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As one of the only Aboriginal reporters in WA, I feel like I have a duty to call out WA media.
First and foremost, I know I am young and new to this industry but I also have witnessed tragic events that this state’s media refuses to cover.
First and foremost, I know I am young and new to this industry but I also have witnessed tragic events that this state’s media refuses to cover.
I am extremely upset and saddened to see a number of the state’s news station did not cover today’s Indigenous suicide prevention announcement.
EVERY network was in attendance at the Health Ministers press conference, members of the state's advisory council were there and spoke to the media about the importance of this issue and the importance of today's announcement.
Earlier this week EVERY network picked up a story about a young girl who jumped in front of a car in a suicide attempt, this story was also covered in some networks news tonight.
But there was no coverage of today’s HISTORIC announcement about ABORIGINAL LED COMMUNITY SPECIFIC solution to reduce Indigenous suicides.
Last year we had CRISIS in this country (which is still ongoing) and in the month of January, we lost two Indigenous youths every week during the first month of the year- the coverage was MINIMUM.
Suicide is one of the top FIVE leading causes of deaths for the Indigenous community and in this state, Indigenous Australians are 3 times more likely to commit suicide than non-Indigenous West Australians.
You all wanted to cover BLM four weeks ago and questioned what people were protesting for?! It’s issues like this.
This is why people protest, this is why people are mad and say “ Blak Lives Matter” because our lives DO matter and the media needs to be diverse because someone in every newsroom should have said, “we can give that time”.
It’s time the media covers Indigenous issues even when it’s not trending.
