Answering the critics: Another look at educational initiatives to improve reporting of indigenous and cross-cultural issues

Abstract

Educational efforts to teach new generations of Australian journalism students how to report Indigenous and cross-cultural issues have been condemned by two recent academic assessments (Hartley & McKee, 2000; Deuze, 2001). Serious criticism of this kindfrom high-profile international scholars needs to be considered carefully and, where necessary. contested. This paper questions the effectiveness of the assessment strategies adopted hy these critics. It argues that a different picture of the state of play in this area emerges from consideration of change factors in Australian journalism education. notably the growing interest in the past decade in educational innovation.