Read Elias Clure’s Full Story Here emotional toll that their work at times can bring. Additionally, educate staff without lived experience, if appropriate, on the impacts that their colleagues may be experiencing, especially in culturally sensitive contexts such as deaths in custody, community sorry business, or conflicts. Refer to the MDA Reporting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Issues handbook for more guidance on handling these topics respectfully. Additional Considerations: Harm Minimisation and Trauma-Informed Support. Implement harm minimisation measures and provide trauma-informed support for journalists with lived experience who are reporting on topics related to racism. Recognise the potential distress and trauma that can arise from covering issues linked to their own experiences of racism. THIS INCLUDES: • • • • Providing Access to Support Services: Ensure that journalists have access to counselling and mental health services that are culturally sensitive and appropriate, such as prioritising service providers who have lived experience and/or an intimate understanding of experiences of racism. Creating Safe Work Environments: Foster a supportive workplace culture where journalists feel safe to express their concerns and seek help. Allowing Flexibility: Offer flexibility in assignments and deadlines to accommodate the emotional impact of covering traumatic stories. For example, after significant events like the Black Lives Matter movement or the outcome of the Voice to Parliament decision, it is important to allow journalists to take mental health days and manage their workload as needed. Regular Debriefing Sessions: Conduct regular debriefing sessions to help journalists process their experiences and mitigate the | CHAPTER 04 Addressing these concerns help reduce the colonial and cultural load borne by journalists with lived experiences of racism, ensuring their wellbeing while maintaining the quality and integrity of their reporting. QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF: 1. Are we choosing the best person for the story, or are we opting for convenience over lived experience? 2. Is there an opportunity to connect with someone new from a First Nations background or other negatively racialised background to genuinely and responsibly diversify the narrative and talent pool? 3. Do we have effective methods for engaging with First Nations and other negatively racialised communities to understand their perspectives to equitably represent them within the media? By asking these questions and prioritising lived experiences in our journalistic practices, we can work towards ensuring that our storytelling is as rich and varied as the society we aim to depict. 37