Trust in Australian media has fallen below the global average. Maybe this is part of the reason why?

Trust in Australian media has fallen below the global average, was a worrying trend revealed today by Anna Daffin from the Public Interest Journalism Initiative. I hadn’t heard those figures before today. She was one of a number of speakers at today’s Media Diversity Australia symposium. This decline is particularly concerning in a modern, prosperous, and democratically free country like Australia, where one might expect a higher levels of trust.

This erosion of trust is evident in the younger generation’s increasing reliance on social media for news. My own niece, for example, is far more likely to get her information from friends’ comments on social media than from trusted journalistic sources. This reliance on often unverified information, a theme reiterated throughout the symposium, poses a significant threat to informed public discourse many people said today.

The Media Diversity Australia symposium, held at Western Sydney University, brought together a fascinating array of journalists and media executives to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. From insightful discussions on impartiality and representation to personal stories of overcoming adversity, the event offered a valuable glimpse into the evolving landscape of Australian media. In particular, seeking to make Australian media look and sound more like modern Australia.

Elias Clure, an ABC journalist and recent Andrew Olle Scholar, shared his personal journey of breaking into the industry. Despite facing numerous rejections after graduation, Elias persevered and eventually landed a job at the ABC thanks to a couple of journalists who believed in his skills and experience. He stressed the importance of embracing one’s identity, noting that he initially tried to downplay his “blackness” but now recognizes it as a vital part of who he is.

News editor at Nine/NBN, Darius Winterfield, reflected on the significant changes in newsroom culture he has witnessed throughout his career. Though he comes from a mixed background and has a “Persian” name, he revealed that he has used a more “Anglo” surname professionally, highlighting the pressures faced by journalists from diverse backgrounds to conform to traditional norms.

The issue of the ABC’s Review into (internalised staff) Racism (released on Tuesday) was a recurring theme throughout the day. Many speakers emphasized that the ABC is not alone in facing this challenge and that the public is often ahead of the media when it comes to diversity. Kamin Gock, an ABC journalist, praised the public release of the report, emphasizing the importance of transparency in addressing systemic issues.

A key discussion point throughout the day was the tension between impartiality and the diversity of journalists. Many speakers shared experiences of being told they couldn’t report on certain issues due to their cultural backgrounds. However, others argued that connections to community can lead to deeper insights and richer storytelling.

The symposium also featured a strong panel of media executives, including former ABC News director Gavin Morris, who advocated for greater socio-economic diversity in newsrooms. Justin Stevens from the ABC and Mandi Wicks from SBS echoed the day’s themes, with Wicks emphasizing the importance of diverse voices in identifying and addressing blind spots in news coverage. “Shut up and listen” was the advice Mandi offered to Australian journalists.

It’s not the way you look, it’s having more people with more lived experience of diversity that will benefit Australian media was a recurrent theme from today’s conference.

Overall, the Media Diversity Australia symposium provided a valuable platform for discussing the critical issues facing the Australian media landscape. The event highlighted the importance of diversity, Audiences connect better when the the media looks and sounds like the rich tapestry of Australian society. Hopefully improvements in this area might actually improve the trust factor?