‘Seeking to be heard’: The role of social and online media in advocating for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and constitutional reform in Australia

Abstract

In 2017 the Uluru Statement from the Heart, a document outlining an Indigenous envisioned path towards constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the creation of an Indigenous ‘Voice to Parliament’, was presented to the Australian government and public. Since its creation, it has been met with a range of responses that have both welcomed and supported its reforms, as well as dismissed and rejected its overall vision. Both mainstream news and social media have played a significant role in shaping discourses surrounding the Statement. Throughout this article we discuss the often misinformed and convoluted characterization of what an Indigenous ‘Voice to Parliament’ entails. We highlight how powerful political voices – such as those of the prime minister, politicians and media moguls – dominate, distort and influence political and pubic conversations surrounding constitutional reform in Australia. Through news conglomerates’ racialized characterization of Indigenous peoples, exclusion of their voices and perspectives and a bias that neglects to hold politicians and other commentators to account, we argue that whilst the movement towards an Indigenous ‘Voice to Parliament’ is often obstructed, it is far from defeated. Increasing numbers of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, inclusive of activists, journalists, academics and lawyers, amongst others, are embracing social and news media as a means to deny and counter their exclusion. This article aims to continue a constructive conversation concerning the need for constitutional recognition through an enshrined voice that guarantees Indigenous participation within the parliamentary process. In doing so, we also call for greater scrutiny and accountability towards how the media portrays and represents Indigenous peoples and their voices.