Option theme 3: Mediatisation of politics

In this theme, students focus on the media and its power, various perspectives, and influences on politics. Students investigate the increasing intrusion of media into the political sphere, and critique the approach of a media‑driven society. They critically inspect evidence to determine whether political institutions have retained their influence in the face of expanding media power. Students evaluate whether political institutions are dependent upon, or independent of, the media.

The inquiry questions are:

1. To what extent does the media protect the fundamental rights and responsibilities of Western liberal democracies?
2. To what extent has global politics been revolutionised by new media?
3. Does the media set the political agenda and influence public opinion?
4. Can Australian political journalism survive the twenty‑first century paradigm?

In addressing inquiry question 1: ‘To what extent does media protect the fundamental rights and responsibilities of Western liberal democracies?’, students may consider:

• the intricacies of fairness and newsworthiness
• the rights and responsibilities of the media in Western democracies
• the Australian media as a balanced entity
• the role of cartoonists as social critics.

Students explore how some democracies in the world have overseen attempts to compromise the independence of the media sector. They critically analyse the concepts of newsworthiness, fairness, rights, and responsibilities in news selection in Western liberal democracies. Students examine: factors that threaten global media freedom, the impact of the threats on democracy, and how press freedom rebounds from repression. Students also evaluate the role of the Australian media, the standards that govern the Australian media, and the Australian media’s commitment to its statutory independence. Students investigate the provocative role of cartoonists in highlighting societal issues.

In addressing inquiry question 2: ‘To what extent has global politics been revolutionised by new media?’, students may consider:

• the role of social media in current elections
• the use of social media to influence political agendas
• the changing lenses, and perceptions of ‘extreme’ and ‘mainstream’ views
• a comparative case study of social media in Australia and another country.

Students consider how the role of media is changing from a monologue to a dialogue in which personal opinions are unfettered. Students appraise the role and use of social media as a pervasive force in politics, particularly the use of digital micro‑targeting tactics to shape political agendas. Students analyse how the media juggles shifts in perspectives with trying to remain objective and impartial when dealing with extreme and mainstream views. Through a comparative case study of social media, students explore the complexities of the new media system both in Western and non‑Western countries.

In addressing inquiry question 3: ‘Does the media set the political agenda and influence public opinion?’, students may consider:

• diversity and ownership of media organisations
• government use of media to set their agenda
• polls as drivers of public opinion
• an international case study of an election from an Australian perspective.

Students explore whether diverse ownership of the media leads to the effective functioning of democracy. As the media communicates information to the public and influences their decision‑making, government institutions leverage the power of the media to influence political outcomes. Students investigate whether the media exerts political influence on government, or if the reverse relationship is true. They examine the validity and reliability of the opinion poll as a tool for policymaking, and examine how reliance on polls affects the practice of democracy. Students analyse an international case study in which the media has made a significant electoral impact.

In addressing inquiry question 4: ‘Can Australian political journalism survive the twenty‑first century paradigm?’, students may consider:

• the reliability of news sources
• the suppression of freedom of speech
• economic viability
• cyber and national security.

Students explore the codified rules and social norms that govern the practice of Australian journalism. They analyse factors that determine source reliability and what is worthy and credible publishing. Students investigate the implications of decreasing media freedom. They consider government censorship in democratic and authoritarian regimes as well as commercial pressures due to the rise of the internet. Students examine the importance of cybersecurity and the legal protections for journalists to defend freedom of the press for the wider social and economic good. They investigate whether the Australian media presents a clear threat to democracy or is vital to ensuring government accountability.