The media and the formation of community

There are times when I suspect that we pretend to ourselves that we are just reporting and reacting to the initiatives of others. There is a certain truth in that, but is far from the whole truth. What we give prominence to, the slants we take and the emphases we give in what we portray and the very selections we make for coverage, are part of the formation of the life of the community.

The media can concentrate on the bad news or give us stories which inspire us. If there was one reason that we launched the South Sydney Herald, it was because we saw, over and over again, the way the mainstream media primarily gave attention to the bad news which came out of Redfern. This is not to suggest that any media should be a “happy clappy” romantic medium for life. However, to consistently give priority to bad news diminishes hope and discourages those who are trying hard to enhance the life of any community – especially if they are vulnerable.

To tell the life stories of ordinary people who survive against the odds or achieve great things lifts the hearts of us all. I would suggest that, at this time, we need that lift possibly more than for many decades.

Media can encourage or discourage genuine debate, whatever politicians and other leaders say and do in relation to that. The role of the media is not just in the area of honest and accurate reporting. We can add thoughtful and reflective pieces, which both invite and require our leaders to respond and our readers to demand that response. We can collude with those who end discussion before it begins by labelling people as “rednecks” or “latte- and chardonnay- drinking lefties,” or refuse to support this and insist that the issues raised be properly explored.

Media can so easily make us lazy by giving us grabs and spins and sensational stuff, rather than inviting us into deeper thought and analysis. Perhaps the supreme example of this trivia lies in what now purport to be magazines. As an older woman, I remember New Idea, Woman’s Day and Women’s Weekly over many decades. They were never, of course, the centre of academic or deep political comment. However, compared to what they are today, they were a reasonable resource. At least they contained some articles about real life and the world around us. Now I think they are turning us into people who are voyeurs and consumers of every ridiculous detail of the lives of those whom they suggest are worth endlessly watching – the rich and glamorous.

We can be genuinely independent or subtly and unsubtly serve various vested interests, especially those of our owners. I must say that as one of the producers of the South Sydney Herald, it is an indescribable privilege to be part of one of the few independent newspapers left in Sydney. Sure, we as the editorial team argue about the content of our paper but we owe nothing to anyone and, as the editors and writers are all volunteers, there is no financial ambition to be considered.

The SSH tries to hold to a principle for working which means we always try to invite the best from all our political and other leaders, rather than putting them into categories. This is very hard to sustain. It is all too easy to put people into boxes as the “goodies” and the “baddies,” whatever your ethical considerations.

The media can invite us to dare to trust each other or be endlessly suspicious. It can refer to people in categories (like “people of Middle Eastern appearance”) or encourage us to be curious about and stimulated by difference.

We can collude with those who pretend that the history and culture of this country is connected with some fantasy about mateship, gender equity and a fair go. Or we can be honest about our history and encourage the humble recognition that all of us are far from perfect and could work together for something better.

The media can make us more and more cynical or be part of the vision for a different and more just and compassionate future and the sustaining of hope. If ever we needed that, it is now. In all my seven decades of life, I have never known a time which is so devoid of genuine vision and hope for the future. When we talk about “aspirational voters” that has come to mean aspirations for economic status rather than anything which might add life to each other and the developing of a community which we love and serve.

As I do my paper round, which is a good thing for an editor to do, I have moments of pride and moments of humility. To connect with the lives of the people of South Sydney lifts my heart, over and over again, and invites me to see how sacred is my responsibility to them.

Source: South Sydney Herald July 2007 http://www.southsydneyherald.com.au/