Lorena Allam

Lorena Allam is a multiple Walkley award winning journalist descended from the Yuwalaraay and Gamilaraay people of northwest NSW. After a 30 year career as journalist and broadcaster at the ABC working for News, Triple J, Radio National, TV and online, she joined the Guardian in 2018 as its first Indigenous Affairs editor.

With a longstanding and demonstrated commitment to truth-telling in the media, particularly around Australia's colonial history, Lorena spent a decade producing and presenting history programming for the ABC. In forays outside journalism she worked on the landmark Bringing them Home inquiry, and helmed the Indigenous collection at the National Film and Sound Archive. Lorena's fellowship will investigate the relationship between Indigenous truth-telling initiatives and the media.

Truth-telling processes have the potential to transform Australia. The role of the media will be vitally important. Responsible reporting will require sensitivity and a strong understanding of the historical context in which Indigenous people seek to have their stories told. What could truth telling look like in the media?

How do media organisations come to terms with their own past role in the colonial project?

How could journalism education contribute to the process of understanding? Lorena will travel to countries including Sweden, Norway and Finland where First Nations truth telling processes are underway to see what lessons might be applied to the Australian context.