Online media: Investigating the use of online media in the global
Indigenous public sphere
INFORMATION SHEET
Chief Investigator
Dr Elizabeth Burrows
Griffith University
School of Humanities
Gold Coast campus
Queensland 4222, Australia
Telephone: 0401 064 262
+61 (0)7 555 27365
Email: e.burrows@griffith.edu.au
Why is the research being conducted?
Dr Elizabeth Burrows, who works for Griffith University in Australia, is investigating the role
online media (broadcast, newspapers, social media and blogs) play in both Indigenous and
mainstream public sphere discussions about news and issues affecting Indigenous people
and communities. This study considers who the producers of this online content are and why
they produce this work in its various forms. In addition, Dr Burrows is researching how
online content producers perceive their audience and she will examine online news
identification, gathering and production processes.
The internet has been heralded as having the potential to provide a more democratic space
in which individuals and communities can debate matters of concern to them and society.
Historically, Indigenous people have been excluded from mainstream media discussions
about their lives, decisions relating to them or problems they are experiencing. This study
therefore interrogates whether the internet’s potential to produce more democratic access
to public sphere discussions (Indigenous and mainstream) has been realised or is likely to be
realised in terms of contemporary issues affecting Indigenous communities globally. It will
consider community access to the internet and if having the ability to produce and share
online content is breaking down gatekeeper barriers and providing greater access for
Indigenous and non-Indigenous communicators to participate in an un-moderated way in
Indigenous and mainstream public sphere discussions. Questions around the availability of
resources and journalism/production training required to produce content will also be
examined.
To produce a global picture, this long-term study will (in different stages) investigate global
media produced primarily for an Indigenous audience that are produced for the online
environment or are shared online.
What you will be asked to do
Completion of an online survey
As a participant in the project, you will be asked to complete an online survey. If you agree
to participate content from your online survey may be used in academic conference
presentations, academic articles or as part of an online blog to provide community
information about the use of online media globally.
Your completion of the survey will be seen as your consent to participate in this stage of this
project.
Invitation to be interviewed
In a later stage of this project you may also be invited to participate in a face-to-face or
telephone interview. This conversation will be recorded and, with your permission, excerpts
from audio or video material may also be used in academic conference presentations,
academic articles, or as part of an online blog. You will be asked to give your consent to be
interviewed and you can do this either verbally or in writing. Your permission will also be
sought to use any recorded material. You can refuse to have any recorded material used in
any way other than as an accurate record of the interview.
The basis by which participants are selected
You have been chosen to participate in this study because of your involvement with some
form of media that specifically focuses on Indigenous affairs. You may be a journalist, editor,
producer, publisher, blogger or social media producer or commentator who contributes to
Indigenous media.
The expected benefits of the research
You will not benefit personally from this research, although the expected benefits of this
research include a greater understanding of how and why various forms of media are being
produced that specifically relate to Indigenous people and communities. Through a range of
academic and non-academic publications, conference presentations and an online blog that
will provide mainstream access to this work, it is hoped this research will begin to map the
wide range of Indigenous media available, who the producers are and why they produce
online content or share their content online. A key goal of this study is to develop a clearer
sense of whether online media can help enhance democratic discussions including and
relating to Indigenous people.
Risks to you
We do not foresee any risks to you in taking part in this research. You can refuse to complete
the online survey, or to participate in interviews and up until three months after an
interview takes place. You can refuse to allow any recordings to be broadcast publicly.
Should you wish to withdraw your participation within three months of an interview, you
can email or telephone Dr Burrows at e.burrows@griffith.edu.au to inform her of your
decision.
Your confidentiality
While it is expected most participants will be named, if you prefer to participate
anonymously or you want specific information you provide to be communicated
anonymously you can specify this. An option to participate anonymously will be provided
within the online survey. Should you want to provide specific information anonymously, you
can also communicate this information to Dr Burrows by email. A record will be kept of your
choice to be referred to by name or anonymously. A record will also be kept of your
permission to use any audio/video recordings made.
All printed data including survey information, interviews and recordings will be held in a
locked filing cabinet in a locked office. Only the primary researcher will have access to these
materials.
Your participation is voluntary
Your participation in this research is voluntary. You may withdraw your participation from
the study within three months of an interview being completed. After this it is possible
publications or conference proceedings may have taken place and withdrawal would be
more difficult although not impossible.
Questions / further information
This research project will be undertaken and managed by Dr Elizabeth Burrows. If you have
any questions or concerns about this research project you can contact Dr Burrows on (07)
555 27365 or through her email address e.burrows@griffith.edu.au.
Feedback to you
As the stage of research including your participation is completed you will be sent a link to
the public blog site that will include information about the project and
publications/conference presentations relating to the work.
Privacy Statement
The conduct of this research involves the collection, access and possible use of your
identified personal information. As outlined elsewhere in this information sheet, with your
permission, your identified personal information may appear in the publications/reports
arising from this research. This will only occur with your consent. Any additional personal
information collected is confidential and will not be disclosed to third parties without your
consent, except to meet government, legal or other regulatory authority requirements. A
de-identified copy of this data may be used for other research purposes. However, your
anonymity will at all times be safeguarded, except where you have consented otherwise. For
further information consult the University’s Privacy Plan at
http://www.griffith.edu.au/privacy-plan or telephone (07) 3735 4375.
Online media: Investigating the use of online media in the global
Indigenous public sphere
INTERVIEW CONSENT FORM
Research
Team
Dr Elizabeth Burrows
School of Humanities/Griffith Centre for Cultural Research
07 3802 2774
e.burrows@griffith.edu.au
CONSENT STATEMENT
Can you sign in the space provided below or verbally agree to participate in this
interview:I confirm that I have read and understood the information package and in particular have
noted that:


my involvement in this research will include participating in either a face-to-face
or telephone interview.
the interview will be recorded and the extracts from this video or audio recording
may be used in an online blog or conference presentations.

I understand I can withdraw my participation until three months after the
interview. I understand I can refuse to have any recordings used in any way other
than to ensure an accurate transcript of the interview;

I have had any questions answered to my satisfaction;

I understand the risks involved;

I understand that there will be no direct benefit to me from my participation in
this research;

I understand that my participation in this research is voluntary;

I understand that if I have any additional questions I can contact the research
team;

I understand that I am free to withdraw up to three months after the interview;

I understand that I can contact the Manager, Research Ethics, at Griffith
University Human Research Ethics Committee on 3735 5585 (or researchethics@griffith.edu.au) if I have any concerns about the ethical conduct of the
project; and

I agree to participate in the project.
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