PREPARING FOR ENGAGEMENT According to the 2020 & 2022 MDA Research Report "Who Gets to Tell Australian Stories?", non-European Australians tend to have lower levels of trust in news sources and are more concerned about representation. While many agree that Australia’s cultural diversity is adequately represented in news, a significant majority of nonEuropean respondents express a desire for greater diversity among presenters and the stories covered. Additionally, there are differences in trust levels among non-European respondents, with a notable proportion choosing to stop consuming news due to perceived bias. 1. Assess Community Needs: Understand how the community accesses news and identify key socioeconomic factors and community leaders. • How do people obtain their news? • What socioeconomic factors come into play for this community? • Who are the community leaders and experts? Consider MDA’s Expert Diversity Directory list as a starting point and ensure to obtain an array of perspectives from within the community you are reporting on or working within. 2. Set Clear Goals for Engagement: Define what you hope to achieve and ensure the timing is right for meaningful engagement, avoiding last minute or rushed approaches. • Who can help tell the story? • What are the ideal outcomes for engaging and building | CHAPTER 05 • • relationships with this community? What timeframe do you have, and if it is short, is now the appropriate time to delve into community engagement which we know takes time and a lot of care? Are you creating safe and accessible ways for the community to engage with you and the team? Can you increase resources and go to the community instead of having them come to you? 3. Benefit Both Parties: Plan for a mutually beneficial relationship, maintaining trust while respecting professional boundaries. • Have you planned out how you will maintain the relationship? • How will the community benefit? How will you benefit? • Have you diversified your voices or are you hearing from people who already have a platform? • How will you gain and maintain trust while keeping professional and editorial boundaries? 4. Implement a Talent Care Plan: Create a robust support system for talent who have lived experiences of racism and other intersecting forms of discrimination. This might include providing access to mental health resources, peer support groups, and regular debriefing sessions. • Conduct training for reporters on how to engage sensitively with individuals who have experienced discrimination, trauma, and/ or abuse. This training should cover trauma-informed reporting, anti-racism, and effective communication strategies. • Are you committed to long-term engagement rather than one- 41