Author: mediadiv
ACT Chapter Launch
ACT Chapter Launch
27 September 2022
MDA has state chapters across NSW, VIC, QLD and ACT. Our members consist of journalists and/or media professionals who mirror MDA’s vision and are passionate about creating long lasting impact when it comes to diversifying the media landscape.
The ACT launch was hosted by the Hon Andrew Giles MP, Minister for Multiculturalism (representing Minister Michelle Rowland). Minister Giles deliverd a keynote speech, followed by a panel discussion moderated by MDA’s CEO, Mariam Veiszadeh and led by some of Canberra’s finest journalists.
Moderator: Mariam Veiszadeh (CEO of Media Diversity Australia)
Panellists:
- Nour Haydar (Political Reporter ABC)
- Dr Liz Allen (Demographer & Lecturer ANU)
- Philip Coorey (Political Editor AFR)
- Julia Kanapathippillai (Reporter Canberra Star News Corp)
September 2022 Newsletter
Hi MDA supporters,
In this month’s newsletter we put the spotlight on award-winning investigative journalist and author of ‘Desi Girl’, Sarah Malik. We are thrilled to launch our TalentHub portal which connects diverse journalists and communications professionals with media employers. Speaking of launching, join our upcoming ACT Chapter launch hosted by the Hon Multicultural Minister Andrew Giles MP on Tuesday, 27 September at 6pm and hear from some of Canberra’s finest journalists. As the scope of MDA’s work grows, so does our team! We welcome the newest addition to our national team, Madlen Toumbourou, as she takes on the role of Growth and Development Manager. Our year long Women of Colour mentorships are well underway, get to know our first mentee, Nehal Dalgliesh as she shares insights from her mentoring sessions with broadcaster, author and co-founder of MDA, Antoinette Lattouf. We’ve partnered with RMIT to host a panel discussion chaired by ABC RN Breakfast host Patricia Karvelas to discuss industry challenges, diversity and the future of journalism. And finally, journalist and disability advocate Eliza Hull and best-selling children’s author Sally Rippin have released a ground-breaking picture book, Come Over to My House that celebrates the home-lives of Deaf and disabled families.
In this issue:
- Spotlight: Award-winning Australian investigative journalist and author of ‘Desi Girl’, Sarah Malik
- Launching our TalentHub: A portal connecting diverse journalists and communications professionals with media employers
- ACT Chapter Launch: We are expanding to the ACT! Our launch event is hosted by the Hon Multicultural Minister Andrew Giles MP featuring a panel discussion featuring some of Canberra’s finest journalists
- New addition to MDA’s national team: A warm welcome to our new Growth and Development Manager, Madlen Toumbourou
- Get to know our Women of Colour mentees: Hear from our first mentee, Nehal Dalgliesh mentored by journalist, author and co-founder of MDA, Antoinette Lattouf
- MDA & RMIT Event: Journalism: So you want to be a Journalist? panel
- Come Over to My House written by journalist & disability advocate Eliza Hull and best-selling children’s author Sally Rippin: A ground-breaking picture book that celebrates the home-lives of Deaf and disabled families
Spotlight: Award-winning Australian investigative journalist and author of ‘Desi Girl’, Sarah Malik
What is more important to me is representation and equality, of ensuring there are not only 10 interns of colour, but that there are also behind the scenes leaders of colour in media and arts organisations changing culture at the highest level and involved in decision making and in the highest pay brackets.
–Investigative journalist & author of Desi Girl, Sarah Malik
Your book Desi Girl explores the power of writing from the margins and outlines the complexities of living between different worlds. Can you tell us a bit about your book?
This book is a collection of memoir stories about everything from learning to ocean swim as an adult, uncovering family’s past, about my relationship with travel, reading, work, money, therapy, wellness, loving Jane Austen, buying a first home, language, moving out of home, and figuring out my identity as someone whose parent were immigrants.
Race and feminism are the lens with which I view the world, so a lot of these everyday stories are told through the lens – what does it mean to be a particular kind of person navigating certain spaces, told with a lot of humour and love. Immigration, gender and race are all themes that have animated me in my work and journalism. To explore how they have shaped my own life and turn that gaze on myself was the next step from writing about other people.
Desi girl accurately depicts the feeling of being the only person of colour in the room and the obvious lack of diversity in the media industry. Do you think this is changing? What steps need to be taken to ensure that our media is reflective of its audience?
