Australian Foreign Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Australian Foreign Policy - Essay Example It is argued, however that the media is too influential on public opinion; and it is the proprietors of the industry making all of the decisions.world. What role does Public opinion and media play in the making foreign policy in Australia is the central research question of this paper. It is in relation to this debate that it becomes crucial to analyse the critical political economy of the news media. The critical political economy is the power and influence exerted by media owners, government and culture for the forming of country's foreign policies.The content and information presented in this paper is based on research and survey conducted by leading agencies to study the media and public opinion influence of foreign policy decision making in Australia. The media is an extremely influential factor in society. Is the media a political institution, in that it decides who gets what, when and how through formal organizations and procedures Or is it a business The radical theory suggests that 'the media generates content that garners the greatest profit'1 (Ranganathan, 2002) The liberal theory of the media suggests that it is not just what interests the public, but what is in the best interest of the public. News is the reporting of facts, or news otherwise not known. ... 'The Australian Broadcasting Commission felt that in those days to use pictures, was to descend to the levels of the popular press.'(Mason & Lean, 1992:42) Today, on the other hand, findings from various surveys conclude that television is the most popular news source and the one in which the majority of the public lay their trust.A survey conducted on 60 Australia all- party political decision makers from both Federal and State Governments showed the great influence that mass media and public opinion exert on foreign policy decision making in Australia. The survey can be summarized as follows2: Media + Community= Highest Influence on Government The findings reveal that Australian politicians are most influenced by the public opinion and media. Use of local newspaper and politician's local community is known to be considered as two main critical points to influence their decision-making. Timely data + Active public engagement= Effective tool for influencing on Government. Provision of timely & accurate market and direct, active public engagement are considered as most effective and powerful communication tools for making a point to government. The role of media is reporting of facts, events or news otherwise not known. . Originally, news was broadcasted on radio, always with one white, male presenter reading the entire bulletin. 'The use of pictures in those days was considered as descending the levels of the very much popular press. .Today, on the other hand, findings from various surveys conclude that television is the most popular news source and the one in which the majority of the public lay their trust. In terms of television media as a whole, it is