The Australian Government agencies have adopted protocols and guidelines when working in Indigenous communities to respect and honour the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, unique to Australia.
The Indigenous cultural protocols guide processes when involving Indigenous affairs; from avoiding exposure of sacred sites to speaking to an appropriate representative of a community. It also guides the conduct of reporting on deceased persons in their respected communities.
These guidelines were the result of the sector building better respect and relationships with the Indigenous communities across Australia and to reflect the diversity within the country.
“Respecting Indigenous protocols is such an important process for us an Indigenous channel and our role as the leading voice of Indigenous media," said NITV Channel Manager Tanya Denning.
, in the case of the deceased members in the Indigenous community protocols for mourning may vary for different clan groups and different individuals.
However, it’s common practice that when there is a member of the community that has deceased, the person’s name is changed due to cultural beliefs and the images of that person are suppressed. This maybe just for a period of time, some cases could vary between six-to-12 months, but liaising with the community is paramount.
Journalists and reporters should be aware that:
The most comprehensive set of guidelines for journalists, filmmakers, producers and documentary makers has been developed by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
Cultural protocol at the ABC:
Journalists and documentary makers should be aware that images and voices of long-deceased persons — for example, in archival footage and photographs — may cause distress to Indigenous people.
includes a warning that the ABC uses at the beginning of programs, on its website and radio, to alert Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers, listeners and readers:
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following program may contain images and voices of deceased persons.
The statement is copyright of the ABC Indigenous Programs Unit and media operatives can seek permission to use this for their own programs by contact
Media workers are also reminded that the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance includes in its Code of Ethics the need to 'respect private grief and personal privacy'.
The MEAA Code of Ethics:
The commercial television industry in Australia also has a, which contains advisory notes on:
Another useful resource for media is a book titled Signposts - A guide for journalists to reporting Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and ethnic affairs , by Kitty Eggerking and Diana Plater. The guide is published by the Australian Centre of Independent Journalism and is available for purchase on the
Originally published atThis country is home to some 200 Indigenous nations and within these nation groups there are varying cultural protocols. Although we have a set of cultural guidelines endorsed by both community and the government, as NITV Channel Manager Tanya Orman-Denning explained.
“Even though we have cultural protocol guidelines we must also remember that every community has their own set of cultural protocols that need to be respected and the best approach is to liaise directly with Indigenous communities remembers as culture protocols may differ from year to year.”
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