Ethical and Culturally Responsive Listening in the Media Coverage of Indigenous Sámi People’s Human Rights

Abstract

This qualitative study investigates the relationship between media coverage and ethical and culturally responsive listening in the context of the Sámi people, Europe’s sole indigenous group, and their third-generation human rights. The analysis of narrative functions of online news articles (n = 13) reveals how narratives surrounding the Sámi intersect with ethical and culturally responsive listening principles. The study presents two conclusions: Media narratives successfully integrate diverse voices and perspectives, aligning with ethical and culturally responsive practices. These narratives actively enable authentic representations of Sámi culture and human rights. However, the study also detects underlying inconsistencies in narratives and questions the attribution of human agency. These findings underscore the need for more culturally sensitive media narratives about Indigenous communities. They emphasize the complexities of decolonizing communication, even when ethical and culturally responsive elements appear on the surface. Overall, this research advances the discourse on media representations of Indigenous communities and emphasizes the significance of ethical and culturally responsive listening in fostering more equitable representations.