At a core level the book is about searching for yourself and finding yourself and I think it will resonate with any person who is trying to do that whatever background you are from. For me it was accelerated by being a young Muslim woman in a post 9/11 world, where who are you suddenly is in the media spotlight in really grotesque and caricatured ways; and that almost forced a process of inward reflection that was a gift in a way.
I loved storytelling but often the politics of the newsroom embodied the very inequalities we were trying to highlight – from class, gender and race.
Recently, I feel like Diversity and Inclusion have been co-opted, highly corporatized, liability-saving terms devoid of their original meaning; creating an industry where those who profit from it are sometimes white people and people of colour serve as talent or tokenistic faces. What is more important to me is representation and equality, of ensuring there are not only 10 interns of colour, but that there are also behind the scenes leaders of colour in media and arts organisations changing culture at the highest level and involved in decision making and in the highest pay brackets.Change does not happen gracefully but forcibly and it’s important that the needle keeps shifting so change is not surface level but structural.
Our readers include young diverse journalists taking their first steps into the media industry. - As someone who has worked in the industry, what is one piece of advice you can offer them?
This book is about finding yourself and knowing that the things that make you different are not liabilities, they can be strengths and the source of your greatest power. Sometimes when you are made to feel inferior or excluded because of your difference, you are forced to go through windows, explore the roof and the attic and the basements; it gives you a perspective that others don’t always have and that is valuable. I want young journalists of colour to know that if you are finding it challenging, progressing or even getting started, don’t gaslight or berate yourself.
I hope that my contribution opens the space for different kinds of stories to occupy the mainstream and it normalises them and makes people feel seen and it also interrogates the way in which we inhabit space is impacted by who we are and makes that more explicit. I had this huge fear that by talking about some of my negative experiences in the media would jeopardise my career opportunities, and I would be seen as a whinger? Particularly looking at my interaction with white liberal progressives/spaces where racism plays out in much more subtle ways; where you are easily replaced by a more amenable person of colour that can paper over racial dynamics in the workplace, if you complain too loudly. I think so many of us silence ourselves out of fear. But naming those experiences is so powerful because you realise there are common threads with others and you start to see a pattern emerge that is bigger than you as an individual. I think making that discrimination invisible that is exactly how the status quo continues. Change is uncomfortable but it begins by sharing our stories and by claiming space. It’s not always an equal playing field and we need to identify these things to make structural changes to ensure our work spaces are more inclusive.
Sarah Malik is the author of the memoir Desi Girl: On feminism, race, faith and belonging (UQP)
Here is the booktopia link for Desi Girl
Introducing our TalentHub, a first of its kind, growing pool of diverse talent with multi-level media expertise. MDA’s TalentHub connects diverse journalists and communications professionals with job opportunities and helps hirers find suitable candidates.
Are you interested in seeking opportunities in the Media industry? Register in our Talent Hub NOW!
For more information on our TalentHub visit MDA’s website:
ACT Chapter Launch: The Hon Multiculturalism Minister Andrew Giles MP (representing Communications Minister Michelle Rowland) will be officially launching our latest state chapter in the ACT
Since Media Diversity Australia’s launch in 2017, we have introduced state-based chapters in NSW, VIC and QLD. We are pleased to be expanding to the ACT where our ACT Chapter will be run by local journalists, key policy makers and media and communications professionals!
The ACT launch will be hosted by Hon Andrew Giles MP, Minister for Multiculturalism who will also deliver a keynote speech, followed by a panel discussion led by some of Canberra’s finest journalists and commentators including Nour Haydar (ABC), Julia Kanapathippillai (Canberra Star, News Corp), Dr Liz Allen (ANU & Phillip Coorey (AFR).
This must-attend event will be held on Tuesday, 27 September at 6pm at the Australian National University in Canberra.
Get a chance to meet our CEO, Mariam Veiszadeh and hear about MDA’s exciting new membership offering for media, educational and industry partners.
This free event is open to current and aspiring journalists from across commercial, public broadcasting and community/ethnic media, as well as media academics, industry partners and key policy makers.
Want to attend MDA’s ACT launch?
New addition to MDA’s national team: A warm welcome to our new Growth and Development Manager, Madlen Toumbourou
As the scope of our work grows, so does our team!
