Culture Media Special Interest Group

Discuss about the Culture Media Special Interest Group.

Contemporary media plays a remarkable role in structuring and creating public opinion for strengthening the society. Media can be considered as the main arm of democracy. It acts as the guardian to protect and preserve public interest against illegal practice and arouse awareness among the public.  The media disseminates message across a larger audience. The different forms of media, i.e. TV, radio and newspaper and then there is internet which spread information and have emerged as the main components of the media. Media is considered as the fourth pillar of democracy after judiciary, executive and legislature. They play the pivotal role against injustice, partiality, misdeeds and oppression in the society. It has remained the part and parcel of human civilization from a long time. In today’s world, globalization, privatization and liberalization, the whole world can be grabbed easily due to media’s blessing. Free media has helped in fighting against discrimination, corruption, tolerance of institution and carry out long campaigns against them (Traynor 2017).

Media serves four essential roles and they are as follows- holding the government leaders and politicians accountable to the people; publicize those issues or problems which require immediate attention; educate and make the citizens aware so that they can take informed decisions; make the connection stronger among all people. The monitoring and watchdog function is the most difficult function to perform. There can be certain situations when the government leaders might not be transparent, specifically when there is no system of public scrutiny. If there is no tradition of independent media, public information and safety becomes the liability for the government. The inability to engage the public can restrict the economic growth and security of the country (McAllister 2015).

The free functioning of media, like local newspapers, radio and TV are the important bricks in the structure of democracy. They not only serve as the watchdog on the local institutes and aware the public about safety and security, but also help the citizens to realize and understand the government. The local news is such an important factor that it can even save human lives. The free media does not perform professionally as there can be some unintentional consequences to open the up the media. But the public will only value the media when they will be provided with the balanced and correct information as well as community discussions. Civic information also enlightens democracy (Martin 2016). People start thinking about their well being and they become more educated to take their own responsibility. It can also act like a safe and secured platform for diverse voices to be heard by all. An energetic media sector with the competence of newspapers, internet, radio and TV permits the voices to be heard all over. The media has the potential to highlight problems, encourage the citizens and the government authorities to address them and motivates even the penniless with true information. It will be a gain for everyone in the society if the needy and poor can improve their condition, take part in the opportunities of free speech, free press and the right to associate in a democratic society.

After the disastrous attack of 9/11 in USA and other terrorist attacks in the world, Islam and Muslim have come under the radar of media in the West. In Australia, all the violent activities and debates about the wearing of Burqa by the Muslim women have initiated a negative media portrayal of Islam and Muslim. But this heavy impact on the Muslims has been felt by many Australians who questioned their dedication and loyalty to Australia. The negative portrayal of Muslims in the Australian media showcases the extension of original news values in a period of technological change (Dwyer 2014). The religious values are so unusual for the news values that it becomes difficult for the media person to understand what religion is. The consistent description of the Muslims by the media as someone who are disturbing the national security of Australia is a step in excluding and marginalizing the minority section. The political debate on Muslims is related to such terms as, anti- modernity, anti- western, honor- killing, oppression of women and terrorism. All these factors are responsible for affecting not only their religious identity but also their social and individual recognition. Studies have revealed that the Muslim population in Australia has increased to 2.6% of the population. But the cause of decentralization of the Muslims has not been questioned. There lies a controversy as in what Australia is delivering its people as an impartial nation where everything is fair and what do the minorities face in the name of hostility, racism and discrimination (Martin 2016).

Reference

Traynor, P., 2017. Culture Media Special Interest Group (SIG). Microbiology Australia, 38(1), pp.38-38.

Hess, K. and Waller, L., 2015. Community journalism in Australia: a media power perspective. Community journalism, 4(1), pp.2-9.

McAllister, I., 2015. The personalization of politics in Australia. Party politics, 21(3), pp.337-345.

Martin, F.R., 2016. Mobile public service media in Australia: Ubiquity and its consequences. International Communication Gazette, 78(4), pp.330-348.

Ewart, J., Pearson, M. and Lessing, J., 2013. Anti-terror laws and the news media in Australia since 2001: How free expression and national security compete in a liberal democracy. Journal of Media Law, 5(1), pp.104-132.

Dwyer, T., 2014. Press freedom discourse after Leveson: Ethics, elections and media concentration in Australia. The Political Economy of Communication, 2(1).