranjali Sehgal landed a role working as a Digital Video Producer at SBS during her mentorship with journalist Shuba Krishnan

“

I’ve always read mentorships can be transformative, but it is only when I reflect on the month leading up to the job offer do I see an undeniable change and the definite influence of my mentorship on my behaviour.

– MDA Women of Colour mentee & Digital Video Producer at SBS, Pranjali Sehgal

”

“Over the past few months, I’ve had the opportunity to be mentored by incredible the Shuba Krishnan through Media Diversity Australia’s Women of Colour program, and it is safe to say the experience has been remarkable – it even helped me to land a new gig at SBS News as a Digital Video Producer last month! I’ve always read mentorships can be transformative. Still, it is only when I reflect on the month leading up to the job offer do I see an undeniable change and the definite influence of my mentorship on my behaviour. The shift is in the small things, which then ripples to create a big shift.

When I had my first conversation with Shuba, I had just come out of my gig at ABC News and was on the hunt to get back in the newsroom. I remember we spoke of the immense value of networking in media and the best ways to do it authentically. We also spoke of the power of being proactive. We dived into her experiences as a young grad determined to be a journalist who seized opportunities for everything they were worth and even created some when there weren’t any. We spoke of the skills I wanted to develop, the attributes I perceived to be my strengths and what direction I’m treading to grow in. It is rare to find a mentor who not only started their career in a similar position to yourself and achieved success but who is also genuinely willing to share their experience – the successes, the failures, the hows, and the whys – so transparently with your development as a mentee in mind. And then to have that mentor also be a woman of colour who understands the nuances of how I may perceive, engage with or navigate things and has crossed the paths I want to be walking is transformational.

In about a month following that initial conversation, I landed an interview at SBS News (proactively) and remember buzzing Shuba as I prepped for the day. As a now-former SBS journalist and an experienced woman of colour in the industry, Shuba’s insights were monumental in how I approached the interview and the opportunity. Throughout the entire process, she was always down for a chat and ready to lend a friendly hand or a piece of advice if I needed it. The mentorship has unquestionably made me more aware and confident in what I have to offer. It has helped me recognise the things I want to develop, which helped me succeed in the interview and now guides me as I build my way forward in the new role. And even though I’m only a few months into the mentorship, I am far from when I started and can’t wait for what comes ahead.”

Entries are open for MDA’s Summer Fellowships 2023: Calling for expressions of interest from final-year and graduate university/TAFE students interested in a media career

Media Diversity Australia is calling for expressions of interest from students in their final year or graduates who have completed a media /communications degree OR have experience in a news-related role (e.g. a student newspaper) and are keen to get industry experience at a mainstream media outlet over the summer break.

The project aims to place 12 final-year students or recent graduates in 12 different mainstream media outlets nationwide.

Our host newsrooms include:

ACT (Press Gallery)

Fairfax Media (The Age/Sydney Morning Herald), Australian Financial Review, ABC News Politics

NSW

The Guardian, Newscorp

VIC

AAP, Channel 9 News

QLD

The Courier-Mail, SCA Radio

10 News First Perth, Channel 7 News/ The West Australian

ABC Sports

Applications close at 5 pm AEST on Friday, 11 November. Successful candidates will be announced in early December after an interview process.

Any questions regarding the Summer Fellowship can be sent to MDA’s Director Of Special Projects, Simone Jordan: simone@mediadiversityaustralia.org

For more information on our 2023 Summer Fellowships, visit our website:

Introducing our new industry membership model: Inviting media companies, educational institutes and industry partners to embrace the storytelling power of Australia’s diverse cultural landscape

“

“Not only does MDA add and change the direction of discourse in our industry for the better, but they implement systemic changes that will benefit the future of media and the future of so many young journalists.”

–Head of Digital News & Strategy Network Ten, Rashell Habib

”

As the nation’s most recognised advocacy body for cultural diversity and representation in media, MDA helps drive impactful change to ensure that the Australian media landscape looks and sounds more like Australia.

With a track record of driving systemic change and creating pathways, we are pleased to offer our diversity, equity, and inclusion expertise through our MDA Membership.

MDA’s bespoke membership program is for companies working across print, broadcast, digital, and everything in between. We empower members through our strategic insights and frameworks and translate our research and advocacy into practical, actionable, and genuine steps towards greater diversity and representation.

