Print and Broadcast Media in Australia - Coursework Example

PRINT AND BROADCAST MEDIA ANALYSIS RACISM IN AUSTRALIA Name Institution Date Introduction Racism has certainly become the topic of the day, as evidenced by the Australian media that continues to report awful racist claims. In the month of February this year , Jamila Rizvi (Mamamia editor ) , wrote about racism taunts that were directed at Jeremy Fernandez an ABC newsreader, as he travelled on a Sydney bus. That incident as well becomes a hot topic of discussion in the national headlines. Yet again, another incidence racial abuse directed at Asian tourist on a Sidney was recorded. The spread of that video also went viral. Additionally after his visit and filming in Australia, John Oliver (a British news correspondent) reported racism claims in Australia is real (Hodge & Patricia, 2010, n.p). The above illustration is just a tip of the ice bar. According to media reports racism comes in various forms. In the broader sense, it is the perception that a particular race is superior or inferior to others. Racial discrimination will therefore entail any act where an individual is given unfair treatment because of his race, descent, color, ethnic origin, or religion. Racism has a negative influence on the full enjoyment of human rights, and more particularly the right to equality (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2010). In Australia, racism is commonly demonstrated in activities and behaviors that exemplify hate, abuse or violence – particularly directed to groups that are visibly different in regard to culture or physical appearance. The question raised by many is the intervention of the media on this issue. Australian racism is characterized by denials. To some extent such denial is a genuine response that depicts lack of understanding on racism acts. However, to a large extent it is deliberate falsehoods, evasion or misinformation. Perhaps to understand to understand media reaction and coverage on racism it will be important that we focus on a specific racism issue; in this paper we shall look at the Australian controversy in regard to violence against Indians The Australian controversy on violence against Indians In the year 2009, the Australian media, especially in Melbourne publicized reports of robberies and crimes against Indians in Australia that was claimed to racially motivated. Consequently, rallies to address the issue were organized in Melbourne, accompanied with intense media coverage on the perceived hate crimes which were without doubt critical to the Australian Police; and later confirmed by the police as racist in nature, while some were opportunistic. To understand the media coverage on this issue, let us begin with a brief chronology on the violence against the Indians in Australia per se. Chronology Crime statistics The 2007-2008 statics indicate that many Indians (up to a tune of 1,447 Indians) were victims of crimes, robberies and assaults included. However the police failed to release this data to the public on the ground that it was “problematic”, it was also regarded as “prejudiced and open to controversial interpretations (Hodge & Patricia, 2010).” Indian taxi driver protest In the month April 2008, approximately Indian 500 taxi drivers in Melbourne protested over the stabbing of a fellow taxi driver. A similar protest ensued in Adelaide in the month of May 2009, where taxi drivers protested again when an Indian taxi driver was assaulted. The Australian Government subsequently introduced obligatory safety shields later on that year; however it was met with resistance due to the costs involved (Hodge & Patricia, 2010). Indian student protests After the May 2009 event, over four thousand Indian Students got into the streets to protest on the grounds that the Indian attacks were motivated by racism and that the government had failed to handle them adequately. Besides, demanding for more police protection, the students also demanded for a multicultural police division, as well as on-site accommodation for Indian students at all colleges and universities (Hodge & Patricia, 2010, n.p). January 2010 protest on murders The murders of an Indian fruit picker in December 2009 and the murder of a student in January 2010 in Melbourne sparked a major protest in New Delhi in January 2010. The Indian government reacted by issuing a travel advisory to Melbourne Indians, warning of the escalating crime rate, however the Australian government urged Indian leaders to avoid fuelling the “hysteria” (Hodge & Patricia, 2010). Media coverage The Australian media coverage on Indian violence is more or less hysteria (Das, 2010, n.p).The immigration minister of Australia, Chris Evans, argued that the Indian concerns are some relatively hysterical reporting of what's occurred. Andrew Bolt, a columnist in the Herald Sun’s conservative wing further describes it as a “circus” whilst others claim that Indian TV networks ignored or insufficiently addressed the escalating murder in India. On the other hand, the weekly Indian news paper of 8 February 2010, covered a 10-page story on the violence targeted at Indians under the headline "Why the Aussies Hate Us", in which the chief editor argued that the Indian Media reaction to the violence was justified, he further criticized the Australian authorities for displaying a "superior and smug attitude". In fact he accuses the Australian leadership for being “denialsits”. Broadcast Media Television and Radio Without doubt broad cast media has played a critical role in addressing racism in Australia. The common broadcast media being radio and television. Radio and television programs are distributed through broadcasting frequency bands that are highly controlled by the Federal communication commission (Sharma & Sandeep, 2010, p.32). For instance through width band regulations, licensing, types of transmitters and receivers used, and content perceived as acceptable. In a dressing racism, the Australian broadcast media covered the emerging racism protests; however the broad cast media has been criticized for ignoring violence directed at Indians or for insufficiently coverage on the escalating Indian murder