Portrayal of indigenous people are divided into noble and savage according to Frances Peters-Little, an Aboriginal film-maker who has observed the TV portrayals of indigenous people.
Read Wikipedia's information on Media portrayals of Indigenous Australians.
- Labels such as half caste, quarter caste, full blood are usually offensive. So is questions the amount of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander blood an indigenous person has is not welcome.
Regional terms used by Aboriginal people to describe each other according to their home country, such as Nyoogar, Murri, Nungah, etc are preferable for accuracy and also helps to not cause any offence.
Grammar - Do not use acronyms to refer to Indigenous people (e.g. TSI or Abl.) Most aboriginals prefer not to be called Aborigine.
Most Aboriginal people use the word Indigenous with a capital letter. This applies only to Australian Indigenous people. Pronounciation should also be checked for accuracy. Subtitles should be checked for accuracy of translation. Accurate spelling as well.
Conduct - Speak in a manner that can easily be understood, as English can often be a second language of the people your interviewing. Do not mimic Aboriginal speech patters if you are using words of the local language. Be sensitive to non-verbal communication. Keep technical words to a minimun (avoid jargon that could make your source feel uncomfortable).
Cross-check with the indigenous people if your story is in-line with what they meant during the interview (integrity and authenticity).
Basic questions to ask during the research phase; Is there a Local Aboriginal Land Council in the area, who are the people in the area, how do they wish to be referred to, Who can I approach to get permission to film or record, Is there anything sensitive or confidential in light of the information you'll be receiving.
Silence - Silence from an interviewee may not mean they don't have a question, it's a sign of listening, reflecting. Don't rush the source or repeat four times, give them time to answer your questions.
Aboriginals: Notion of silence, listening, waiting for support of the community.
Fiji: Silence is not a good thing
Culture in Burma (Mayanmar) may affect a way a journalist is to practice if they haven't previously studied the culture. Their main cultural difference with European nations include changes to dress, speech and manners.
Their dress is similar to that of India, though in businesses' it's acceptable to wear collared shirts etc. The main difference is in the way you refer to someone. The Burmese people use very age-oriented honorifics. For instance young males are addressed different with Ko while older senior men are addressed differently with U. A speaking vocabulary also exists for speaking to Buddhist Monks.
Burmese society also use a characteristic of feeling that has no English equivalent. It is characterized by hesitation, reluctance or avoidance, to perform an action based on the fear that it will offend someone or cause someone to lose face, or become embarrassed. There is also a concept of power, "hpon," which is the explanation of varying degrees of ethnic socioeconomic, gender differences between those in the society.
Be careful with your conversations as there are secret police, you are only endangering them by initiating a sensitive conversation, and undercover police abound – do not take any chances.
South-Pacific: Chiefly status, customary channels (New Caledonia), Curtailing of information (ethics imposed by customs), Sua (Samoa), Honorifics.
Cross-check with the indigenous people if your story is in-line with what they meant during the interview (integrity and authenticity).
Basic questions to ask during the research phase; Is there a Local Aboriginal Land Council in the area, who are the people in the area, how do they wish to be referred to, Who can I approach to get permission to film or record, Is there anything sensitive or confidential in light of the information you'll be receiving.
Silence - Silence from an interviewee may not mean they don't have a question, it's a sign of listening, reflecting. Don't rush the source or repeat four times, give them time to answer your questions.
Aboriginals: Notion of silence, listening, waiting for support of the community.
Fiji: Silence is not a good thing
Culture in Burma (Mayanmar) may affect a way a journalist is to practice if they haven't previously studied the culture. Their main cultural difference with European nations include changes to dress, speech and manners.
Their dress is similar to that of India, though in businesses' it's acceptable to wear collared shirts etc. The main difference is in the way you refer to someone. The Burmese people use very age-oriented honorifics. For instance young males are addressed different with Ko while older senior men are addressed differently with U. A speaking vocabulary also exists for speaking to Buddhist Monks.
Burmese society also use a characteristic of feeling that has no English equivalent. It is characterized by hesitation, reluctance or avoidance, to perform an action based on the fear that it will offend someone or cause someone to lose face, or become embarrassed. There is also a concept of power, "hpon," which is the explanation of varying degrees of ethnic socioeconomic, gender differences between those in the society.
Be careful with your conversations as there are secret police, you are only endangering them by initiating a sensitive conversation, and undercover police abound – do not take any chances.
South-Pacific: Chiefly status, customary channels (New Caledonia), Curtailing of information (ethics imposed by customs), Sua (Samoa), Honorifics.
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