Indigenous peoples take steps to reclaim the story media tells about them

CHIANG MAI, Thailand – “The Creator blessed our ancestors with sacred knowledge, so we may cause no harm.”

This was how Gam Shimray, secretary general of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), set the tone for the this year’s Indigenous Voices in Asia Network (IVAN) Exchange recently held in Chiang Mai.

From October 15 to 17, indigenous journalists and advocates from nine countries — Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Japan, Nepal, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand — spoke about reclaiming their narratives, protecting themselves online, and using artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly.

“We’re often seen as relics of the past or helpless victims. This robs us of our agency and distorts our realities,” Akash Poyam, an indigenous journalist from India, said about indigenous communities’ long-running struggle with how mainstream media portrays them.

The gathering focused on empowering Indigenous journalists to reclaim their stories, amplify their voices, and break free from harmful stereotypes.

Indigenous media outlets, despite having limited resources, are leading the charge in amplifying the voices of their communities and tearing down the harmful stereotypes that the media in general has painted about them.

Among the initiatives they shared during the exchange was the revival of indigenous languages, the advocacy for justice in their reporting, and the use platforms like Facebook and YouTube to disseminate their stories.

Local initiatives across Asia

The following are among the ways indigenous journalists tackle media misrepresentation and digital security threats in their countries:

• In the Philippines, indigenous journalists in the Cordilleras and Mindanao advocate for land rights and fight mainstream misrepresentation despite facing constant security risks. The Philippine Ethical Framework on Artificial Intelligence is helping Filipino journalists boost their reporting of issues while protecting cultural knowledge and not reinforcing negative stereotypes. It was developed in 2023 by Internews in collaboration with national and regional newsrooms.
• In Nepal, indigenous communities face hurdles accessing media, from language barriers to the digital divide. Social media is often exploited to take advantage of vulnerable groups. Despite these challenges, indigenous-led community radio and TV stations continue to push for more inclusive content.
• Bangladesh is home to over 54 indigenous groups, but the government officially recognizes only 50, affecting the rights of the rest. They are also grappling with online hate and cyberattacks. In response, IPNEWS BD was launched, focusing on audio-visual storytelling and investigative reporting. This initiative empowers indigenous youth, despite facing challenges like limited resources.
• In Japan, the Ryukyu indigenous community struggles to make their voices heard, especially when mainstream media focuses more on political issues and United States military presence. Riku Akanmī Uchinā from LewChews shared that digital platforms are being developed to preserve Ryukyuan culture. However, AI poses new risks, as it could misappropriate indigenous knowledge.
• In Malaysia, the Community Journalism Through Audio Storytelling project, led by Amanda W. Mojilip, is equipping indigenous youth with the skills to tell their stories. Participants learn interviewing, scriptwriting, and audio production techniques, allowing them to cover important topics like biodiversity and climate change.
• Taiwan is also making strides with initiatives like Taiwan Indigenous Television (TITV), which amplifies indigenous voices and works to preserve cultural knowledge through digital media.
• In Cambodia, the Indigenous Youth Media Network (CIYMN) uses social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube to empower young people to advocate for their communities.

Digital threats

Beyond AI, the conversation also touched on the growing digital threats indigenous journalists face, such as red-tagging, surveillance, cyberattacks, and online harassment. Doxxing and disinformation campaigns are increasingly used to silence indigenous voices. The participants discussed how important it is to strengthen digital security and protect indigenous data sovereignty as AI becomes more prevalent.

The IVAN Exchange ended with a call to action: mainstream newsrooms need to diversify, journalism schools should teach indigenous perspectives, and more support must be given to indigenous journalists and media outlets.

The 2024 IVAN Exchange was sponsored by the East West Management Institute (EWMI) and Open Society Foundations (OSF). – Rappler.com