Indigenous media are important for enabling freedom of expression for 478 million Indigenous peoples across the world. Indigenous media not only enrich society with news on Indigenous issues but more significantly, provide a public platform for including Indigenous peoples in national public conversations. Media established and run by Indigenous peoples can provide access to timely and accurate information, tackling global challenges such as poverty, climate change or health crisis, and contributing to dialogue for peace and stability in the world.

The development of Indigenous media was addressed at a recent stakeholder meeting organized by UNESCO on 18 April 2023, in partnership with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, the Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) and Whakaata Māori (Māori Television), in the margins of the 22^nd session of UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII).

Indigenous community media support democracy and help Indigenous peoples to implement the right to self-determination; they also strengthen Indigenous peoples’ organizations.

Francisco Calí TzaySpecial Rapporteur of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous media are often side-lined by mainstream and private media and face a range of challenges including competition from commercial broadcasters, keeping pace with the rapid transition from analogue to digital media and operating in the digital market with reduced financial and human resources. Government support is needed to ensure that Indigenous media can function on an equal footing with other media.

Legal recognition is important for Indigenous media as it contributes to the preservation, revitalization and promotion of Indigenous languages, cultures and identity… More support is needed from governments for the development of Indigenous media.

Aluki KotierkMember of UNPFII and President of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (Canada)

Participants at the session heard how over the past few decades, Indigenous media in New Zealand have become part of the national media landscape.

Māori TV was set up as national broadcasting media; it is publicly owned, driven, led and managed by Maori. The future of Indigenous media lies with us. It calls on us to unite and collaborate, to work together as practitioners and organizations.

Shane TaurimaCEO, Whakaata Māori (Māori Indigenous Television)

Media are integral to the Indigenous movement. Broadcasting in 17 different languages, Indigenous media provide access to information and engage remote communities on important issues, such as climate change impacts. Further efforts are being made to replicate our success in India, Bangladesh, Malaysia and the Philippines through cable television, and to share content among media organizations.

Dev Kumar SunuwarChairperson and Co-founder of Indigenous Television in Nepal

The summarizes seven actions for the development of Indigenous media:

Promotion of human rights through the effective functioning of Indigenous media
Formal recognition and supportive media policies
Financial viability and access to resources for Indigenous media
Utilization of digital media and content production relevant to Indigenous peoples
Reclaiming the narrative and raising awareness about Indigenous issues
Preparedness of Indigenous media for emergency and crisis situations
Collaboration, partnerships, and knowledge sharing among Indigenous media

UNESCO further advocates for the inclusion of Indigenous peoples matters, issues and languages in mainstream media, be them private or public media.