Introducing the newest addition to MDA’s national team our Growth and Development Manager, Madlen Toumbourou.
Madlen is a dynamic leader, strategist, storyteller, and project manager in the not-for-profit sector.
With a background in Psychology, Business Development, and Operations Management, Madlen’s breadth of experience includes supporting individuals on their mental health recovery journey, to building thriving team culture, to management of national tenders. She’s also an award-winning chef.
She’s known for bringing diverse stakeholders together to tackle complex challenges, and using structure to help enliven solution-focussed thinking.
We are delighted to welcome you to the team Madlen!
Get to know our Women of Colour mentees: Hear from our first mentee, Nehal Dalgliesh mentored by broadcaster, author and co-founder of MDA, Antoinette Lattouf
MDA is ensuring our voices are heard and our perspectives are shared
–MDA’s 2022 Women of Colour mentee, Nehal Dalgliesh
What have you enjoyed most about being part of this 12 month mentorship program?
My favourite part about working with Antoinette is seeing how her incredible mind works. There’s a reason she can conquer a million things at once: she’s indomitable, confident, understands that being uncomfortable is the only path to growth, has a knack for taking something that may seem insurmountable and breaking it down so it’s completely achievable… and she’s super organised!
Outside of your Mentor, which First Nations or culturally and linguistically diverse women working in Australian media do you most admire, and why?
There are so many multicultural women in the Australian media I admire, but the one who has always stood out to me is Yumi Stynes. Long before most of us were talking about diversity, Yumi was breaking barriers in the media landscape. She knows exactly who she is and what she believes in. She is always herself and doesn’t try to fit in with any expectations of who she should be. I love her fearlessness and her resilience, and having worked with her briefly, I know first hand that she has an incredibly kind spirit.
What does Media Diversity Australia's mission mean to you?
I’ve always been one of only a handful of women of colour in the room, sometimes the entire network. But MDA is changing that. They’re creating opportunities, a sense of community and support. They’re ensuring our voices are heard and our perspectives are shared. How amazing that generations of people will grow up with diversity being the norm rather than the exception?
MDA & RMIT Event: Journalism: So you want to be a Journalist? panel
So, you want to be a journalist? Challenges, diversity, and the future — Panel event
We’ve partnered with RMIT to host a lively panel discussion chaired by ABC RN Breakfast host (and RMIT Journalism alumni) Patricia Karvelas to discuss industry challenges, diversity and the future of journalism.
The panelists include award-winning journalist currently working as the social affairs and inequality editor at Guardian Australia, Luke Henriques-Gomes; co-chair of MDA’s Victoria Chapter Zena Chamas, who is also a journalist, filmmaker and documentary producer plus Melbourne-based writer and frequent commentator on Australian politics and media, Tim Dulop.
‘Come Over to My House’ by journalist & disability advocate Eliza Hull and best-selling children’s author Sally Rippin: A ground-breaking picture book that celebrates the home-lives of Deaf and disabled families
Journalist & Disability advocate Eliza Hull and best-selling children’s author Sally Rippin have together created Come Over to My House, a joyful and inclusive story that features positive representations of families with a variety of disabilities, and all the ways their homes have been adapted to be more accessible and fun!
Come Over to My House features a family with dwarfism, an Autistic father and child, a mother who is blind and more, the book uses delightful rhyming text and stunning illustrations to follow each child through their home.
The purpose of the book is to spotlight positive and authentic representation of families that are disabled, and illustrated with joy and energy by Daniel Gray-Barnett. Both Eliza and Sally hope that disabled young people and families see themselves represented within its pages, sending a powerful message of inclusion.
The poignant children’s book, Come Over to My House is a must-read for families, and is available online and in all good bookstores.
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
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:
- Social Media & Communications Producer: Nayonika Roychoudhury
- Email: comms@mediadiversityaustralia.org
August 2022 Newsletter
Hello MDA supporters,
This month, we’re spotlighting Rachel Evans, our ABC Everyday 2021 summer intern, who’s recently started working as an editor at a youth culture magazine Complex Australia. RSVP now if you’d like to attend our upcoming panel and networking events in Melbourne on 30th August at 6pm, and in Sydney on 14th September at 6 pm, where you can meet like-minded people and talk about all things media and communications. We’re also backing a pledge by Commsgrad, an EdTech platform, to help improve diversity of voice in the communications industry by 2030. And we celebrate four young media professionals who’ve come through MDA’s various programs and are making an impact in the media landscape. Speaking of connecting, MDA has some exciting news to share so stay tuned for our announcement about MDA’s new membership model and TalentHub offering!
