More than 200 people working in the media, communications and related fields have signed the open letter below, regarding The Australian’s recent publication of a Bill Leak cartoon attacking Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. As recently reported at Croakey, a number of health and community organisations have also made complaints.
(This list was updated on 16 November with additional signatories).
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“We are journalists, writers, photographers, artists, publishers and others who work in the media and communications industries. Signatories also include journalism, media and communications researchers and academics.
We condemn The Australian’s publication of Bill Leak’s racist cartoon. Racism damages the health and wellbeing of those it targets.
We acknowledge that the media industry has a long history of perpetuating harmful and racist stereotypes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and that it is well past time that this stops.
We urge the editorial leadership at The Australian to reflect on the hurt and distress they have caused, and to make a sincere and genuine apology.”
Signatories
1. Amy McQuire, journalist
2. Allan Clarke, journalist
3. Dr Justin Coleman, GP, Inala Indigenous Health Service, Immediate past President, Australasian Medical Writers Association
4. Fiona Katauskas, cartoonist.
5. Rudi Maxwell, editor, Koori Mail
6. Kodie Bedford, writer and producer
7. Leigh Dayton, journalist and researcher
8. Dr Michelle Dunne Breen
9. Bjorn Stewart, Actor
10. Celeste Liddle, writer
11. Colin Kinchela, actor and performer
12. Jarni blakkarly, journalist
13. Vernon Ah Kee, Artist
14. Amy Coopes, journalist, Croakey
15. Dr Anita Heiss, author
16. Bronwyn Carlson, Associate Professor of Indigenous Studies at UOW
17. Dr Tanja Dreher, University of Wollongong
18. Dr Sandy O’Sullivan, Director of Centre for Collaborative First Nations’ Research, Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education, Darwin.