Member organisations benefit from MDA’s expert directory and TalentHub, strategic insights and frameworks to help enrich the mix of faces and voices Australians hear, see and read daily.

Our current members include ABC, AAP, The Guardian, The Daily Aus, SBS, Channel 9, Channel 10, and Channel 7. Welcome to our inaugural members!

Keen to become a member today? Email us at membership@mediadiversityaustralia.org

For more information on our membership model, visit our website:

Calling all diverse journalists from minority communities - we need your help: Please fill in this anonymous research survey about tackling the online safety of diverse journalists

Media Diversity Australia, in collaboration with Macquarie University and Griffith University, is conducting the first-ever research survey on diverse journalists’ online safety to better understand the extent of online safety and harassment issues in Australia.

Our survey aims to address three main issues:

Online safety experiences of minority journalist groups online
The personal and professional impact of trolling and abuse,
The role social media platforms and employers play and where they fall short.

So, if you or anyone you know is a diverse journalist or media professional who has endured any form of online harassment, abuse and violence, we’d love to hear from you!

Take this anonymous five-minute survey NOW

Get to know our Women of Colour mentees: Hear from our second mentee, Angelique Lu, mentored by Bernadine Lim, Commissioning Editor, Documentaries (SBS)

“

One of the reasons I became a journalist was that I wanted to hear more stories about the people I grew up with. Ordinary people who had their backstories and histories who might otherwise be overlooked.

–MDA’s 2022 Women of Colour mentee, Angelique Lu

”

What have you enjoyed most about being part of this 12 month mentorship program?

I’m enjoying the insights and perspectives I’m gaining from our chats to help me shape and create my career path and decision-making.

Outside of your Mentor, which First Nations or culturally and linguistically diverse women working in Australian media do you most admire, and why?

Lee Lin Chin is one of my journalism heroes. She was the first Asian woman I saw on television that wasn’t on a reality cooking show. I love her accent, the way she commanded authority when she read the news, and of course, her fierce outfits.

What does Media Diversity Australia's mission mean to you?

One of the reasons I became a journalist was that I wanted to hear more stories about the people I grew up with. Ordinary people who had their backstories and histories who might otherwise be overlooked. Media Diversity Australia gives me hope that more of these stories will be heard and covered.

Chinese - Australian Journalism Secondments: Congratulations to our three secondment winners!

We are pleased to announce the three Chinese- Australian Journalism Secondment winners who have recently commenced their eight-week program at mainstream newsrooms!

Minyue Ding

Placement: The Age

“Media Diversity Australia means a chance for me to be seen. It means I can have an opportunity in this industry as a foreigner. And it also means that I can be the voice for people who share the same background as me.”

Jenny Tang

Placement: ABC Asia Pacific

I believe Media Diversity Australia’s mission mirrors the Australian society we’re living in currently. MDA plays a unique but pivotal role in championing cultural diversity in Australian media, and this is a true reflection of society and the world in 2022.”

Yimin Qiang

Placement: ABC Asia Pacific

“Media Diversity Australia’s mission means increasing diversity in the mainstream newsroom and interviewing subjects on stories relevant to the diverse Chinese-Australian communities. In the end, it’s about people, letting people from diverse backgrounds be heard and building better relations between Chinese communities, community media and mainstream media outlets.”

A big congratulations to our secondees, we are so excited to see you pave the path of journalism, accurately represent your communities and help us create a media landscape that looks and sounds like Australia.

Why is Australian travel media lacking in diversity?: Senior travel & lifestyle editor Sudeshna Ghosh explores the state of play in Australia’s travel content landscape, questioning the absence of diverse voices

“

…the demographic of the average traveller has changed in the past century. You don’t need me to tell you that Australian society is more multicultural than ever, and consequently, so is the average Australian traveller. And yet, the voices in travel content in the Australian media landscape are still overwhelmingly lacking in cultural diversity.

–Sudeshna Ghosh, Senior travel and lifestyle editor

”

It was a line in a column by a well-known travel writer in one of Australia’s leading national travel publications that brought things to a head (in my head). I can’t remember the exact story (I think it might have had something to do with hotel buffets). Still, the statement “anywhere in the civilised world” – clearly referencing the western world – rankled.

