Migrant communities and the media

24 May 2001

The Graduate School of Journalism at the University of Wollongong is researching the effectiveness of the local media in its coverage of concerns of migrant communities in the Illawarra with the school's Community Harmony through Cross Cultural News Reporting Project.

Funded by the Community Relations Commission for a Multicultural New South Wales (formerly the Ethnic Affairs Commission), a survey/questionnaire produced by the school, was sent to those involved with promoting or communicating the interests of the migrant community to the public either through the media or in their daily work.

Data collected from the survey will provide the basis for a series of Dialogue Sessions aiming to:

• assist migrant organisations in the Illawarra by raising concerns with the mainstream media,
• enhance awareness of migrant issues,
• facilitate better communication between the media and migrant communities, and
• assist in the development of a 'media relation's handbook'.

The first Dialogue Session will be held on Wednesday 30 May, to discuss the data collated.

Dr Eric Loo, Head of Graduate School of Journalism, hopes the session attracts migrant community workers concerned with their representation in the media. The session will be facilitated by Mr Padmar Iyer (part-time lecturer for the School of Journalism and journalist for The Illawarra Mercury).

The session will be held in the Faculty of Creative Arts, at the University of Wollongong, (Building 25, Room 128) on Wednesday 30 May, from 10am to 2pm with a light lunch provided.

For further information contact: Dr Eric Loo on 4221 4487.