Psychologists reside in a world saturated by media. We work in professional
contexts where guidelines for practice foreground ethical obligations to address
issues of social justice. This paper addresses both these contextual dimensions
of psychological research and practice. We explore the social significance of
increased media production by Maori in challenging the tendency in mainstream
media to marginalize Maori concerns while promoting Pakeha perspectives. The
analysis focuses on the recent 'Inside Out documentary - Hikoi', which was
initiated by two young Maori women as a challenge to media framing of Maori
protests as 'unjustified' and 'disruptive' acts. We illustrate how this documentary
furthers public dialogue regarding the foreshore and seabed controversy by
promoting an alternative depiction of a Maori protest, which emphasize the
history of grievances and social unity. The implications of such representations
for psychologists working to address issues of social justice and to challenge abuses of symbolic power are discussed.
