Seven launches inaugural RAP after report criticises on-screen diversity
Seven West Media has taken its first steps to strengthen its relationship with First Nations communities, launching its inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
This comes shortly after it was identified as the network with the least on-air cultural diversity among its TV news presenters in an industry report compiled by Media Diversity Australia alongside universities.
The RAP, endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, seeks to embed reconciliation throughout the business and provide Seven with accountability.
[click to enlarge] Source: Who Gets to Tell Australian Stories? 2.0
The report card is the second instalment of ‘Who Gets to Tell Australian Stories?’ series, with the first baseline research laid out in 2020.
Researchers were unable to identify a single Indigenous reporter or presenter at the Seven Network in either 2019 or 2022.
However, Seven has questioned the methodology used in the research, saying that the time period and geographic sources were not inclusive.
A Seven spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, this report does not capture the range of diversity across all of Seven’s news, current affairs, drama, reality, entertainment and sports programming we show year-round. As a new member of Media Diversity Australia, we hope to work constructively on the next report to ensure that the methodology is more robust and the analysis accurately assesses a representative data set.”
“Diversity, equity and inclusion are core values that underpin Seven and we have undertaken a number of steps to recruit more professionals from diverse backgrounds across all areas of the business.”
Seven recently appointed a chief people and culture officer, Lucinda Gemmell.
Seven West Media managing director and CEO, James Warburton, said: “Seven is very proud to launch its Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan and receive accreditation from Reconciliation Australia.”
“We have already commenced our journey and Seven’s RAP cements our commitment to meaningful reconciliation efforts across Australia.”
Devonshire
Seven commissioned emerging artist Brian James Devonshire to create a bespoke artwork, ‘Niina Marni’, to reflect its story.
Seven West Media director of people and culture, Davanh Inthachanh, said: “In our journey towards reconciliation, over the coming year we will increase our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander procurement, create Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment strategies, develop internal policies that enable our people to volunteer time to participate in First Nations peoples charities and community work, and to provide tools, resources and activities to help our people better understand, celebrate and empower First Nations people.”
“We look forward to reporting the progress and next phase of our RAP journey.”
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Darcy Song was a reporter at Mumbrella, covering media owners, adtech and social platforms. She left in October 2023.
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