This paper reports on some initial findings from the Print Media Project, an investigation based on a large database consisting of over 600 items of news reportage. In particular, it examines a supposed “crime wave” in 1991 and early 1992 and the presumed involvement in it of Aboriginal youth. While it finds some evidence for a mismatch between the news coverage of youth-crime and actual crime data, the report also argues that a complex set of relations between news sources, news participants and the press itself is responsible for this effect. It also finds equally complex issues surrounding (a) reportage on Aboriginal youth and (b) participation by Aboriginal individuals and groups in the production of news.
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