19. Kerry McCallum, News and Media Research Centre, University of Canberra.
20. Karen Wyld, writer
21. Summer May Finlay
22. Jack Latimore, Indigenous Writer
23. Max Chalmers, Journalist, New Matilda
24. Ben Eltham, National Affairs Correspondent, New Matilda
25. Michael Brull, columnist, New Matilda
26. Jeff Sparrow, journalist, broadcaster
27. Leesa Watego, Iscariot Media
28. Jonathan Green, meanjin editor
29. Clem Bastow, journalist
30. Amiel Courtin-Wilson, Filmmaker
31. Dave Graney, musician, author, broadcaster
32. Jenna Price, UTS academic and Fairfax columnist.
33. Liam McLoughlin, journalist, New Matilda.
34. Jennifer Doggett
35. Richard Bell, artist
36. Marie McInerney, freelance journalist
37. Siobhan McHugh, writer, documentary-maker and Senior Lecturer in Journalism, University of Wollongong
38. Liz O’Reilly, Independent Artist and Educator
39. Dr Sandra R Phillips, Writer and Academic
41. Jim Everett-puralia meenamatta. I am a plangermairreenner man from meenamatta country, NE Tasmania.
42. Felicity Biggins, Lecturer in Communication at the University of Newcastle
43. Fiona Martin, Senior Lecturer, University of Sydney
44. Dr Andrew Dodd, Associate Professor and Program Director, Journalism, Swinburne University.
45. Melissa Lucashenko
46. Johan Lidberg, Monash University.
47. Tara Wynne, literary agent, Curtis Brown
48. Wendy Bacon, Contributing editor, New Matilda
49. Jeanti St Clair, Lecturer Media Program School of Arts and Social Sciences, Southern Cross University
50. Jessica Friedmann, writer
51. Dr Meera Atkinson Writer and academic
52. Tanya Ashworth-Keppel, writer and editor
53. Alex McKinnon, journalist
54. John Paul Janke, Indigenous communications specialist
55. Catherine Deveny, writer
56. Bianca Nogrady, journalist
57. Keren Heenan, writer
58. Simon Chapman AO, columnist, The Conversation
59. Linda Doherty, director, communication & leadership, NSW department of Education
60. Michael Meadows, Adjunct Professor Griffith University
61. Kerrie Foxwell-Norton, writer
62. Danielle Binks, author and literary agent (with Jacinta di Mase Management)
63. MJ Leaver, writer
64. Helen Signy, Senior Communications Officer, The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre.
65. Dr Beth Spencer, author.
66. Marge Overs, health writer
67. Tracey Johnston, health sector communications professional
68. Jenny Noyes, writer and producer @ Daily Life
69. Amy Gray, writer
70. Keira Jenkins, Journalist, Koori Mail
71. Dr Cristy Clark, Lecturer, School of Law and Justice, Southern Cross University
72. Dr Chelsea Bond, Senior Lecturer, ATSIS Unit, University of Qld
73. Nina Funnell, commentator
74. Angela Romano, QUT
75. Dr Bonita Mason, Journalism Lecturer, Curtin University.
76. Greg Truman, journalist
77. Dr Ruth Armstrong, Moderator, Croakey
78. Melinda Shobrook – Facilitator of Indigenous Rise (a Facebook group).
79. Isabelle Oderberg, journalist and communications professional
80. Kate Doak, Investigative Journalist
81. Josh Ridgeway, journalist
82. Meg Bastian
83. Dr Thor Kerr School of Media, Culture and Creative Arts, Curtin University
84. Julie Kivuyo
85. Anne Ryden, Lecturer, Curtin University
86. Dr Antonio Traverso, Curtin University
87. (Aunty) Kerry Reed-Gilbert, Wiradjuri poet, artist & activist
88. Angela Dewan, freelance journalist.
89. Michelle Lovegrove, journalist
90. Sophie Black
91. Dr Ray Moynihan, author, medical writer
92. Professor Chris Nash, Monash University
93. Dr Lesley Russell, writer
94. Sara Saleh, Human Rights Advocate and Artist
95. Angela Schilling, Editor, Five Thousand
96. Ian McAuley
97. Eliza Henry-Jones, author
98. Colin Cowell, Media and Communication Consultant, NACCHO, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Editor, NACCHO Aboriginal Health Newspaper
99. Dr Courtney Pedersen
100. Mark Ragg, Ragg & Co
101. Jane McCredie
102. Dr Christine Black, Gold Coast
103. Jane Armstrong, Lecturer
104. Ruth Dawkins, Tasmanian Writers Centre
105. Lea McInerney, writer
106. Chris Graham, Publisher, New Matilda
107. Wendy Orr, author
108. Associate Professor Liz Byrski, Writer and academic
109. Andrea Dodo-Balu, Curtin University School of Media, Culture and Creative Arts
110. Professor Margaret Simons, Director of the Centre for Advancing Journalism, and a freelance journalist and author
111. Ruth Callaghan, a journalism and broadcasting academic
112. Margaret Scheikowski
113. Mitchell Ward, creative director, Croakey
114. Michelle Bui, Research Assistant, Curtin University School of Media Culture & Creative Arts
115. Jenny Fraser, Adjunct Research Fellow
116. Katie Ellis, Senior Research Fellow, Curtin University
117. Kathryn Greenhill, Lecturer in Information Studies
118. Catriona Bonfiglioli, PhD Senior Lecturer Media Studies UTS
119. Professor Anna Haebich, Historian and author
120. Rose Hanley, Roleystone WA
121. Pablo Leighton, Independent researcher / Latin American Research Group Australia
122. Dr David Nolan, Senior Lecturer, Media and Communications, and Research Fellow, Centre for Advancing Journalism, University of Melbourne
123. Faustina Agolley, TV presenter
124. Tom Ballard, comedian
125. Namila Benson, broadcaster/producer
126. Karen Pickering, writer and organiser
127. Ruby Hamad, columnist, Daily Life, SBS Life
128. Scott Edgar, songwriter, Tripod
129. Dr Helen Merrick, Curtin University
130. Shannon Harvey, Journalism lecturer and tutor, Curtin University
131. Kirsten Hudson, Curtin University
132. Michael Keane, South Perth
133. Dr Tama Leaver, Curtin University
134. Dr Liam Lynch, Curtin University
135. Dr Leanne McRae, Curtin University
136. Kenta McGrath, filmmaker and academic
137. Dr Marilyn Metta, Curtin University
138. Jennifer Martin, principal tutor for the Centre for Advancing Journalist at the University of Melbourne, editorial assistant at the Citizen
139. Dr Samantha Owen, Curtin University
140. Suvendrini Perera, John Curtin Distinguished Professor, School of Media, Culture and Creative Arts, Curtin University
