Politics, Issues and the Media

Topic Outline

This is a compulsory topic. It provides an opportunity for a synthesis of various elements in the Australian political system to be developed.

Students are to undertake a detailed case study of a current issue in Australian politics which is the subject of public debate, including an evaluation of the media coverage of that issue and its role in the resolution of the issue.

The case study should include:

• an explanation of the issue;
• factors affecting the issue;
• views of key participants;
• methods and tactics employed by participants;
• responses of major political institutions and the community;
• role of the media;
• a critical evaluation of the media coverage of the issue including questions of balance, diversity of opinion, bias.

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