cases. An editorial column by Radio Australia on the crimes used words like “media circus” in its headline Film ‘Film’ entails motion pictures to cover a story or individual projects (Sharma & Sandeep, 2010, p.32). Film production encompasses recording people with cameras or by creating them through the use of animation technology. Animation involves use of a series of images shown in a succession to give an illusion of motion to the viewer. Film has been effective in addressing violence in Australia. John Oliver, a British news correspondent, after completion of his filming project branded Australia as awful racists. He covered stories on racism taunts in Australia i.e. directed on non natives; and the video went viral around the world. Film is perceived by many as a tool in relaying information; films enlighten, educate, and inspire audiences. The release of John Oliver’s video served to enlighten the world of the racism plight in Australia. His films become a worldwide attraction, especially with the inclusion of dubbing as well as an addition of subtitles to help in the translation of the film message. Internet Use of the internet is rapidly gaining popularity in the contemporary world as a networking tool. It comprises of a vast network, ranging from domestic level, governmental networks, even to international levels. In the 21st century, with the wide spread nature of World Wide Web the racism issues have spilt over to internet network level. Anyone with access to the web site has the capacity to address a global audience (Sharma & Sandeep, 2010, p.34). Unlike in the conventional way of getting to the streets to demonstrate, young people (especially in colleges and universities) have embraced the use internet to air their grievances. May be this can help the recent and ever growing use of the social media. Use of social media i.e. Face book, twitter, among others has become a norm to many Australians. The development of Internet has enabled quick spread of breaking news stories to global in just a few minutes. This rapid growth of immediate and decentralized communication is often considered by many as means of changing mass media, as well its relationship with society. Use of Internet is swiftly emerging the core of mass media. Everything has become accessible through use of the internet. Rather than relying on newspapers or television for news, individuals can log into the internet to get any kind of news they are looking for. Even government systems rely on the use of Internet to reach its people. Australian government has created websites through which people can get the services they require or air their grievances. Print media Books A book is simply a collection of papers with written texts and bound collectively along a single edge within covers (Nayyar, 2006, p.27). Many authors have written books to address the racism in Australia. Magazine A magazine is simply a periodical publication and usually contains a variety of articles. Magazines are normally published weekly, monthly, or quarterly (Nayyar, 2006, p.28). For instance, the weekly Indian magazine of 8 February 2010, covered a 10-page story on the violence targeted at Indians under the headline "Why the Aussies Hate Us", in which the chief editor argued that the Indian Media reaction to the violence was justified, he further criticized the Australian authorities for displaying a "superior and smug attitude" Newspaper A newspaper is basically a publication containing news and information, usually printed on low-cost paper called newsprint (Nayyar, 2006, p.29). As use of the internet gains popularity, use of news papers has been threatened. Paid distribution is gradually declining in Australia , consequently the advertising revenue, which adds up to the bulk of the newspaper's income, is changing from print to online; some commentators, point out that historically new media such as radio and television did not entirely supersede existence. Conclusion Racism has certainly become the topic of the day, as evidenced by the Australian media that continues to report awful racist claims. The question raised by many is the intervention of the media on this issue. Print media i.e. news papers, magazines and even books have played an important role in addressing the issue. Similarly, use of broad cast media i.e. television, radio encompassed with use of internet in addressing social problems like racism seems to be gaining popularity in modern Australia. References Amanda Hodge,"Editor persists with claims of Australian racism", The Australian (4 February 2010). Australian Human Rights Commission, in our own words African Australians: A review of human rights and social inclusion issues, 2010. At: http://humanrights.gov.au/africanaus/review/index.html. Bulmer, Martin, and John Solomos. Racism. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999. Print. Combating racism in Australia: a discussion paper by the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission for the World Conference Against Racism.. Sydney, NSW: Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 2001. Print. Denmark, Florence. Violence in schools: cross-national and cross-cultural perspectives. New York: Springer, 2005. Print. Hodge, Amanda , and Patricia Karvelas. "Indian protesters burn Rudd effigies outside embassy | News.com.au."News.com.au | News Online from Australia and the World | NewsComAu. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 May 2013. . Healey, Justin. Racism in Australia. Rozelle, N.S.W.: Spinney Press, 2003. Print. Nelson, Harold L., and Dwight L. Teeter, Law of mass communications: freedom and control of print and broadcast media. 4th ed. Mineola, N.Y.: Foundation Press, 1982. Print. Shamsi, Nayyar, Print media. New Delhi, India: Anmol Publications, 2006, pp.26-29. Print. Sharma, Sandeep, Print media and broadcast journalism. Jaipur, India: ABD Publishers, 2010, pp.32-34. Print. Simon, Rita J., and Susan H. Alexander. The ambivalent welcome: print media, public opinion, and immigration. Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 1993. Print. Sushi Das ,"The politics of violence",The Age, Melbourne (13 February 2010). Read More

