MDA | Race Reporting Handbook Navigating Statements: When reporting statements from anyone, especially those in positions of power, such as politicians, community leaders, and industry leaders, journalists must exercise caution to prevent misinformation. Fact-check all quotes, regardless of who they are from, and, if they are inaccurate, include the context of their inaccuracy in the story. This approach ensures that readers are not misled by false or misleading statements. EXAMPLE: If a politician inaccurately claims that "crime rates have doubled," the report should include fact-checked data and clarify the inaccuracies: "Contrary to the politician's statement, crime rates have remained stable over the past five years according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2023)." Avoid reproducing quotes verbatim without additional context, as this can perpetuate harm and spread misinformation. Instead, provide the necessary context to inform the audience accurately and responsibly. EXAMPLE: (Not real headlines) A headline such as "Outrage as Refugees Flood the Border" should be replaced with a more accurate and balanced headline like "Increased Refugee Arrivals Prompt Policy Change” This approach ensures that the headline reflects the content of the story without inciting unnecessary emotions. ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Bias can influence how information is gathered, interpreted, and presented. Training staff to recognise and address these biases, as well as engaging in active anti-racism training and initiatives, is essential for an editorial process that aspires to fairness and objectivity. This training should start with, and be mandatory for, media executives and editors and involve: Extend your learning here with the Australian Human Rights Commission Racial Hatred Act : Checklist for Media. • Handling Clickbait Headlines: Clickbait headlines, designed to generate outrage or attract clicks, undermine journalistic integrity and contribute to the spread of misinformation. Journalists and editors should pause and reconsider the use of sensationalist headlines, striving instead for accuracy and context. Sensational headlines can skew public perception, leading to unfounded fear or anger that can have real life impacts, such as violent attacks, on affected communities along with reducing trust, credibility and consumption. | CHAPTER 03 • Awareness Workshops: Conduct regular workshops to educate staff about various unconscious biases and their potential impact on reporting. Diverse Teams: Create diverse editorial teams who are encouraged and afforded cultural safety to provide a range of perspectives based on lived experiences on content, not as an expectation but when personally desired. This would require broader structural support, including reviews of recruitment, retention, and other institutional policies with the aims of strengthening First Nations cultural safety and anti-racism. 30