Australian Television News Research Articles

The working class in the Australian mainstream media

The Australian mainstream media is dominated by middle-class voices, and this shapes the way working-class people are framed within the media. Working-class people have tended to be represented as responsible for their poverty, or ridiculed for their lack of sophistication. But could very small shifts be occurring, as some outlets acknowledge the impact of neo-liberalism on working-class people and point to some of the structural causes of inequality? This article looks at some examples of working-class representation in Australian newspapers, television news and current affairs programs, and considers the ways in which working-class people are presented. The article also asks whether the Australian mainstream media provides a place for working-class voices?

Review: A foretaste of TV’s future

Review of: Australian Television News: New forms, functions, and futures, by Stephen Harrington, Bristol & Chicago: Intellect Press, 2013. 195pp, ISBN 9781841507170This is a deliberately provocative book designed to address what the author sees as the main tropes of journalism studies and to redefine TV news journalism in a new digital age. It is built on three Australian programme case studies – the Network Seven morning show Sunrise, the Network Ten late evening conversational The Panel and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s comedic The Chaser’s War on Everything.

Australian news media framing of medical tourism in low- and middle-income countries: a content review

BackgroundMedical tourism – travel across international borders for health care – appears to be growing globally, with patients from high-income nations increasingly visiting low- and middle-income countries to access such services. This paper analyses Australian television and newspaper news and current affairs coverage to examine how medical tourism and these destinations for the practice are represented to media audiences.MethodsElectronic copies of Australian television (n = 66) and newspaper (n = 65) items from 2005–2011 about medical care overseas were coded for patterns of reporting (year, format and type) and story characteristics (geographic and medical foci in the coverage, news actors featured and appeals, credibility and risks of the practice mentioned).ResultsAustralian media coverage of medical tourism was largely focused on Asia, featuring cosmetic surgery procedures and therapies unavailable domestically. Experts were the most frequently-appearing news actors, followed by patients. Common among the types of appeals mentioned were access to services and low cost. Factors lending credibility included personal testimony, while uncertainty and ethical dilemmas featured strongly among potential risks mentioned from medical tourism.ConclusionsThe Australian media coverage of medical tourism was characterised by a narrow range of medical, geographic and ethical concerns, a focus on individual Australian patients and on content presented as being personally relevant for domestic audiences. Medical tourism was portrayed as an exercise of economically-rational consumer choice, but with no attention given to its consequences for the commodification of health or broader political, medical and ethical implications. In this picture, LMICs were no longer passive recipients of aid but providers of a beneficial service to Australian patients.

Australian television news coverage of alcohol, health and related policies, 2005 to 2010: implications for alcohol policy advocates

To describe television news coverage between 2005 and 2010 of alcohol, health and relevant alcohol-control policies, with a view to informing policy advocacy. A content analysis of all alcohol stories archived by the Australian Health News Research Collaboration. We recorded what triggered a news item, the main topics covered, whether risks to health were communicated, whether alcohol-control policies were featured and which news-actors appeared. We identified 612 stories, where 69.2% were triggered by a particular newsworthy incident or the release of new findings. The most frequently reported alcohol stories were focused on associated harms (30.2%) and 'binge drinking' (19.0%). A majority (75.3%) reported a variety of positive and negative health effects, yet mainly focused on short-term consequences. Combined, 63% mentioned an alcohol-control policy, yet no one particular policy was featured in more than 10% of all stories. The most commonly featured news-actors included public-health professionals (50.0%), members of affected communities (28.4%) and government representatives (24.3%) Problems related to alcohol were well-established foci of news attention and reportage and covered a broad spectrum of issues related to public health goals, yet less coverage centred on long-term health consequences or effective policy solutions. Future policy advocacy could focus on moving the debate away from simple problem definition to better communication of long-term health risks, existing policies, and evidence of their effectiveness and arguments for their adoption. Future research might consider audience understanding of the information.