To understand the media coverage on this issue, let us begin with a brief chronology on the violence against the Indians in Australia per se. Chronology Crime statistics The 2007-2008 statics indicate that many Indians (up to a tune of 1,447 Indians) were victims of crimes, robberies and assaults included. However the police failed to release this data to the public on the ground that it was “problematic”, it was also regarded as “prejudiced and open to controversial interpretations (Hodge & Patricia, 2010).

” Indian taxi driver protest In the month April 2008, approximately Indian 500 taxi drivers in Melbourne protested over the stabbing of a fellow taxi driver. A similar protest ensued in Adelaide in the month of May 2009, where taxi drivers protested again when an Indian taxi driver was assaulted. The Australian Government subsequently introduced obligatory safety shields later on that year; however it was met with resistance due to the costs involved (Hodge & Patricia, 2010). Indian student protests After the May 2009 event, over four thousand Indian Students got into the streets to protest on the grounds that the Indian attacks were motivated by racism and that the government had failed to handle them adequately.

Besides, demanding for more police protection, the students also demanded for a multicultural police division, as well as on-site accommodation for Indian students at all colleges and universities (Hodge & Patricia, 2010, n.p). January 2010 protest on murders The murders of an Indian fruit picker in December 2009 and the murder of a student in January 2010 in Melbourne sparked a major protest in New Delhi in January 2010. The Indian government reacted by issuing a travel advisory to Melbourne Indians, warning of the escalating crime rate, however the Australian government urged Indian leaders to avoid fuelling the “hysteria” (Hodge & Patricia, 2010).

Media coverage The Australian media coverage on Indian violence is more or less hysteria (Das, 2010, n.p).The immigration minister of Australia, Chris Evans, argued that the Indian concerns are some relatively hysterical reporting of what's occurred. Andrew Bolt, a columnist in the Herald Sun’s conservative wing further describes it as a “circus” whilst others claim that Indian TV networks ignored or insufficiently addressed the escalating murder in India. On the other hand, the weekly Indian news paper of 8 February 2010, covered a 10-page story on the violence targeted at Indians under the headline "Why the Aussies Hate Us", in which the chief editor argued that the Indian Media reaction to the violence was justified, he further criticized the Australian authorities for displaying a "superior and smug attitude".

In fact he accuses the Australian leadership for being “denialsits”. Broadcast Media Television and Radio Without doubt broad cast media has played a critical role in addressing racism in Australia. The common broadcast media being radio and television. Radio and television programs are distributed through broadcasting frequency bands that are highly controlled by the Federal communication commission (Sharma & Sandeep, 2010, p.32). For instance through width band regulations, licensing, types of transmitters and receivers used, and content perceived as acceptable.

In a dressing racism, the Australian broadcast media covered the emerging racism protests; however the broad cast media has been criticized for ignoring violence directed at Indians or for insufficiently coverage on the escalating Indian murder cases. An editorial column by Radio Australia on the crimes used words like “media circus” in its headline Film ‘Film’ entails motion pictures to cover a story or individual projects (Sharma & Sandeep, 2010, p.32). Film production encompasses recording people with cameras or by creating them through the use of animation technology.

Animation involves use of a series of images shown in a succession to give an illusion of motion to the viewer.

Read More