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Political Journalism and My

Concept of the Pathway


There
Innovation and modernisation have been permanently planted within the media and
communications industry. It is the job of all media workers to revolutionise side by side with
this trend, which will ultimately fuel their success within their chosen area of expertise. As an
aspiring political journalist, it is my conclusion that to evolve and adapt to this ever changing
industry, it is my duty to execute three essential components to fuel my desired career.
Sexism occurs within any work place, but within a male dominated hierarchy, it is the duty of
women to not let the misogynistic comments of society and the political industry to get the
better of us. Politics is a dynamic monopoly; it is difficult to establish a career that is
integrated around developing field. Ethics within journalism has always been a contentious
issue. When writing and reporting about politics, it will be an important factor to remain as
Switzerland in the work, and not allow political bias to play a role in the tasks of a political
reporter. Combining all three of these factors together will enable me to create an adaptable
career in the industry of political journalism.
In the 21st century we have attempted to eradicate unnecessary discrimination, but the truth is
that discrimination is still apparent in modern society. Sexism in the media industry is as clear
as day. The Australians Womens Register recently stated that the men in high status media
related jobs marginalise and stereotype women as professional news writers and reporters
(Womenaustralia.info, 2016). Recent statistics released from a Landmark Survey said that
within 500 media corporations from around the world, only 1/3 of the professionals within
those enterprises are women (J. Wihbey, 2015). In such industries as sport, it is obvious why
there should be a separation of men and women. We are built differently and have contrasting
strengths and weaknesses. In journalism however, why should women be treated inferior in
an industry where the work and success depends on your intelligence? Intellect should not be
discriminated as men and women are equally capable of accomplishment. There has been a
recent investigation into female sports reporters. Sports journalism is similar to political
journalism as they are both acknowledged to be a mans world. The Footy Shows reporter,
Erin Molan, spoke out about the degrading social media comments that she had to deal with,
saying When I started I got a lot of You should be in the kitchen, and those were the nice
ones, (E. Reynolds, 2015). Within a mans world, how can women like myself overcome
this unfair bias that is distributed upon us due to nave suggestion that we are not as capable
in our work as men. Vice President of marketing for Jawbone, Danika Laszuk, elaborated on
the positives of assertiveness when faced with sexism in the work place, specifically within
media corporations. When faced with derogative opinions throughout her initial interview,
she assertively stood her ground and told her future employer that she does not appreciate
being talked down to, before she even commenced her job (L. Kamps, 2015). Laszuk then
continued to say that speaking up for your beliefs can illustrate respect from employers. As
discussed earlier, sports journalist, Eric Molan, also revealed her means of getting through the
sexist comments that women in her job title face. Molan said Ive copped some nasty tweets
and comments. You always see them, but Im much better at dealing with them now. Youve
Anna Wilson, KJB102 Assessment 3, Semester 1 2016

got to have a good support network and be in a good place. If Im feeling tired and
vulnerable, it will affect me more, (E. Reynolds, 2015). The main issue that I will face when
it comes to the demeaning of women in the world of political journalism, is whether to stand
up to these powerful men and perhaps have my assertiveness manipulated as bossiness.
Taking this step may change my professional reputation into that of a grump, but I know
that I would be happier within my career if I took steps to assertively put those men back in
their place and let them know how I felt about their discriminative opinions, instead of being
regarded as a lovely little girl.
Politics and legislation are constantly evolving, whether MPs are introducing or amending
legislation or opposing political parties are debating. Political journalism will involve
constant updates and background training to completely understand the cogs and operations
of politics. Researching the stress that politicians face can reflect the same stress and work
hours that a political journalist will encounter. Irish politician, Fergus ODowd, stated to the
Irish Independent that Political life is stressful, there is always another election to worry
about, always conversations with people in dire circumstances who badly need help. But it is
also very rewarding. Reading history allows me to relax and enter a different world,
(Independent.ie, 2015). Being able to find my own way of destressing and unwinding as a
political journalist will not only allow me to have a life outside work, but also allow me to
report with a clear head. One necessary element of political journalism is to keep the
readership constantly updated, as the politicians are regularly meeting for debates or
appearing on news platforms to provide interviews. Social media can assist my political
journalist career by enabling me to keep my audience posted with Twitter or even quick blog
updates. Assistant political editor at The Spectator, Isabel Hardman, recently said that They
(journalists) dont save stories for the print edition of a newspaper they are constantly
updating their followers via Twitter of the latest developments in a running story (I.
Hardman, 2014). The introduction and constant availability of social media provides political
journalists to reach out to their audience and engage with them whenever and wherever a
story breaks. Author at the Journalists Resource, John Wihbey, said that Social networking
sites are used as a form of participation and engagement in and of itself, helping to shape
public understanding of public affairs (J. Whibley, 2015). By setting up a Twitter account, I
will be able to reach out to my audience and constantly produce them with political updates
which will allow them to feel engaged with political movements. I am currently studying a
double degree in journalism and law at the Queensland University of Technology. I believe
that by completing a law degree as well as a journalism degree, will provide me with a deeper
insight into politics which will assist me with writing political stories. By completing this
degree, it will also present an opportunity of attending the Queensland Law Society which
can give me the opportunity to administer myself into becoming a practicing solicitor. By
working as a solicitor, I may be able to gain some further knowledge into the background of
politics which may facilitate my political journalist career. Combining my law degree with
my journalism degree will inevitably allow me to develop my careers in both industries as
they are interrelated.
When writing about politics it is important to keep the concept of the Fourth Estate in mind.
An important component in government is the Fourth Estate as it plays a vital role within
democracy (Crichton et al., n.d.). Journalist at About News, Kathy Gills, recently described
the role of the Fourth Estate in America The First Amendment to the Constitution frees the
press but carries with it a responsibility to be the peoples watchdog (K. Gills, 2016). This
also involves the notion of the freedom of the press. Associate Professor and Director of
Australian Centre for Independent Journalism and head of the Faculty of Humanities and