In this issue:
- Spotlight on: Rachel Evans, MDA 2021 Summer intern at ABC Everyday
- Victoria Networking Event: Tuesday, 30th August at 6pm It’s not too late to RSVP!
- MDA & Bloomberg NSW Panel & Networking event: Wednesday, 14th September at 6pm, RSVP NOW
- EdTech platform industry pledge backed by MDA: To help improve diversity of voice in the communications industry by 2030
- MDA Chapter members achievements: Showcasing our own Kamin Gock and Farid Farid
- MDA Impact: We are very proud of two of our MDA graduates who’ve secured their first gigs in the industry
- MDA Announcement coming soon: Stay tuned!
Spotlight on: Rachel Evans, MDA 2021 Summer intern at ABC Everyday
As young, ethnically diverse journalists – there are many, many reasons we might harbour certain doubts about ourselves and our ability to succeed in this industry. It’s okay to have and hold these doubts – but do not let them stop you.
– MDA’s 2021 summer intern at ABC Everyday, Rachel Evans
You were one of MDA's 2021 Summer Interns - Can you tell us a bit about your time at ABC Everyday? What is one piece of advice you can offer other young diverse journalists who are taking their first steps in the industry?
My time at ABC Everyday completely changed the trajectory of my career – it was an incredible experience. I had very little industry experience prior to my internship, and I grew so much in skill and confidence in my time there.
My one piece of advice to young, diverse journalists would simply be to “be in the running”; it’s advice I took from NYTimes journalist Bella Kwai. I almost didn’t apply for the internship, because I truly didn’t think I had any chance of getting it, but in a cliché kind of way I thought of her words – “just be in the running,” even if only for practice’s sake.
As young, ethnically diverse journalists – there are many, many reasons we might harbour certain doubts about ourselves and our ability to succeed in this industry. It’s okay to have and hold these doubts – but do not let them stop you. Cast them aside, apply anyway, and just be in the practice of being in the running – you never know who’s on the other end. This industry can feel impenetrable at times, but it only takes one co-sign to get you in the door. Don’t give up!
Following the internship, tell us a bit about your career progression.
Following the internship, I went on to work as a casual social media producer for ABC Melbourne, and later had the opportunity to re-join the wonderful team at ABC Everyday as a reporter. I also became a contributor for youth culture magazine Complex Australia, and in June was offered the role of Editor at Complex Australia – which is the role I’m currently in. It has been a whirlwind 7 months!
Can you tell us a bit about your experience with Media Diversity Australia and what its mission means to you?
My experience with MDA has been life-changing. From the initial stages of applying for my internship, to during my internship and post-internship – the MDA team have cheered me on and supported me. The team took a chance on me when I didn’t have much experience as a journalist, and their confidence in me has meant so much, and made me feel emboldened. In terms of MDA’s mission and vision – that of creating a media industry with full and equal participation for culturally diverse people at all levels – it’s something that I strive to live out in my own career. As someone now responsible for overseeing editorial, it is of utmost importance to me that I champion and prioritise the exposure and development of diverse, young journalists.
MDA’s vision to champion cultural diversity in Australian news and media means helping aspiring journalists get their foot in the door and provide support, so young POC can stay in the industry and wield influence. It means challenging the status quo to dramatically change Australia’s media landscape for the better. It means listening to and actively addressing the concerns of an ever-growing demographic of Australians, and advocating for equal participation for all.
It’s not too late to RSVP – Join Media Diversity Australia and our Victorian chapter committee for a night of networking, drinks, and more!
Get a chance to meet and mingle with our CEO, Mariam Veiszadeh and our co-founder, Antoinette Lattouf, along with MDA’s Victoria chapter members and various media representatives.
Date: Tuesday, 30th August 2022
Time: 6pm
Location: Garden State Hotel, 101 Flinders Lane Melbourne.
Want to attend the networking event? RSVP NOW at vic@mediadiversityaustralia.org
MDA & Bloomberg NSW Panel & Networking event: Wednesday, 14th September at 6pm, RSVP NOW
Media Diversity Australia (NSW Chapter) & Bloomberg Australia would like to cordially invite you to a lively panel discussion on the evolving nature of journalism against the backdrop of the pandemic on Wednesday, 14th September at 6pm.
