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How ageing and older people are portrayed in the media has drawn the attention of the Age Discrimination Commission. It commissioned a study, Shaping perceptions: How Australian Media Reports on Ageing, that analysed news reports across Australia’s major networks.
Dozens of prominent journalists, communications professionals, and academics were interviewed.
The study found a culture of negativity in the media towards ageing, which either overlooks or minimises important issues, excludes older people’s personal experiences, or portrays them as an economic or social burden.
These perceptions are underpinned by a broader culture of ageism in the industry and in the wider Australian community.