Whiteness in the Press: A Critical Examination of Responses to the Federal Racial Vilification Law after Eatock v Bolt

Abstract

Using whiteness theory, a subset of critical race theory, this paper analyses responses in The Australian broadsheet newspaper to the highly publicised racial vilification case of Eatock v Bolt. The paper firstly provides a brief introduction to whiteness theory as a critical lens through which to examine law and legal process. The paper then uses this lens to outline the key features of the federal racial vilification law. Secondly, the paper provides an account of the Federal Court’s decision in Eatock v Bolt and the realities of the decision. The second half of the paper introduces the key case study of the thesis, The Australian newspaper, and dissects the nature and extent of the newspaper’s opinion journalism devoted to the Eatock v Bolt decision. The paper concludes that commentary such as that in the The Australian gives momentum to threats to wind back the federal racial vilification law and further entrenches white privilege in public discourse.