The underlying implication is that other regions, such as Asia, which are big on tourism but are home to many developing nations, are… wait, uncivilised?

What exactly is the definition of civilisation here? Are we ignoring the thousands of years-old civilisations of, say, Thailand or Vietnam, or is it perhaps the oldest civilisation in the world in the Indian subcontinent that we are overlooking in this sweeping statement?

Don’t get me wrong, the actual column was well-intentioned, and the writer and publication are both ones I personally respect. It was most likely a passing statement that would have been the default language for the writer.

And that’s where the problem lies. It is no one individual’s fault. It’s the ongoing stereotyping that, like every other media beat, travel content has also fallen victim to – largely thanks to the unilateral perspective it usually offers.

Modern travel, for leisure, is irrefutably a pursuit of the privileged, and perhaps that is why (English language) travel writing has almost always been from the perspective of a white traveller. A phenomenon that often ends up reinforcing colonial tropes.

But the demographic of the average traveller has changed in the past century. You don’t need me to tell you that Australian society is more multicultural than ever, and consequently, so is the average Australian traveller. And yet, the voices in travel content in the Australian media landscape are still overwhelmingly lacking in cultural diversity.

According to TravMedia, the country’s largest travel media community, there are around 950 full-time travel writers in Australia, and upwards of 2000 who dabble in travel writing across freelance and in-house editorial positions. Nick Wayland, the founder of TravMedia, estimates that around 80 per cent of this cohort is white Anglo-Saxon.

While it’s not easy to get hard stats for this kind of information, anecdotally, the membership at the Australian Society of Travel Writers, reflects an even higher ratio when it comes to persons of colour. Need more proof? You need only look at the bylines in most Australian travel publications.

Our national appetite for travel is higher than the global average, and in 2022, over 70 per cent of Australians are planning to travel* – as pent-up demand explodes. According to YouGov, over a third of Australian consumers make travel decisions influenced by what they read in the media. That is a lot of people who are making decisions informed by the view through a fairly narrow lens.

One element of travel content in Australia I am particularly concerned about is the glaring absence of indigenous voices – especially now that indigenous tourism is (finally) becoming more mainstream, and we are getting a bit more exposure to this incredibly rich culture. Wouldn’t it be nice – and truly authentic – to have someone with an innate understanding of this culture tell us the story, rather than yet another write-up on a ‘dreaming tour’ that smacks of otherness?

I don’t believe that anyone is intentionally not being inclusive in their approach, it’s a widespread obliviousness to the issue more than anything else.

I also want to state that most of the mainstream travel writers I have encountered throughout my career are among the most open-minded, curious and ‘woke’ people around. It would be hard to do this job without those qualities. But that still doesn’t change the fact that the lived experiences of people from diverse backgrounds would be different, which alone can bring a whole other layer to the content.

Overseas, the change is already taking place – slowly, but surely. Australian media still seems a bit behind the eight ball, and the change needs to happen through the ranks.

Remember that iconic 1980’s Tourism Australia ‘shrimp on the barbie’ ad? While aimed at inbound tourists, it helped define Australia and its people in the context of travel for generations. Perhaps it’s time to update it to add some ‘tandoori or satay chicken’ on the barbie?

*Various sources including data from Newscorp, Nine and Savvy.com.au

Upcoming MDA Events - Save the date!

MDA’s Who Gets to Tell Australian Stories 2.0 Research Launch – Tuesday, 22nd November 2022
Queensland Chapter Networking event & panel – Wednesday, 23rd November 2022
End of Year event hosted at Canva (MDA members & partners) – Tuesday, 6th December 2022
Media Industry Roundtable hosted at SBS by Minister Michelle Rowland (MDA members) – Late Feb 2023

Save the date in your calendar and stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks!

Want to help create a media that looks and sounds like Australia?

About us

Get in touch:

10/10/202210/10/2022Events

Bloomberg and MDA Panel & Networking Event

Events

Bloomberg and MDA Panel & Networking Event

14 September 2022

A lively panel discussion and networking evening hosted by Media Diversity Australia & Bloomberg Australia on the evolving nature of journalism against the backdrop of the pandemic.

The panel and networking event “Journalism careers during a pandemic – has journalism changed forever?” was the first activity of the year in 2022 for MDA’s NSW chapter.