Passivity and exclusion: media power in the construction of the aged-care debate in Australia and Malaysia
Date
2023
Authors
Imran, M.A.
Bowd, K.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Communication Research and Practice, 2023; 9(2):121-141
Statement of Responsibility
Muhammad Asim Imran and Kathryn Bowd
Conference Name
Abstract
This article explores relationships between media power and older people in Western and non-Western settings, utilising the examples of Australia and Malaysia. Drawing on Fairclough’s three-dimensional critical discourse analysis and a dataset of articles from Australian and Malaysian newspapers, it reveals that despite differences in journalistic practices in the two countries there is a common thread of disparate representation of voices of older people and elites in news about older people. This demonstrates the exercise of power by journalists – and the influence of broader media and socio-political environments – in sustaining and reproducing social inequalities, including opportunities for people to have their stories and issues portrayed fairly and accurately. While the lack of critical engagement by Malaysian journalists can be linked to social norms and ideas of Asian-based development journalism, the absence of critical engagement from the Australian news media can be seen as conflicting with their Fourth Estate watchdog role.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Published online: 29 Mar 2023
Access Status
Rights
© 2023 Australian and New Zealand Communication Association