The panel and networking event Journalism careers during a pandemic – has journalism changed forever? is the first activity of the year for MDA’s NSW chapter which has seen new faces join our organisation.
Panel Moderator: Ainslie Chandler, Sydney Bureau Chief Bloomberg
Panelists
- Gavin Fang Deputy Director, Head National and International & Diversity Lead, ABC
- Tanya Orman Denning, Director of Indigenous Content, NITV
- Georgina McKay, Journalist, Bloomberg
- Amber Schultz, Editor, Crikey Associate
- Kevin Nguyen, Investigative Journalist ABC & MDA NSW Chapter
Want to attend this event? RSVP NOW!
EdTech platform industry pledge backed by MDA: To help improve diversity of voice in the communications industry by 2030
Australian EdTech platform Commsgrad that provides re-imagined communications career pathways to empower the next generation of diverse storytellers, recently announced its’ industry pledge that acknowledges the current lack of diversity of voice within the industry to work toward tangible improvements across the industry by 2030.
MDA is proud to throw its support behind this fantastic initiative as we know that the media is a megaphone for culture – it not only reflects but has the incredible power to create and influence social and cultural norms. The faces, voices, stories and perspectives that are reflected back at audiences have broad implications.
While we are starting to witness a palpable push from many newsrooms to have their journalists and commentators reflect the broader community and by default, the wider conversation, more needs to be done to ensure that the next generation of diverse storytellers in the communications industry is keeping up pace.
You can view the full press release HERE.
MDA Chapter members achievements: Kamin Gock and Farid Farid
Kamin Gock (NSW Chapter Stakeholder Relations & Events Officer)
MDA’s NSW Chapter member and Sydney-based journalist, Kamin Gock was named the winner of the 2023 Andrew Olle Scholarship, alongside Brisbane-based triple j reporter, Ellie Grounds.
The scholarship honours the life and work of the late ABC journalist Andrew Olle, who was one of Australia’s most admired broadcasters. Andrew presented some of the ABC’s flagship programs including Four Corners, The 7.30 Report and Mornings on ABC Radio Sydney (then 2BL). The scholarship is designed to create career development opportunities for young ABC journalists and to promote the values that epitomised Andrew Olle’s journalism.
Farid Farid (NSW Chapter Secretary)
MDA’s NSW Chapter member and Sydney-based news reporter at AAP, Farid Farid, has been making his mark on public discourse this month. Farid asked former Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison if possessing emergency powers in secret at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic was a slippery slope towards becoming an autocrat during a live press conference at the National Press Club.
MDA Impact: We are very proud of two of our MDA graduates who’ve secured their first gigs in the industry
MDA takes pride in watching our past graduates/alumni transform into confident media professionals. Khaled is one of them!
Former Federal Election Political Fellow at The Guardian, Khaled Al Khawaldeh, has recently been appointed as The Guardian’s new rural reporter!
Khaled started out by attending Media Diversity Australia’s networking event, where he met and made connections with the team. He then applied for our 2022 Political Fellowship and was one of the three fellows to make their way to Canberra. Khaled was placed with Guardian Australia. When the fellowship ended, Khaled was appointed as The Guardian’s new rural reporter, a position funded by the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation in a program instigated by the Centre for Media Transition at UTS. Khaled is heading up to Ayr in Queensland to bring his unique take on Australian regional life to a national audience.
Roseanne Maloney recognised her love for radio early on in her career. She started writing radio news at the National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters’ Council, during which she attended a MDA Networking event in Victoria. There, she made connections with MDA’s team and the ABC. Her contact with the ABC led to her working a casual radio role with the newsroom. Now, she’s started a prized cadetship at the ABC!
A huge congratulations to both Khaled and Roseanne on their appointments and their perseverance #MDAImpact
MDA Announcement coming soon: Stay tuned!
We’ve been working tirelessly on a new membership offering for media and industry partners. It’s a game changer – stay tuned for details in the coming weeks!
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
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:
- Social Media & Communications Producer: Nayonika Roychoudhury
- Email: comms@mediadiversityaustralia.org
Political Fellowships
Opportunities
Political Fellowships
Three fellowships worth $15,000 each, that will take place during the federal election and will be Canberra-based for Australians under the age of 30, who are passionate about media, politics and diversity.