The Framing of Islam and Muslims in the Tenth Anniversary Coverage of 9/11: Implications for Reconciliation and Moving On

This article analyses Australian television news programmes' framing of the tenth anniversary of the events of 9/11. Our findings build on and reaffirm the earlier work we did in this area—showing that television news programmes in Australia have moved away from conflating terrorism with Muslims and Islam. We found that the tenth anniversary coverage was presented with the frames of “reconciliation” and “moving on” from 9/11. The dominant frame used by Australian television news was based on the US–Australia relations, including a shared worldview, common experiences of lives lost in the attacks and a unified response in the context of the “war on terror”. Notably absent from the coverage was the attribution of references to bridge-building with Muslim minority communities.

Framing responsibility: coverage of lung cancer among smokers and non‐smokers in Australian television news

To analyse news portrayals of lung cancer and associated inferences about responsibility in Australian television news. Analysis of television news reports, broadcast on Sydney's five free-to-air television channels between 2 May 2005 and 31 August 2009, for all statements pertaining to lung cancer. Of 2,042 reports mentioning any cancer, 45 made reference to lung cancer, and 28 (62%) referred to diagnoses of lung cancer in non-smokers. Of 157 statements in these reports, 107 (68%) noted that the person featured was a non-smoker. Non-smokers were portrayed sympathetically and as tragic victims, implying they were not responsible for their condition, the sub-text being that smokers are responsible for theirs. Television news portrays non-smokers with lung cancer with considerable sympathy. Conversely, smokers are implicitly and occasionally explicitly depicted as responsible for their disease. The marginalisation of tobacco caused lung cancer in news, together with sympathetic reporting of lung cancer in non-smokers may contribute to stigma surrounding smoking caused disease that may promote delay in seeking treatment, and de-emphasise the role of the tobacco industry's decades-long smoker reassurance program in promoting smoking.

Publicising the News: Publicity and Australian Commercial Television News

Publicising the News: Publicity and Australian Commercial Television News

Room for Improvement: Mixed Portrayal of Young People with Mental Illness on Australian Television News

The aim of the present study was to review television news depiction of mental illness in children and adolescents to test the hypothesis that positive portrayals of adults with mental illness also apply to young people. Content and frame analysis of first-person depictions and overall news angle was carried out to determine whether depictions were positive, neutral or negative. The media portrayal of young people with mental illnesses was mixed. Overall, 10 items (29%) of news angles were positive, 13 items (37%) neutral and nine items (26%) negative. Positive themes were significantly less frequent for young people compared to adults (10 items, 29% compared to 151 items, 66%), and negative themes were more frequent (nine items, 26% vs 21 items, 9%). First-person depictions, however, were similar for young people and adults (24 items, 69% vs 150 items, 66%). An anti-medication sub-theme was notable. Overall the portrayal of young people with mental illnesses on television news is not as positive as that for adults. Similar to adults, however, first-person depictions resulted in a more positive representation of young people. Fewer first-person depictions in combination with an anti-medication theme and historically less access to appropriate services for young people may have contributed to the less positive results for young people with mental illnesses.

‘A disease many people still feel uncomfortable talking about’: Australian television coverage of colorectal cancer

To examine the coverage of colorectal cancer on Australian television news over a 3 year period commencing May 2005, and compare it with that given to other cancers. News reports on colorectal cancer broadcast on Sydney's five free-to-air television channels between 3 May 2005 and 30 May 2008 were reviewed for statements by news actors. The frequency of coverage was compared with that for other cancers. Colorectal cancer news reports accounted for 4.1% (95% CI 2.9-5.1%) of all cancer news reports while the cancer represents 13.5% of cancer incidence and 11.5% of cancer deaths. Compared to cancers receiving greater television news coverage, there was a near total absence of reports of celebrity diagnoses, and of representations by colorectal advocacy groups. A national colorectal screening programme received limited coverage. Media neglect of colorectal cancer may be an important factor in explaining low participation in the Australian colorectal screening programme. Those advocating for colorectal cancer screening face ingrained cultural challenges in gaining broad media coverage, but investment in efforts to generate news and commentary would appear to be overdue.

