Date of Graduation

12-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Journalism (MA)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Journalism

Advisor/Mentor

Foley, Larry D.

Committee Member

McCaffrey, Raymond

Second Committee Member

Matlock, Marty D.

Keywords

Indigenous; Journalism; Native American; Press Freedom

Abstract

Tribal media – media outlets often operated by a tribe for a Native audience – are an indispensable public service to their communities. They are relied upon for news and information about current events and governmental actions, and often reinforce cultural and community values. These outlets are often financially subsidized by the tribal government if the operation is too small or geographically remote to generate the revenue necessary for financial independence. Herein lies a central dilemma: Can tribal media, under the influence of tribal governments, serve as an independent voice free of political interference and capable of fair and truthful reporting in tribal communities? The purpose of this research is to examine: communications theories to provide conceptual frameworks that contextualize the role of tribal media in Native communities; a brief history of some developmental milestones in the Native American media landscape; how tribal governments have enshrined the right to a free press in their constitutions; how press freedom is perceived by both producers and consumers of tribal media; and the specific threats to press freedom found within the four corners of the research. By employing conceptual frameworks that analyze the relative strengths of press protections in constitutions, several methods tribal governments may use to exert undue influence, and how the data shows an erosion of trust in press freedom, this thesis reveals that undue influence may be at work in manipulating the news and information published by some tribal media. While tribal media will likely continue to be dependent on tribal governments for financial support, policy solutions can and should be pursued to ensure a vibrant, culturally relevant, and editorially independent tribal media landscape.

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