Ageing should be celebrated yet the Australian Human Rights Commission finds ageism rife in mainstream media

Robert Fitzgerald AM, Age Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission, has released new research ‘Shaping Perceptions: How Australian Media Reports on Ageing’.

It made three findings:

• There are known and real issues with Australian media portrayals of ageing and older people;
• Australian media representations reflect a broader mainstream culture that undervalues older people, and
• Australian media representations are underpinned by specific drivers in the media industry.

“It is vital that older people are humanised and represented in mainstream culture, with their voices amplified, and the issues they face told in an accurate and inclusive way,” Commissioner Fitzgerald said. 

“A strong, collaborative partnership between the media industry and the aged sector is essential to achieve this. I look forward to working with them both to create a media landscape which respects our older population and accurately reports on the issues they face.”

Patricia Sparrow, Chief Executive Officer of COTA Australia, a leading advocacy organisation for older people, said the issues with media reporting of older people and their issues are indicative of ageist attitudes in society at large.

“The Human Rights Commission’s new report has confirmed what we have all known for a while – that ageism is a scourge that continues to persist in all aspects of life in Australia,” she said.

“As the report has shown, we’re seeing too much media representation which exploits negative stereotypes of older adults, using sensationalist headlines that stoke intergenerational tensions. This practice is not only misguided but deeply harmful.

“As Australian lifespans continue to grow, so do the consequences of age-based discrimination. It’s time we recognise ageism for the serious issue it is. With the number of Australians aged 65 and over set to more than double in the next four decades, tackling ageism is important for us all.”

The release of the Commission’s study coincides with this year’s International Day of Older Persons theme: “Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide”.

Read the Human Rights Commission’s report here.