141. Dr Joy Denise Scott, Academic
142. Professor Kim Scott, author
143. Dr Greg Watson, Curtin University, WA
144. Dr David Whish-Wilson, Curtin University
145. Irma Woods, Nyungar Research Assistant
146. Jessica Robyn Cadwallader
147. Dr Sukhmani Khorana, University of Wollongong
148. Dr Lisa Slater, University of Wollongong
149. Dr Siobhan McHugh, University of Wollongong
150. Prof Elena Marchetti, University of Wollongong
151. Samah Sabawi, Playwright and Commentator
152. Dr Leah King-Smith
153. Vicki Kyriakakis, writer
154. Meg Madden, Writer and editor
155. Mary Ellen Jordan, writer
156. Holly Ringland, writer, novelist, educator
157. Jacqui Katona, a law student from Djok clan, Kakadu, the Centre for Indigenous Story
158. Debra Jopson, journalist
159. Melissa Sweet, journalist
160. Angela Savage, author
161. Paul Daley, author and journalist
162. Dr Gael Jennings, Honorary Fellow, Centre for Advancing Journalism, The University of Melbourne
163. Jaelea Skehan, writer
164. Dr Stephen Hagan, Editor, First Nations Telegraph
165. Tess Ryan
166. Daniel James
167. Palani Mohan, photographer
168. Eliza Metcalfe, health communications specialist
169. Ross Green, health communications specialist
170. Rob Oakeshott, writer and author
171. Philip Moore, Anthropologist, Curtin University
172. Amber Cunningham
173. Dr Kate Bowles, Media & Communications, University of Wollongong
174. Rada Rouse, medical journalist
175. Dr Jacinda Woodhead, editor Overland
176. Juno Gemes, photographer
177. Robert Adamson, a poet/publisher, former Cal Chair of Poetry at UTS
178. Bruce Pascoe. Writer. Yuin, Bunurong and Tasmania. Gadgee, bruce.
179. Alex Bruce-Smith, journalist
180. Holly Doel-Mackaway, Lecturer, Indigenous Studies, Macquarie University
181. Andy Hazel, The Saturday Paper
182. Dr Stephanie Convery, Deputy Editor, Overland magazine
183. Cass Moriarty, author
184. Kathleen McLeod, Poet/Writer
185. Sheree Joseph, Editor of The Vocal
187. Liz Ross, Labour historian
188. Margarita Windisch, lecturer Victoria University
189. Gemma Mahadeo, writer
190. Serkan Ozturk, journalist & founder of PR 4 The People
192. Bruce Elder, author of Blood on the Wattle
193. Larissa Payne – Writer / History, English and Indigenous Studies teacher
194. Gretta Louw, artist, writer, and curator
195. Steve Dow, arts writer
196. Melanie Lazarow, Visual Artist, Life member National Tertiary Education Union
197. Van Badham
198. Sonia Orchard, writer
199. Shane Maloney, writer
200. Julie McCrossin, journalist
201. Alison Croggon, author and critic
202. Dr Kerry Ryan, Lecturer in Politics and History
203. Jim Buckell, writer, editor and facilitator (and former journalist at The Australian).
205. Keren Lavelle freelance journalist
206. Dr Helen Milte, writer and academic
207. Karyn Wood, television producer, Melbourne
208. Sonja Bijou, writer
209. Aicha Marhfour, writer
201. Jennie Hill, writer
202. Dr Sujatha Fernandes, Professor, Political Economy and Sociology, University of Sydney
203. Rebecca Gallegos, Marketing & Communications Officer, UTS
204. Pamela Freeman, author
205. Van T Rudd, artist
206. John Kelly, writer
207. Carole Ferrier, University of Queensland
208. John Passant, writer, poet, tax academic and socialist
209. Nelly Thomas, Comedian, Writer & Health Advocate
210. Linda Jaivin, Writer and translator
211. Dawn Bennett, academic with Curtin University
212. Jeni Thornley, Filmmaker& Research Associate
213. Pat O’Donnell, retired journalist
214. Nathan Appo, League Nation Live
215. Jan Mayman, journalist
216. Dr Janice Baker, Lecturer in Cultural Studies, Curtin University
217. Jim Kable
218. norrie mAy-welby, cartoonist, South Sydney Herald
219. Kieran Adair, broadcast editor
