Minister seeks clarification on domestic violence media reporting

By PETER ROWE

Indigenous Affairs Minister Malarndirri McCarthy has written to the Australian Press Council to express her concerns at the lack of reporting into murdered and missing First Nations women and children.

The recent Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee inquiry found that the media’s ‘critical role’ in responding to domestic and family violence saw disproportionately little coverage.

“I recognise the essential independence of the Australian Press Council … and ask you review the recommendations of the Committee’s report,” Minister McCarthy wrote in her letter to the chairman of the APC, Neville Stevens.

Senator McCarthy, a former journalist added she hoped the concerns would be addressed, “including providing clear and tailored guidance on coverage of murdered or missing First Nations women and children”.

Senator McCarthy spoke to NITV on Tuesday, responding to the Federal government’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Safety Plan that is going to be launched next year.

“People have been calling for action for a lot longer,” Senator McCarthy said in response to questioning and the time it has taken to reach this decision.