The project aims to place 12 journalism students at different mainstream media outlets.
Fellowships are available in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra, and Adelaide.
Media Diversity Australia is calling for expressions of interest from young Australians under the age of 30, who are passionate about media, politics, and diversity.
With the support of Google News Initiative, we have three fellowships worth $15 000 each, that will take place during the federal election and will be Canberra-based.
- -The purpose of the project is to place three young Australians in leading political bureaus, including time spent in Canberra’s Press Gallery, during the 2022 Federal Election.
- The fellowship project will help address an obvious gap in the media: culturally diverse perspectives in the coverage of Australian federal politics. The fellowships will be a rare opportunity to work in the Press Gallery, which is often an accelerant for a young journalist’s career.
- The six to eight-week fellowship will take place in the weeks leading up to the federal election.
- The fellowship recipients will receive a weekly stipend of $772.60 to cover living expenses, plus a travel and accommodation allowance (where applicable for successful applicants who are not Canberra-based).
- Fellowships will commence in early 2022 and the exact dates will be confirmed once the election is called.
- Fellowships will take place at one major media outlet within the Press Gallery for the duration of the placement.
- The fellowship recipients will be mentored and supported by an MDA project manager.
- Training by Google News Initiative is also part of the fellowship.
WHO CAN APPLY
- Applicants need to be under the age of 30 and able to demonstrate a keen interest in, and understanding of media, politics and diversity.
- Applicants will come from a First Nations, culturally or linguistically diverse background, live with a disability or have an interest in growing diversity in Australia’s newsrooms.
- Applicants do not need to have a tertiary qualification.
- Applicants will need to have full working rights in Australia.
HOW TO APPLY
- You must address all of the following to be considered for a fellowship: In 500 words or less, please tell us a bit about you, any media or politics experience you’ve had, why covering a federal election is beneficial for your career and why you should be chosen for a political fellowship.
- Please also attach a CV and one written reference.
- Please attach any examples of published journalism.
- Applications open on Monday, 1 November 1 at 9 am AEST and close at 5 pm AEST on Friday, 26th November. Successful candidates will be announced in mid-December after an interview process.
Applicants can apply by clicking here (Entries Closed).
*Please note these fellowships are dependent on the COVID-19 situation and state and tertiary government health requirements.*
Women Of Colour Mentorships
Opportunities
Women Of Colour Mentorships
Mid-career women journalists of First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to undertake a 12-month program to help pave a pathway into leadership roles.
Media Diversity Australia is calling for expressions of interest from mid-career, women journalists of First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to undertake a 12-month program to help pave a pathway for them into leadership roles.
- This program is designed to empower First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse women journalists and provide them with the requisite knowledge and skills to navigate climbing the ranks of editorial leadership.
- The ten (10) Mentorships will be Australia-wide (two of the 10 successful Mentees will be University of Melbourne and Monash University alumni).
- Mentees will undertake a rigorous selection criteria process based on skill set, experience, personality, cultural fit, and geographical location.
- Once accepted, each applicant will be matched with the right Mentor.
- MDA will facilitate multiple online meetings between Mentors and Mentees before commencing the 12-month Mentorship program to ensure a smooth onboarding process.
- The Mentorships are scheduled to commence in mid-2022.
- The Mentorship recipients will be mentored and supported by an MDA Project Manager.
- Mentorships will take place with one mentor connected to one media outlet for the duration of the placement.
THE 12-MONTH PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE
- Multiple in-person sessions with their Mentor in their respective workplace.
- Multiple online workshops with individual Mentors.
- Multiple online workshops with all Mentors focusing on professional development, leadership skills, presentation skills, compelling storytelling, and insights into effective editorial processes.
- An opportunity to attend and speak at an MDA networking event and/or be featured in MDA’s monthly newsletter.
HOW TO APPLY
- Applicants must be early to mid-career journalists or media professionals.
- Applicants will come from a First Nations or culturally or linguistically diverse background or have an interest in growing First Nations and cultural and linguistic diversity in Australia’s newsrooms (please note: the term “women of colour” denotes a woman belonging to a racial group not categorised as white).