Anna Wilson, KJB102 Assessment 3, Semester 1 2016

Social Sciences at the University of Technology in Sydney, Chris Nash, described the
freedom of the press as a way to minimize the prior constraints on publication of
information and to maximize the opportunities for deliberation, (C. Nash, 2005). The job of
a political journalist involves informing their readership about all political news. It is
important to not let opinion or relationship get in the way of this vital job. Some political
journalists form close bonds with certain politicians, in return for writing complimentary
news articles on their behalf, MPs supply them with additional information (I. Hardman,
2014). EthicsNet is an online website which discusses the ethics of journalism, they stated in
their journalism code of ethics that The freedom of the press involves the possibility to
freely discuss and criticize the activities of both the authorities and civil and private
structures, (Ethicnet, n.d.) I believe it will be my responsibility to not allow the manipulation
of politicians to allow me to sway my articles as a political journalist. To stop myself from
being shaped by the influence of particular politicians, it is important to remember the policy
of freedom of speech. Many believe that Australia has an equivalent Bill of Rights which
include an Amendment to Freedom of Speech, as America does. However, in our
Commonwealth Constitution we do not have an explicitly identical rule of law, but there has
been High Court precedent cases which constitute to the freedom of speech and press. In the
case of Nationwide News Pty Ltd v Wills and Australian Capital Television Pty Ltd v
Commonwealth in 1992 it was established that there was an implicit freedom of speech
respecting to governmental affairs (FindLaw Team, 2016). By always reminding myself of
the freedom of speech in Australia, I will be able to write candidly about political events.
Writing sincerely to audiences interrelates with the ethics of a journalist. Respected media
ethicist and lecturer of ethics, Stephen Ward, described media ethics as a way to develop a
comprehensive set of principles and standard for the practice of journalism (S. Ward). A
major issue of media ethics occurred during the 2012 radio host prank call to the King
Edward VIIs hospital where Princess Kate Middelton had been admitted. The prank intended
to be an innocent joke revolving around the radio hosts fake accents. However, the nurse that
answered their phone call and transferred their call to Kates room committed suicide after
her humiliation from the prank call (K. Huus, 2012). This horrific and unexpected event
made the media industry rethink their ethics. I believe that when pursuing any stroy in my
desired career, it will be important for me to think about all possible ethical repercussions that
can occur from my career choices. Political journalism is what I believe to be a neutral
territory, and it will be vital for me to remember that my writing should be used as a tool to
inform my audience and not a means of persuasion.
The enterprise of political journalism will continue to diversify and transform, and I believe
that both challenging and embracing these changes is what will qualify me as a great political
journalist. To survive in this mans world of work, I will need to understand that women in
politics do deal with misogyny. I believe the best way to confront this unnecessary jargon will
be to state my dislike with that certain attitude the second that it is expressed to me. By
hitting the hammer on the head, I will be showing my strength and not allowing anyone to
treat me with unneeded disrespect on the basis that I wear heels. As politics is not a 9 to 5 job,
but a whole day consuming profession, I should incorporate the adaptability of social media
into my workload. This will enable me to constantly update loyal political spectators. By
completing my law degree alongside my journalism degree, I will be able to gain political
skills that I would have never learnt by solely studying a journalism degree. Bias writing is
not informative to readers, it is persuasive. I will always incorporate the principle of fair
writing, without any politician or public opinions to sway me from writing about the truth. By
consolidating these principles, I believe I will be able to survive in this tough industry as a
political journalist.

Anna Wilson, KJB102 Assessment 3, Semester 1 2016

Sources
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Findlaw.com.au. (2016). Do we have the right to freedom of speech in Australia?. [online]
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Anna Wilson, KJB102 Assessment 3, Semester 1 2016

Wihbey, J. (2015). Gender disparities and journalism: Research perspectives - Journalist's


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Anna Wilson, KJB102 Assessment 3, Semester 1 2016

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