Journalists bear the responsibility of disseminating clear, fair and undistorted information. In the face of a global health pandemic, more than ever, we look toward the media as a source of accurate and up-to-date data and information that will keep us safe. Yet mainstream media have repeatedly failed Indigenous people, often spreading misinformation, perpetuating stereotypes, triggering painful memories or heightening fear.
In this provocative webinar moderated by Candis Callison, Indigenous journalists Angela Sterritt and Stephanie Wood will discuss the responsibilities and challenges of covering the COVID-19 pandemic in Indigenous contexts. Panelists will draw on their own experiences, as well as other recent media examples, to discuss the nuanced and complex nature of Indigenous reporting, including its unique ethical considerations. They will share ways that Indigenous reporting, approached with respect, care and compassion, can lead to safer outcomes for all.
Moderated by:
Candis Callison is an Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Journalism and in the Institute for Critical Indigenous Studies and a member of the Tahltan Nation. Her research and teaching are focused on changes to media practices and platforms, journalism ethics, the role of social movements in public discourse, and understanding how issues related to science and technology become meaningful for diverse publics.
Candis is the co-author of Reckoning: Journalism’s Limits and Possibilities and the author of How Climate Change Comes to Matter: The Communal Life of Facts.
About the Presenters:
Angela Sterritt is an award-winning journalist, author, artist and keynote speaker. A proud member of the Gitxsan Nation, Angela has worked as a journalist for close to twenty years and has been with the CBC since 2003. Her reports have appeared in the Globe and Mail, The National, CBC’s The Current, and various other national and local news programs. She currently works with CBC Vancouver as a television, radio and online reporter. Read her complete BIO here.
Stephanie Kwetásel’wet Wood is a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh journalist living and writing in North Vancouver. Steph writes stories about Indigenous rights, the arts, sustainability and social justice. She has worked with The Tyee, Media Indigena, CBC, CiTR 101.9 FM, and National Observer. She earned her Master of Journalism degree at the University of British Columbia. Her best days are spent wandering through the North Shore mountains.