The Times Australia
The Times Australia

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Many Australians do not like the way politics is reported. Here’s how it can improve

  • Written by Caroline Fisher, Associate Professor of Communication, University of Canberra




If you are reading this article, then you are likely to be part of a minority of Australians who are highly interested in politics and political news.

The Digital News Report: Australia 2024[1] tells us that around one third of Australians are very interested in politics. They are more likely to be heavy news consumers who are willing to pay for it, and have higher trust in it.

In contrast, the opposite is true for most Australians who have moderate to low interest in politics. They are less interested in news about it, and are more likely to actively avoid it.

Given that people mainly learn about politics through the news media, the way it is reported[2] is very important. For many, political coverage is impenetrable. As the outgoing Director of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, Rasmus Kleis Nielsen[3], put it,

Much of political journalism is the Beavis and Butthead of news — loved by a narrow and peculiar target audience, incomprehensible and off-putting to most other people.

Recent Australian research[4] made similar findings. Interviews with 60 voters highlighted that perceptions of political journalism were described as biased, full of conflict and complicated. Those perceptions also had an impact on how and if people sought information about who to vote for during the 2022 federal election. While low news consumers tended to be the most negative about politics and political reporting, heavy and moderate news users shared many criticisms.

Quoted below are comments that highlight key responses from the study.

Conflict

Interviewees understood that journalists liked to create conflict in their stories by portraying politicians in a negative light “because it’s a better news article or a better story, or they’re gonna get better coverage from it”. This meant the story was focused on who was going to win the election, rather than on policy substance.

Bias

There was a general perception that “a lot of the outlets have their own political leaning” and support whichever party suits their commercial interests.

Distrust

Distrust in both politics and the news clouded perceptions of election coverage. As one interviewee said,

Boy, there’s so much corruption in it. When you hear the news […] and then yes, they’re going to put their own spin on it […] it’s just a big, bloody vicious cycle.

Superficial

Other issues to emerge included too much focus on personalities and private lives and not enough on policy substance and election promises.

Complicated

Several people said they did not understand political reporting. Trying to decipher the political news required a lot of time and energy to stay on top of it:

I will watch it but it’s sort of it’s gone within 10 minutes because I don’t know anything building up to it.

I feel like politics is this huge area, and you have to spend so much time looking and listening and hearing and reading to understand everything that’s going on. And I just don’t have the time to do that. So, I think, it’s just really hard.

I’m trying to be interested in politics as much as I can […] I’ve read a few books on sort of how the system works, which I think has helped me contextualise some of the news […] it’s a conscious effort […] to care about it.

Even those people who do care about politics have plenty of criticism about the state of mainstream political news reporting. Political journalist Amy Remeikis recently asked her followers on the app Bluesky[5] if they had any suggestions about how to report politics differently. She has left the mainstream news media for the progressive think tank The Australia Institute, which is aiming to take a new approach to political journalism:

Playing with a few ideas of how to cover politics in Australia a bit differently. What would you like to see?

Her question garnered 519 responses from her highly engaged and politically interested followers. Many echoed sentiments found in our research, calling for greater fact checking of politicians, more coverage of minor parties and independents, more substance and less fluff.

But what about the bulk of Australians who aren’t very interested in political news and even avoid it? In fact its one of the top reasons for avoiding news[6]. How can we make political journalism more attractive to these people?

Here are a few more suggestions drawn from various sources of research and commentary:

  • less jargon

  • more background and context

  • less focus on who is winning or losing and more focus on what the country needs

  • less focus on internal politicking

  • less insider talk, with journalists talking to journalists

  • more engaging formats and styles

  • covering issues for diverse audiences, and not just appealing to highly educated men.

Given that voters need to be informed to participate in democracy and make a reasoned choice at the ballot box, political news avoidance is an important issue to address.

Increasing the proportion of people interested in political news – who are more likely to pay for it – also presents an opportunity for news organisations to do things differently.

The risk of not acting means voters will continue to turn to non mainstream news and information sources[7] that provide more diverse perspectives[8], and where they feel better represented.

The burden of improving the coverage of politics can’t all fall to journalists. It will also require changes in the way politics is conducted and the way journalists and politicians interact. Ultimately, urgent research is needed to find solutions that address the needs of the audience, the news media, politicians and democracy.

References

  1. ^ Digital News Report: Australia 2024 (www.canberra.edu.au)
  2. ^ way it is reported (library.oapen.org)
  3. ^ Rasmus Kleis Nielsen (www.niemanlab.org)
  4. ^ Recent Australian research (ijoc.org)
  5. ^ Bluesky (bsky.app)
  6. ^ top reasons for avoiding news (apo.org.au)
  7. ^ non mainstream news and information sources (www.taylorfrancis.com)
  8. ^ diverse perspectives (books.google.com.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/many-australians-do-not-like-the-way-politics-is-reported-heres-how-it-can-improve-245145

Only a third of Australians support increasing defence spending: new research

National security issues have been a constant feature of this federal election campaign. Both major parties h...

The Times Features

The Best Adjustable Bed and Mattress Packages for Comfort

The appropriate bed and mattress are essential for establishing the perfect sleep environment. If you seek a way to upgrade your sleep experience, adjustable bed and mattress pac...

Designing a Modern Home: Features That Will Make Your Dream House Stand Out

Designing your dream home is an exciting journey, and for many, it’s an opportunity to create a space that reflects their personal style, functionality needs, and modern trends. ...

Client Dinners Done Right: Tips for Meaningful Engagement

Client dinners offer more than just a meal—they’re an opportunity to build lasting business relationships in a more personal and relaxed setting. Done well, these dinners can str...

From Classic to Contemporary: 5 Timeless Costumes for Any Party

When it comes to dressing up for a costume party, you want to choose something that is not only fun but also memorable. Whether you're attending a Halloween event, a themed gathe...

Action Figures as Art: The Growing Trend of Custom Figures and Modding

Action figures have long been regarded as collectible items, valued by enthusiasts and fans for their connection to popular culture. However, in recent years, a growing trend has...

The Ultimate Guide to Securing Grants for Your Small Business in Australia

Running a small business in Australia comes with both opportunities and challenges. While it can be rewarding, funding your business through the early stages or periods of growth...

Times Magazine

Top Benefits of Hiring Commercial Electricians for Your Business

When it comes to business success, there are no two ways about it: qualified professionals are critical. While many specialists are needed, commercial electricians are among the most important to have on hand. They are directly involved in upholdin...

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

LayBy Shopping