Media representations of violence and school closure in an Indigenous community

What is it about?

In May 2016 violence perpetrated by young people against the teachers and principal of the only school in the remote Indigenous community of Aurukun, in Australia, led to the school's closure. This paper presents a critical discourse analysis of media responses to these events.

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Why is it important?

My findings show that negative perceptions of Indigenous people as violent or threatening, and Indigenous parents as failing in their role, were solidified in this coverage. This is despite the lack of any apparent ill-will on the part of reporters. These findings contribute to our understanding of the way deracialised discourse can nonetheless be racist.