Antinuclear

Media coverage of Dutton’s nuclear campaign, Example No 1.

6 Feb 25

Dr Victoria Fielding divides journalism on Dutton’s nuclear campaign into three types – scrutiny, stenography or propaganda:

• Scrutiny – a useful form of journalism that critically assesses the viability of the nuclear policy. 
• Stenography – just repeating the plan without scrutiny. 
• Propaganda (news presented to look like news but what is actually a form of political advocacy, aiming to persuade readers to support Dutton’s nuclear plan, or ).

So – I’m starting today – with this item – Lidia Thorpe crashes pro-nuclear press conference fronted by ex Miss America winner Grace Stanke.

It’s not that easy to categorise news items. I think that there should be another type * Read Between The Lines. I think that this article by Jessica Wang could belong in that group. However, using Dr Fielding’s groups —

Lidia Thorpe crashes pro-nuclear press conference fronted by ex Miss America winner Grace Stanke. – fits narrowly into *Propaganda – because:

“heckling” is seen here as a “bizarre encounter” – although heckling is a time-honoured political activity in Australia. The pro-nuclear message from Nuclear For Australia is repeated without comment or analysis, So this news item is close to Stenography , too, (but with that possible element of Read Between The Lines. )

February 6, 2025 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | media