More Natives = better coverage

Reading Red 2008

New report focuses on Indian media representationsAs a result of two years worth of study, NAJA found that coverage in areas with large numbers of Natives tended to be more neutral in tone regarding American Indian issues. NAJA officials are encouraged that in these coverage areas, too, there tended to be large amounts of articles focused on Indian education and health.

At the same time, even in these better coverage areas, more than 75 percent of sources relied upon and quoted in the media were non-Natives. Azocar, a member of the Upper Mattaponi Tribe of the Powhatan Nation, said it's important for journalists to reach out to Indian sources when writing about Indian issues.Comment:  For more on the subject, see Native Journalism:  To Tell the Truth.