Historically, culture is based on the process of sharing and exchanging concepts and perceptions created or observed by people. As a space where individuals communicate and express their opinions, the public sphere is a cornerstone of culture (Lattimore, Baskin, Heiman, Toth, 2012). Nowadays, there are no means that exceed media, social media in particular, in shaping culture and societal perceptions. When it comes to protecting and supporting indigenous groups, it is highly important to pay close attention to media and how it influences indigenous realities. Public relations refer to analyzing trends and their consequences with the purpose of consulting leaders of various organizations (Morris and Goldsworthy, 2011). People who engage in public relations have the power to impact indigenous areas of culture.
Social Media and Indigenous Realities
Social media is where trends tend to be born and can be found and subsequently analyzed. Political opinions and discussions are ripe on websites like Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. When managing such trends, one must be aware of the indigenous people’s input and how their realities affect said input. Indigenous people are often victims of cyberbullying, and their behavior online is, in turn, subject to the scrutiny of the “settler gaze” (Carlson and Frazer, 2020). The response to these challenges has led to indigenous people’s attempts to mediate their activities on social media to avoid conflict. However, social media can be a source of positive development. For example, it gives minorities a platform to express themselves and reach people with similar experiences worldwide.
Benefits of Media Coverage for Non-Profit Organizations
Another instance of positive media influence that a public sphere participant should be aware of is non-profit and charity management, which can be improved with media interference. Generally, leaders and managers of non-profit organizations strive towards media coverage, as it allows them to gain supporters and funds (Fisher Liu, 2012). In this case, indigenous people’s voices can lend support to beliefs they share, acting as a promotion agent, be it a tweet or a post.
Conclusion
Indigenous realities, media, and the public sphere are closely interwoven concepts. In order to properly analyze trends that occur in media, one must take into account indigenous groups’ attitudes, experiences, and capabilities. Media can be a double-edged sword, serving as both a platform for bullying and a space for self-expression and borderless communication and support. It also allows non-profit organizations to reach the public and gain followers.
Reference List
Carlson, B., & Frazer, R. (2020) “They got filters: indigenous social media, the settler gaze, and a politics of hope,” Social Media + Society, 6(2), pp. 1–11.
Fisher Liu, B. (2012) “Toward a better understanding of non-profit communication management,” Journal of Communication Management, 16(4), pp. 388–404.
Lattimore, D., Baskin, O., Heiman, S., Toth, E. (2012). Public relations: the profession and the practice. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Morris, T. and Goldsworthy, S. (2011). PR today: the authoritative guide to public relations. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.