Word by Emma Macdonald OAM
Young people can feel the media treats them unfairly, either reverting to stereotypes or leaving their opinions out of the story, according to new findings.
In a step towards addressing the problem, a guide has been released outlining how to avoid the pitfalls of stereotyping or victim-blaming young people.
Aimed at journalists, editors, writers and content creators, it offers practical steps to help them treat every child and young person fairly.
Produced by the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) with support from Northern Territory Alliance, the guide is based on the opinions of young people and was overseen by the National Youth Speak Out advisory body.
It provides advice on how to approach stories in an age of virality, social media and with the clear understanding that children cannot be blamed or demonised in stories relating to any form of abuse.
I launched the guide in Parliament House earlier this month with Zahra Al Hilaly, a former Western Australian Young Person of the Year, United Nations youth representative and member of Forbes 30 Under 30. It was supported by the Chief Executive Officer of NAPCAN Leesa Waters and politicians from across party lines.
A first-generation Australian from a Palestinian and Iraqi family, Zahra received a scholarship to attend the Women in Media National Conference while at university and is working globally to promote the rights of women and children, including working with NAPCAN as their campaign strategist to help guide more responsible media coverage of young people across Australia.
She told the Parliamentary launch, “As a young girl, I quickly saw how media narratives could distort and harm communities like mine. After 9/11, even at a young age, I became aware of how differently the media portrayed people like me.”
“I witnessed how my community became targets of suspicion and misrepresentation. This wasn’t an isolated event – it was a consistent and sustained pattern of bias.”
“It wasn’t until my transformative years at university that I fully understood the depth of this issue: biased reporting that reinforced harmful stereotypes and further entrenched divisions.”
The guide provides practical advice on using inclusive and respectful language, avoiding stereotypes, seeking young perspectives, maintaining privacy and balancing public interest with well-being.
Reviews of media coverage in Australia suggest stories about children tend to fall into a few typical categories – such as problem teenagers and bad youths, high-achieving individuals, or young children as cute novelties.
While all of these aren’t necessarily bad (and may provide newsworthy content), the guide suggests it is worth considering ways to extend stories beyond these usual suspects, and include the voices of the subject’s of your story:
“If you really want to get honest about the types of stories you’re reporting, ask young people themselves. Ask them to review past publications and tell you what they think about the stories related to their age groups – including the topics covered and the way the children are portrayed. They might have great suggestions for how children’s voices could have been included, or ideas for articles that they would like to see covered more.”
Not every journalist needs to become a social justice warrior, but should seek to report in a way that avoids causing harm to individuals, not least to children and young people.
The guide considers the issue of privacy, including the right to privacy of children who have died. It asks journalists to consider whether pixelating the face of a child or young person is enough to protect their identity? It considers the damage of digital footprints and stories spreading beyond editorial control and notes that consent from parents or caregivers should not negate the need for privacy and autonomy for children. Before approaching each story, reporters should ask themselves how they would feel if it was their child.
The guide is available at www.napcan.org.au/media-guide.
Zahra said the document represented a powerful turning point.
“It’s a commitment to a future where every young Australian, no matter where they come from, is seen, heard, respected, and empowered to thrive.”
“This is the beginning of a new story, one where dignity and truth lead the way.”
Emma Macdonald OAM is associate editor of HerCanberra, co-founder of maternal health charity Send Hope Not Flowers, and Women in Media’s ACT Convenor.