National Media Roundtable Report

On 5 August 2026, The Federal Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission, the Office of the NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner and Our Watch came together to convene a national media roundtable to foster improvements in media reporting of domestic, family, sexual and other forms of gender-based violence (DFSV/GBV).

The roundtable brought together more than 60 participants, including media industry and regulatory leaders, journalists, lived experience representatives, researchers, practitioners and government leaders to explore opportunities for strengthening media reporting on DFSV/GBV while maintaining press freedom.

The discussion aimed to inform broader national efforts to improve media practice and public understanding of violence, as well as to identify practical reforms, collaborative opportunities and priorities relevant to the Second Action Plan.

Joint statement

The media plays an important role in shaping how Australians understand domestic, family, sexual and gender-based violence, and in contributing to the national effort to prevent it. When reporting is accurate, trauma-informed and respectful, it can support victim-survivors, challenge harmful attitudes and help prevent gender-based violence. When reporting lacks context, reinforces stereotypes or compromises the dignity and safety of victim-survivors, it can compound harm and undermine prevention efforts.

We heard clearly that improving reporting cannot be the responsibility of individual journalists alone. Lasting change requires a coordinated, system-wide approach, combining strong leadership, capability building, greater accountability and stronger complaints mechanisms, lived experience expertise and ongoing collaboration across the media ecosystem.

The roundtable demonstrated a strong appetite to build on the significant work already underway and turn this discussion into sustained, coordinated action across the media ecosystem. By continuing to work together, we can strengthen reporting that is respectful, accurate and grounded in prevention, and harness the power of the media to help prevent gender-based violence.

We thank everyone who contributed their expertise, experiences and perspectives to this important discussion, and look forward to building on this work together.

Micaela Cronin, Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner

Dr Hannah Tonkin, NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner

Patty Kinnersly, CEO, Our Watch

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