- You must address all of the following to be considered for this program:
In 500 words or less, please tell us a bit about you, your media industry experience, your leadership aspirations, and why you should be an MDA Mentee. - Please also attach a CV and at least one written reference.
- Applications open on Friday, March 4, 2022, at 9 am AEDT and close on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at 5 pm AEST.
- Successful candidates will be announced in June 2022 after an interview process.
Applicants can apply by clicking here (Entries Closed).
Chinese-Australian Journalism Secondment
Opportunities
Chinese-Australian Journalism Secondment
Early to mid-career Australians of Chinese heritage with experience or an interest in journalism to undertake an eight-week program working in mainstream newsrooms.
Media Diversity Australia is calling for expressions of interest from early to mid-career Australians of Chinese heritage with experience or an interest in working in journalism, to undertake an eight-week program working in mainstream newsrooms.
- The program is designed to improve journalism coverage of Chinese communities in Australia, by increasing the number of journalists with strong Chinese cultural connections.
- It will provide Chinese-Australian professionals with the knowledge and skills to navigate climbing the ranks of editorial leadership, and mid-career Chinese-Australians working in other professions with flexible journalism work that may lead to a potential career pivot.
- The three (3) secondments will take place in Australian major cities.
- Secondees will undertake a rigorous selection criteria process based on skill set, experience, personality, cultural fit, and geographical location.
- Once confirmed, each Secondee will be matched with a mainstream newsroom to arrange working hours that are mutually beneficial.
- Any content produced by secondees and published by participating newsrooms will be free of the oversight or influence of any government agencies.
- The secondments are scheduled to commence in September 2022.
- The secondment recipients will be mentored and supported by an MDA Mentor.
THE EIGHT-WEEK PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE
- Working in mainstream Australian newsrooms on weekdays, after hours, or on weekends in agreement with applicants and newsrooms.
- Networking (virtual) sessions between secondees and Media Diversity Australia
- Multiple check-ins with MDA mentors throughout the eight-week placement
- “Getting to know you” profiles on MDA’s social media
- Google News Training sessions
- Opportunities to attend and speak at an MDA networking event and/or be featured in MDA’s monthly newsletter.
- Competitive weekly stipend for the duration of the Secondment.
EXPECTED PROJECT OUTCOMES
- Content produced by Secondees will be at the host newsroom’s discretion. Stories pitched by Secondees on China and geopolitical affairs and those affecting the Chinese-Australian community will be specially considered.
- Better relations between Chinese communities, community media and mainstream media outlets.
- Improvement in the host newsroom’s access to the Chinese-Australian community.
- Increased diversity in the host newsroom’s commentary and interview subjects on stories relevant to the diverse Chinese-Australian communities.
- New pathways for community media journalists, professionals with strong writing and presentation skills, and interest in news and current affairs to enter the mainstream media with improved knowledge and understanding of mainstream media and journalism.
HOW TO APPLY
- Applicants must have the right to work in Australia and provide evidence if requested.
- Applicants will ideally have Chinese heritage
- Applicants will preferably be proficient in Mandarin or Cantonese
- Applicants will preferably have experience working in community media, new media or demonstrated strong writing or presentation skills
- 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 interest in China or Chinese diaspora story ideas, your leadership qualities and aspirations, and why you should be an MDA Secondee.
- Please attach a CV and at least one written reference.
- Applications open on Friday, July 1, 2022, at 9 am AEDT and close on Friday, August 12, 2022, at 5 pm AEST.
- Successful candidates will be announced in August 2022 after an interview process.
Applications now closed.
Amplifying Voices
Amplifying Voices
14 May 2022 – 11 June 2022
Amplifying Voices is a media training program for Muslim youth women and religious leaders from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. The program aims to build the capacity of delegates to engage with traditional Australian media and strengthen delegates’ knowledge of how social media operates and how they can better engage their audiences. It promotes accurate information and better representation of the Muslim faith and community in Australia, including correcting misrepresentations and helps improve the relationship between Muslim communities and the community of media professionals.
China Forum
China Forum
31 May 2022
Without fear or favour: how Chinese Australian journalists can cover China safely and fairly. Hosted by Stan Grant, the live event examined two challenging issues: how Chinese background journalists can cover China-Australia relations given the perceived and real threats of reprisals or attacks on their China-based family or themselves, and also how newsrooms can cover China in a way that engages a Chinese diaspora that often have very different opinions on their country of heritage.