Smoking‐related disease on Australian television news: inaccurate portrayals may contribute to public misconceptions

To describe the range and frequency of reportage of tobacco-related disease on Australian television news. Content analysis of all news items mentioning smoking-related disease broadcast on five free-to-air Sydney television channels 2 May 2005 to 31 December 2007. Three in four tobacco-related disease news reports focus on lung cancer. Other cancers and smoking attributable diseases attract modest coverage. Television news coverage may contribute to public misconceptions regarding the associated health risks of smoking, limiting understanding about the many risks involved. Tobacco control advocates should seek to increase the newsworthiness of diseases in addition to lung cancer. While the Australian public is generally aware of the connection between lung cancer and tobacco, considerable misconception exists as to the broad range of tobacco-related mortality and disease. Given television's role as a key source of public information on health issues in Australia, such coverage can limit understanding about the many attributable risks involved. Tobacco control advocates need to find ways to improve the newsworthiness of tobacco related illness.

More Us Than Them: Positive Depictions of Mental Illness on Australian Television News

The aim of the present study was to review television news coverage of mental illness including self-depictions from people with mental illness, and views expressed by mental health experts and politicians in all 538 news and current affairs items related to mental illness broadcast on free-to-air Sydney television, May 2005-October 2007. Content and frame analysis was done of news actors (those with mental illnesses, experts and politicians) of whether depictions were positive 'one of us', or negative 'one of them'. Only 6% of all items with a main focus on a specific health condition, focused on mental health. Individuals with mental illness were present in 264 (49%) of 538 items, with most (174, 66%) of these self-depictions categorized as either neutral or positive. Experts and politicians overwhelmingly represented and described people with mental illnesses in neutral or positive ways (95% and 84%, respectively). Overall news angle included 299 items (55%), which were categorized as positive 'recovery focused' items. Another 156 items (29%) were neutral, and 62 items (12%) were classified as negative. Twenty-one (4%) had unclear or mixed themes. The present findings differ from previous descriptions of media depiction of mental illness, which have been largely negative. The present study provides support for the importance of involving those with histories of mental illness in news coverage.

The newsworthiness of cancer in Australian television news

To test the hypothesis that television news coverage of different cancers reflects their incidence and burden, and to examine the journalistic approaches used in reporting cancer. Content analysis of all news, current affairs and infotainment reports on cancer broadcast on five free-to-air television channels in Sydney, New South Wales, 2 May 2005 - 6 January 2008. Number of items on specific cancers, relationship with burden of that cancer (disability-adjusted life-years [DALYs]), and category of "story lead" used for the item. Cancer was the fifth most reported health issue, with 1319 items; 25 different cancers received news coverage. The most reported cancers were breast cancer (42.5% of all items on specific cancers), melanoma (11.9%) and cervical cancer (11.6%). Some cancers were significantly over-reported in relation to their DALYs (eg, cervical cancer was over-reported by a factor of 10.2 compared with the number of reports predicted on the basis of DALYs) while others were under-reported, including colorectal, lung and pancreatic cancers. The most common story leads used in cancer reports were treatment (32% of items) and celebrities with cancer (21%), particularly breast cancer. The current predominance of reports on breast and cervical cancer and on young women with cancer may be distorting public and political perceptions of the burden of cancer. The success of advocates in raising the news profile of breast cancer may hold lessons for agencies wishing to improve the newsworthiness of other cancers.

An Analysis of Media Coverage on the Prevention and Early Detection of CKD in Australia

