POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT CHECKLIST: Avoid imposing cultural load or colonial load: Ensure the burden of education is not borne by people with lived experience of racism. Build connections: Cultivate relationships with communities not only in times of crisis but as an ongoing relationship, ensuring representation extends beyond negative stereotypes. Approach discussions on race with an understanding that racism is not a debate but a reality affecting lives: Educate yourself and your team on the origins and impacts of systemic racism; use the MDA Reporting of Race guide, to contribute positively to the discourse and be mindful of how racist speech and actions are represented in reporting. Take Racism Seriously: Prioritise the voices of communities with lived experience of racism and anti-racism practitioners in discussions about race. Understand Intersectionality: Recognise how race intersects with other social categories (Refer to Chapter 2). Focus on Structural Solutions: Dismantling racism requires systemic change, not just individual actions (Refer to Chapter 1 and Definitions). Support Community Voices: Amplify the voices and action of everyday individuals with lived experience of racism in the fight against racism. Maintain a Talent Care Plan: Maintain a plan and revise it regularly based on feedback from the community. Australian journalists and editorial leaders should critically consider which stories are highlighted and regularly consult with audiences and communities for a truly representative narrative. This not only strengthens reporting but also supports a media landscape that values every community member's contribution. | CHAPTER 05 44