Question: How is settler colonialism manifested in the media’s reporting/representation of Indigenous issues in Australia? Explain with reference to a detailed example on any media platform.

– Define settler colonialism in Australia

– use a specific example, such as new article, video, social media posts

– use sources provided and some more academic sources

– Show critical thinking!!

– No AI

– Harvard referencing

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your Paper

Step 1: Understand the Concept of Settler Colonialism in the Australian Context

Before diving into media analysis, ensure you fully understand settler colonialism. Settler colonialism is a distinct form of colonialism where the colonisers come to stay and establish a society on the lands of Indigenous peoples, often seeking to erase Indigenous presence and sovereignty. In Australia, this began with British invasion in 1788 and continues through institutions and systems that maintain non-Indigenous dominance.

Tip: Start by summarizing definitions from your course readings or authors like Patrick Wolfe, who famously stated “settler colonialism is a structure, not an event”.

Step 2: Choose a Specific Media Example

You need to critically engage with a specific media platform and example. Select a news article, TV segment, video, or social media thread that covers an Indigenous issue. For example:

A Sky News or ABC News report on Indigenous protests.
Social media posts during the 2023 Voice to Parliament referendum campaign.
A newspaper article covering Indigenous deaths in custody.

Ensure the example contains a clear narrative or bias that you can analyze in terms of settler colonial logic (e.g., erasure, delegitimisation, control).

Step 3: Conduct a Close Reading of the Media Text

Analyse your chosen media text for:

Language use: Are Indigenous people portrayed as a “problem” or a “threat”?
Whose voice is dominant?: Are Indigenous voices included, or are non-Indigenous “experts” used instead?
Framing: Is the issue framed in terms of law and order, deficit, or violence?
Visuals and Imagery: How are Indigenous people visually represented?

Use these to demonstrate how settler colonialism is reproduced through media.

Step 4: Link the Media Analysis to Academic Sources

Use scholarly articles and the course-provided readings to support your arguments. Some useful sources might include:

Moreton-Robinson, Aileen (2009) on white possessiveness.
Carlson, Bronwyn (2016) on Indigenous social media use.
Wolfe, Patrick (2006) on settler colonialism structure.
Indigenous scholars discussing the Voice referendum or Black Lives Matter Australia.

Use at least 3 academic sources in addition to your media example.

Step 5: Show Critical Thinking and Reflexivity

Don’t just describe—critically evaluate:

What does the media example reveal about ongoing settler-colonial power?
How does this affect Indigenous sovereignty, rights, or visibility?
Could the media have represented the issue differently?

Reflect on what’s missing in the coverage and what that tells us about the broader system.

Step 6: Write and Structure Your Paper

Your essay should include the following:

Introduction
- Define settler colonialism
- State your thesis: how your media example shows manifestations of settler colonialism
- Briefly introduce your media source
Background Section
- Brief context on Indigenous media representation in Australia
- The historical roots of media bias through a settler colonial lens
Analysis of Media Example
- Discuss the article or media post in detail
- Apply critical theories and frameworks
- Use quotes, examples, and scholarly support
Discussion
- Broader implications: what this example says about public discourse
- Consider the media’s role in reinforcing or challenging settler colonial narratives
Conclusion
- Summarize key findings
- Reinforce your thesis
- Suggest areas for further research or media improvement

Step 7: Reference Using Harvard Style

Ensure you use Harvard referencing throughout:

In-text citation example: (Wolfe, 2006)
Include a Reference List at the end formatted in Harvard style.

Use your university’s Harvard style guide to format correctly.

Final Tips

Avoid informal language or first-person statements.
Stay focused on settler colonialism and media—don’t drift into unrelated topics.
Proofread your paper for grammar and clarity.
Make sure Turnitin detects no AI-generated content—this must be your work.

Would you like help selecting a current media example to use in your essay?

The post Media Representations of Indigenous Issues in Australia: A Study of Settler Colonialism appeared first on Skilled Papers.