Journalism volunteers cover Indigenous health
Eleven UQ journalism student volunteers are reporting the international Indigenous Health Knowledge and Development Network conference on St Lucia campus this week.
Our photograph shows the UQ Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Education), Professor Cindy Shannon being interviewed in the JacTV mobile studio by journalism student Nicole Rowles.
Sessional academic, and former ABC broadcaster, Bruce Woolley, who is mentoring and coaching the students, says, “They are writing copy stories, illustrating them with their own photojournalism, packaging radio news features, producing television reports, hosting their own television interviews in studio, and posting it all to our special conference website where it can be viewed by the delegates and their family and friends around the world.”
Here is the website (http://inihkd2012.com/)
Professor Shannon said, “For me, this is a really novel, great way of teaching, and I hope that it’s been good exposure and a good grounding.”
“From a reporting point of view, I would hope it gives some sensitivity to both the way in which things are reported, and the sorts of things you report on in an indigenous context. The media hasn’t always had that sensitivity.”
Reporting the conference provides students with the opportunity not only to meet and interview Indigenous people from Australia, but also from North America, which is particularly pleasing to Bruce Woolley, who spent two decades at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Nicole Rowles said: “Reporting at the INIHKD Conference is more than a practical experience; it’s a professional experience, whereby we’re required to create work that is of industry standard for a deadline, and within the context of cultural consideration and sensitivity. I’m so very grateful to the University of Queensland and to the INIHKD officials for offering this invaluable educational experience.”
Another volunteer journalism student Ashleigh Weidmann said, "Learning about different cultures' wellbeing and traditions has allowed me to gain experience firsthand. Interviewing, editing, researching and working with fellow students and teachers has made me realise my passion for journalism. I am extremely grateful for having had this opportunity."
The project is part of the School’s ongoing commitment to working with and engaging Indigenous communities.