News media raise public awareness about health and can influence public policy agenda. Recently, nephrologists have sought to make prevention and early detection of chronic kidney disease (CKD) a health care priority. We assessed the extent and manner in which Australian television news and newspapers cover CKD prevention or early detection. Electronic news databases for print media and television programs were searched (May 2005 to March 2007) for items referring to CKD prevention or early detection. We analyzed all relevant items for spokespeople, main news frame, focus of responsibility, proposed solutions, and trigger/reason for publication. Of 2,439 newspaper articles and 10,430 television broadcasts retrieved, only 214 articles (8.77%) and 7 broadcasts (0.06%) were eligible. Kidney transplantation dominated CKD-related news. Lay person or high-profile advocates were virtually absent. Risks of cardiovascular disease and mortality conferred by CKD were not emphasized by news reports; instead, CKD received peripheral mention as a secondary consequence of diabetes or obesity. Few reports cited the economic consequences of CKD. The media focused on lifestyle causes and solutions, whereas nonlifestyle causes and screening and prevention strategies were rarely mentioned. Kidney health professionals need to actively engage with the media in efforts to amplify desired messages on CKD prevention or early detection. Medical journals, research institutions, universities, hospitals, and advocacy groups should issue press releases that highlight newsworthy aspects of this topic. Extending news media coverage can help exert an influence on health policies and agenda setting and increase public awareness to improve prevention and early detection of CKD.

Reporting Australian Television News: Professional Practice in the Analogue-to-Digital Transition

In the 50 years of Australian television, the one constant in the nightly schedule has been the news. The story of television news is usually told from the perspective of the news consumer. Even when the set of professional practices that produce news is analysed, the frame used is usually that from in front of the box rather than behind the camera and microphone. The result is that the process of reporting and the way it has changed over time has been given less attention than it deserves. Now, as the medium continues the transition from analogue to digital, Australian television news reporting is undergoing a series of shifts — in its methods of delivery and the tasks that reporters perform. These changes affect the nature of journalistic practice, which in turn bears on the product audiences receive.

‘Popularising Politics’: This Day Tonight and Australian Television Current Affairs

This paper presents a history of the pioneering ABC TV current affairs program, This Day Tonight (TDT). This Day Tonight has mythic status in the history of Australian television news and current affairs, and is often used as a reference point for the kind of political Journalism that is now generally held to have disappeared from Australian television. The research for this paper does endorse this myth to some extent, but it also reminds us of the importance of the broader cultural contexts within which television programming must find its audience. There are significant differences to be noted, and important lessons to be learnt, from the comparison between TDT and its audience, and the kinds of current affairs programming and audiences we have today. Further, the history of TDT's demise challenges the basis for the industry nostrum that audiences find politics boring and that therefore political journalism is no longer a commercial option for contemporary current affairs television.

Today's News Tomorrow: Researching Archival Television

Television may be the most pervasive medium of mass communication but, unlike the print media, Australian television news and current affairs have largely defied the efforts of researchers to mount comprehensive retrospective research into their form and content. This paper looks at the reasons for the dearth of this research. It considers the technical and the policy issues involved in preserving Australian television and argues that media researchers need to take a greater interest in the preservation of, and access to, archival television.

Journalist and Source Gender in Australian Television News

Content analysis of 450 news stories broadcast by five Australian television networks over a period of one week indicated that men were generally over-represented as presenters, reporters, and expert sources. Female reporters predominated only in low-frequency, lower-ranked subjects. Although expert sources were mostly male, male and female reporters did not differ in their use of male or female sources. Despite increased participation of women in journalism, findings indicate a lasting association of men with higher status stories, source authority, sport, and hard news.

Post-Journalism

This paper discusses some major generic and discursive shifts in Australian television news and current affairs programming over the last decade. Developing a history of some aspects of these shifts, the paper argues that we are witnessing a decline in the construction of news and current affairs as a public service, and a parallel rise in the commodification of these programming genres within the battle for ratings.

The League of Men

The rhetoric of masculinity is at melting point in Australian culture. In the nineties, Australian television news and sporting programs have constructed a particularly shrill and insistent form of brash, heterosexual sporting masculinity in football reporting. Against this norm of rippling 'muscularity' and aggressive competition, all so-called aberrant forms of humanity such as women, homosexuals, and men who do not fit into Connell's 'hegemonic masculinity' paradigm have been effectively marginalised and silenced. Class and ethnicity discourses are at best muted, and at worst, ignored in much of the writing about sporting masculinity. While acknowledging the significance of class and ethnicity, this paper explores the nexus between gender, sexuality, the media and League football.