How Media Represent Australian Indigenous Business: Comparing Australian and International Coverage

Maria Raciti; Marnee Shay; Bronwyn Fredericks; Daeul Jeong

doi:10.1002/ajs4.70134

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How Media Represent Australian Indigenous Business: Comparing Australian and International Coverage

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

How Media Represent Australian Indigenous Business: Comparing Australian and International Coverage

Maria Raciti, Marnee Shay, Bronwyn Fredericks and Daeul Jeong

Australian Journal of Social Issues, Vol.Advanced access

26-Aug-2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ajs4.70134

Appears in UniSC Supported Open Access Outputs

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Abstract

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Indigenous business

economic participation

indigenist research

media representation

policy framing

social inclusion

Media representations of Indigenous business shape public perceptions, investor confidence and consumer demand, influencing how Indigenous enterprises are valued and understood. This Indigenous-led study systematically reviews grey literature on Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses published between 2006 and 2024, analysing 1256 records from Australian and international outlets. Using an Indigenist research approach and applying PRISMA protocols, it examines how different geopolitical and cultural contexts construct Australian Indigenous economic participation. Findings show that Australian media attention fluctuates around policy milestones, especially the Indigenous Procurement Policy. Australian outlets often apply a dual framing logic, combining deficit-oriented scrutiny of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations with supportive portrayals of private enterprise and government-led initiatives. International coverage, led by India and the United States, has expanded steadily in line with diplomatic, policy, and trade interests. These outlets more often frame Australian Indigenous business as evidence of progressive national policy. Although Indigenous Australian voices appear more frequently over time, their narrative authority has declined, and deficit framings remain. The study shows that media shape not only how Australian Indigenous business is described but also how it is publicly understood. Strengthening media and policy practices that centre Australian Indigenous voices is essential for future economic narratives.

Details

Title: How Media Represent Australian Indigenous Business: Comparing Australian and International Coverage
Authors: Maria Raciti (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Marnee Shay (Author) - The University of Queensland
Bronwyn Fredericks (Author) - The University of Queensland
Daeul Jeong (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Publication details: Australian Journal of Social Issues, Vol.Advanced access
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
DOI: 10.1002/ajs4.70134
ISSN: 1839-4655
Copyright note: © 2026 The Author(s). Australian Journal of Social Issues published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australian Social Policy Association. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.
Data Availability: Research data are not shared.
Grants: ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures, CE230100027, Australian Research Council (Australia, Canberra) - ARC
Organisation Unit: School of Business and Creative Industries; Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991251597702621
Output Type: Journal article

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