Caught in Translation: Exploring Media Language Dynamics Between Mi’kmaw and non-Mi’kmaw Commercial Harvesters within Nova Scotia’s Lobster Fishery Disputes

Abstract

The media plays a key role in ensuring that the coverage of Indigenous Peoples reflects their cultural diversity and provides fair, comprehensive, timely, and non-discriminatory accounts. However, Canadian mainstream media often provides problematic, negative and racist portrayals of Indigenous issues, misrepresenting their connections to land, water and natural resources. This distorts public understanding of Indigenous Peoples and hinders their ability to engage in traditions and gain recognition and implementation of their rights. It is essential that breaking news media follow journalistic principles of independence, accuracy, fairness and balance when covering such topics.

The 2020 lobster fishery dispute in Saulnierville, NS, between Mi’kmaw and non-Mi’kmaw commercial lobster harvesters was rife with strong emotions and language and led to confrontations on and off the water. This study analyzed 17 breaking news articles, with a deeper examination of six, to assess how language choices in breaking news media impacted the representation of the dispute between Mi’kmaw and non-Mi’kmaw harvesters. The findings revealed that breaking news media coverage failed to follow journalistic principles, focusing more on the conflict than on Mi’kmaw rights to fish for a moderate livelihood or lobster conservation. These results highlight the ongoing challenge of accurately reporting on fisheries disputes. Readers must also critically engage with news reports, recognizing that journalists may not be subject matter experts. Additionally, journalists must prioritize independence, accuracy, fairness and balance to ensure their coverage of Indigenous rights and resource conflicts truly represents those involved and impacted by their coverage