PRESS RELEASE

AI, geopolitics & regression: New report highlights challenges facing Indigenous journalism

27 August 2026
A new study, commissioned by NRK Sápmi and produced by the Public Media Alliance, explores how media freedom, artificial intelligence, and geopolitical tensions are pressuring Indigenous journalism.

Indigenous journalists around the world are facing growing challenges with declining press freedom, tighter resources, and the looming risks posed by AI to Indigenous languages and narrative sovereignty. 

These are some of the key findings from a new report, One Shared Future: Amplifying Indigenous Voices, published today by the Public Media Alliance and commissioned by NRK Sápmi, ahead of the 2026 WIBN Conference which is taking place in Kárášjohka/Karasjok – Guovdageaidnu/Kautokeino on 2-3 September. 

The report was authored by Jamie Tahana, a Māori journalist, writer and broadcaster from Aotearoa New Zealand. Tahana previously authored the 2024 report, How public service media reach and reflect Indigenous audiences. 

Drawing on surveys with media organisations and in-depth interviews with Indigenous leaders from across both Indigenous media and national public service broadcasters, the report explored key themes of the conference, including: narrative sovereignty, accountability, geopolitical tensions, press freedom, AI development, and collaboration. 

Download report [PDF]

A portrait front cover of a report. An image takes up the whole page. The image shows reddish ground with shrubs in the distance. Two reindeer are walking from right to left. On the horizon, you can see an outline of mountains. The text on top of the image reads:

“The opportunity to come together as Indigenous journalists, makers, creators, broadcasters and executives is a special opportunity. While we are all unique and diverse, so many of our challenges are shared, and there are so many success stories we can all build upon.

“What struck me was that while there was a lot of concern about the state of the media industry, there was also a lot of optimism. Indigenous storytelling has been around for millennia – it’s evolved and adapted to the pressures of colonisation, and it can do so to the challenges of technology and AI. In fact, Indigenous creators seem more ready for the challenge than many others.” 

– Jamie Tahana, Author

“We commissioned this report to explore some of the most pressing issues facing Indigenous media; to highlight various initiatives and case studies that can inspire; and to ask critical questions to challenge and motivate us.

“I believe two forces in particular pose a severe threat to the work of Indigenous media today. First, a turbulent geopolitical climate driven by great powers threatens Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination and yet again marginalises their narratives. Secondly, freedom of expression continues to be an unequally distributed privilege.

“How do we meet these challenges? We do it together. We must build international alliances, and share best practices and technological innovations. We need to take bold steps to reach and serve our audiences; challenge and hold to account our media colleagues; and support one another. Most importantly, we must champion our own voices, and believe that we hold the power to drive the change we want for ourselves.” 

– Johan Ailo Kalstad, Director, NRK Sápmi

Key findings from the report include:

  • From Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) to Taiwan, media coverage of major geopolitical news stories risks excluding Indigenous perspectives and portraying Indigenous Peoples as passive actors in world affairs, rather than people with agency.
  • Worsening levels of press freedom, lack of legal recognition, threats and violence, are affecting Indigenous media and journalists, and undermining their ability to hold authorities accountable. 
  • In an era of big tech and rapid AI platform growth, Indigenous narrative and data sovereignty risk being consumed and overridden. However, such technology also carries great opportunity to develop Indigenous-led AI models, which can support language revitalisation. 
  • A form of regressive politics is coming to the fore, impacting diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) or affirmative policies, while also encouraging online abuse, racism and harassment towards Indigenous journalists. 
  • Language, cultural celebration, and renaissance remain central to maintaining trust with audiences, while in a fragmented media environment, there are many new ways for Indigenous content makers to reach Indigenous audiences. Meanwhile more than ever, Indigenous stories and narratives such as Oro Jaska, Chief of War and North of North, are finding global appeal.
Download report [PDF]
About the report:

The Public Media Alliance (PMA) was commissioned and funded to produce this report by public broadcaster NRK Sápmi, ahead of the of the World Indigenous Broadcasters Network (WIBN) conference 2026, hosted by NRK Sápmi in Kárášjohka/Karasjok – Guovdageaidnu/Kautokeino. 

PMA thanks NRK Sápmi for their kind support and to all interviewees and stakeholders who contributed to this report.

PMA is also deeply grateful to the WIBN secretariat, board and members for their input and endorsement for this report.

A special thanks is given to the report’s author, Jamie Tahana, for his dedication and expertise. 

For more information, please contact Yusra Malik, Communications Officer: yusra@publicmediaalliance.org
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