The role and place of the media and their reporting of issues in the global, national and local interest in Australia has been questioned and challenged by many sectors of the community in recent times. This has been accompanied by wide spread criticism and in some quarters disillusionment with politicians of all persuasions as they opt for the quick media grab at the expense of detailed policy statements. Their approach has been interpreted as lacking integrity, long-term vision and soul. This has been not only an Australian issue with similar concerns being expressed across many parts of the western world.
Lindsay Tanner in his book entitled, Sideshow dumbing down democracy, says in language and words what many have been thinking, if not always speaking aloud, about the dumbing down of public debate and discourse on social and economic issues affecting the nation and the world. Whether it is climate change, asylum seekers, housing or Australia’s natural resources, the role of the media in political reporting has reached an all time low he claims, with debate trivialised and reframed as entertainment rather than seriously considered. In his book Tanner claims that the media is more interested in the sensational, the quick word and opinion rather than reporting fact and engaging in bi partisan dialogue and discussion. His book is part personal, reflective and challenging as he goes about systematically deconstructing the role of the media in contemporary society and the seduction and co-option of politicians in a dumbing down process. This he argues is a great danger to democracy and a just and compassionate society. He gives countless evidence to support his claims by referring to a variety of journalists and commentators from all sides of politics.
Lindsay Tanner, professional politician for 18 years, former union official and more recently till his retirement in 2010 Finance Minister in the Rudd government was considered a major thinker and strategist during his time in the Federal parliament. . While his resignation coincided with the removal of Kevin Rudd by Julia Gillard he asserts this action was not in any way related to the change in Prime Minister. His decision to step down was for family reasons and as he points out began 12 months earlier and went under the radar of the media. He was regarded and still is across the political spectrum as a person of integrity, wisdom and substance.
His book exposes many of the shortcomings of all forms of today’s media, claiming that news is increasingly trivialized and translated into entertainment rather than providing accurate information. Further he claims many news items are distorted and often presented in away to suit the journalist’s story or the networks views on issues often colours the reporting and analysis of events. Today’s media requires colour, pictures, presentation, confrontation and division, or a crisis for it to be news worthy. He provides numerous case studies and examples to justify his position and does not spare all sides of politics as well as both public and private media in his discussion. As a result democracy is in a crisis and the “the serious craft of politics” is undermined, and “that politicians are engaged in legitimate democratic decision-making that is fundamental to the nations future is being bartered away”.
The media however is not all to blame and Tanner sights examples where politicians set up the media, co-operate with the media’s agenda, feed the media with stories that lack substance or simply repeat old news in new clothes. He even acknowledges his own participation in these charades passing as news. In support he refers to a variety of local and international research to justify his claims and calls for a radical over hall of how the media conducts itself and the behaviour of politicians in announcing and discussing issues. He challenges all who have the public interest at heart to reflect and change the current practices and to bring back integrity, truth and honesty to discussions on Australia’s future and the contribution the nation can make to the many crisis facing the world community.
The book make a strong case for reform and is easy to read and accessible to a wide cross section of readers and while his case in some places is over simplified the message remains strong.
Tanners call and hope is that all Australians will take heed and respond, to set aside sectional issues, to engage in serious debate and to have the interests of all Australian in mind when reporting in the media.
The book is a reminder as to how important critical and reflective thinking is in today’s multi faceted media and to not believe everything you read and hear from the media. How to recognise spin would be a first start. If you wish to begin the journey this book is well worth the buy.
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