It took days for this story to appear on commercial news | Media Watch

Key Concepts:

• Indigenous deaths in custody
• Police restraint and use of force
• Media coverage (ABC vs. commercial networks)
• Journalistic responsibility
• National shame (referring to the treatment of Indigenous Australians)

Kumanjayi White's Death and Initial Coverage

• A 24-year-old intellectually disabled Aboriginal man, Kumanjayi White, died after being restrained by plain clothes police in an Alice Springs supermarket.
• The incident occurred two weeks prior to the report.
• The ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) gave the story prominent coverage, leading with it on their local news that night.
• NT (Northern Territory) Police are investigating the death, and the Coles supermarket was declared a crime scene and shut to customers.
• Witness accounts reported in the NT News allege a police officer placed his knee behind White's head, despite warnings from his friends about his disability.
• Police claim White had assaulted a security guard who caught him concealing items in his clothing.
• Prior to White's death, there had already been 12 Indigenous deaths in custody across Australia in the first five months of the year.

Lack of Coverage by Commercial Networks

• Millions of Australians who rely on free-to-air commercial TV (Sunrise, Today, and evening bulletins on Channels 7, 9, and 10) were "left in the dark" about Kumanjayi White's death.
• The report found "not a whisper" of the story on these commercial networks.
• After inquiries were sent to the commercial networks, Channels 7 and 10 "developed an interest" and published stories about White's death.

Arguments and Perspectives

• The ABC is praised for giving "full-throated coverage" to the story, highlighting the importance of reporting on Indigenous deaths in custody.
• The commercial networks are criticized for their lack of initial coverage, raising questions about journalistic responsibility and priorities.
• The lack of coverage is particularly troubling for those in the NT who rely on free-to-air commercial news, as they are getting "very little journalism altogether," even on issues of national significance.
• The phrase "our most abiding national shame" is used to describe the ongoing issue of Indigenous deaths in custody and the broader treatment of Indigenous Australians.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The death of Kumanjayi White highlights the ongoing issue of Indigenous deaths in custody in Australia. While the ABC provided significant coverage, the initial silence from commercial networks raises concerns about journalistic priorities and the accessibility of information for those reliant on free-to-air commercial news, particularly in the Northern Territory. The incident underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in cases involving Indigenous Australians and the justice system.