220. Alec Morgan, a Research Fellow in Media and Communications and filmmaker
221. Sam Wallman, Political cartoonist
223. Lisa Doust, writer, editor
224. Susan Forde, Griffith University
225. Tara June Winch, Author
226. Kerry Klimm, journalist
227. Merindah Donnelly, Executive Producer, BlakDance
228. Alexander Liddington-Cox, journalist and comedian
229. Nicole MacKee, journalist
230. Peter Cave, journalist
231. Susan Metcalfe, writer
232. Tony Robertson, photographer
233. Magali McDuffie, film maker
1. Journalist Bob Beale
and
2. Linda Tirado, writer
support this alternative version:
“We are journalists, writers, photographers, artists, publishers and others who work in the media and communications industries. Signatories also include journalism, media and communications researchers and academics. We condemn The Australian’s publication of Bill Leak’s racist cartoon. Racism damages the health and wellbeing of those it targets. We acknowledge that the media industry has a long history of perpetuating harmful and racist stereotypes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and that it is well past time that this stops. We urge the editorial leadership of all Australian media to reflect on the hurt and distress all racial stereotyping causes and to eliminate it from our news and current affairs media.”
A number of people from other fields wished to sign the letter, as well. Signatories from the health sector and other fields:
1. Lizzie O’Shea, human rights lawyer
2. Dr Ruth Mitchell, Royal Melbourne Hospital
3. Jason Rostant: Health and community sector consultant
4. Dr Shaphan Cox, School of Built Environment, Curtin University
5. Deaths in Custody Watch Committee (WA) Inc
6. Dr Warren Jennings, General Practitioner / Senior Lecturer Inala Indigenous Health Service, University of QLD School of Medicine
7. Dr Megan Evans, GP, Inala Indigenous health Service
8. Lynne Rogers
Program Co-ordinator, Inala Indigenous Health
9. Mark Moore,
Operations & Finance Manager
Southern Qld Centre of Excellence in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Primary HealthCare MetroSouth Hospital and Health Service
10. A/Prof Deborah Askew, Research Director, Inala Indigenous Health Service
11. Leigh-Anne Pokino, Women’s Health Worker, Southern Qld Centre of Excellence in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
12. Peggy Manton-Williams, Team Leader Community & Allied Health, Inala Indigenous Health
13. Ashley Monkland, Customer Support Officer, Inala Indigenous Health Service
14. Dr Melinda (Min) Berry MBBS FACEM, Emergency Physician, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Conjoint Senior Lecturer UNSW and UND
15. Tanya Manolios, medical student
16. Dr Geoffrey Spurling, GP
17. Suzanne Chumbley, Social Worker
18. Pat Turner, CEO, NACCHO
19. Kathryn Luttick – Melbourne (psychologist)
20. J Coombes, RN, Aboriginal Research Fellow, MPhil Studen
21. Dr Phil ChiltonCurtin University (not a journalism/media academic)
22. Associate Professor Lilon G Bandler
23. Sandy Healey
24. Jutta Galbory
25. Julie Kimber, Senior Lecturer, Politics and History, Swinburne University
26. Dr Thalia Anthony, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law | University of Technology Sydney
27. Nimna De Silva, junior doctor
(If you would like to add your name to these lists, contact info@croakey.org)
Croakey has published many articles about the harmful impacts of racism, including the need to address all forms of racism within the health sector. It is clear that as a country, we cannot tackle racism without addressing media practices as part of wider anti-racism work.
Meanwhile, read Luke Pearson at IndigenousX : #IndigenousDads – combating stereotypes and reclaiming the conversation.
