Influencing international news: Robert G. Menzies and wartime journalists, 1939-1966

Paper

Coatney, Caryn. 2013. "Influencing international news: Robert G. Menzies and wartime journalists, 1939-1966." Hanusch, Folker and English, Peter (ed.) Journalism Education Association of Australia Conference (JEAA 2013): Redrawing the Boundaries: Journalism Research, Education and Professional Culture in Times of Change. Sunshine Coast, Australia 02 - 04 Dec 2013 South Australia.
Paper/Presentation Title

Influencing international news: Robert G. Menzies and wartime journalists, 1939-1966

Presentation TypePaper
Authors
AuthorCoatney, Caryn
EditorsHanusch, Folker and English, Peter
Journal or Proceedings TitleProceedings of the Journalism Education Association of Australia Conference (JEAA 2013)
ERA Conference ID80154
60649
Number of Pages35
Year2013
Place of PublicationSouth Australia
Web Address (URL) of Paperhttp://jeaa.org.au/file/file/Coatney%20-%20Influencing%20international%20news.pdf
Conference/EventJournalism Education Association of Australia Conference (JEAA 2013): Redrawing the Boundaries: Journalism Research, Education and Professional Culture in Times of Change
Journalism Education Association (JEA) Conference
Event Details
Journalism Education Association of Australia Conference (JEAA 2013): Redrawing the Boundaries: Journalism Research, Education and Professional Culture in Times of Change
Redrawing the Boundaries: Journalism Research, Education and Professional Culture in Times of Change
Parent
Journalism Education and Research Association of Australia Conference
Event Date
02 to end of 04 Dec 2013
Event Location
Sunshine Coast, Australia
Event Details
Journalism Education Association (JEA) Conference
JEA
Abstract

Between World War II and the growing Vietnam conflict, Robert Gordon Menzies expanded the use of relatively new media to persuade more Australian journalists and public audiences to support his leadership during Asia-Pacific crises. This paper aims to help fill research gaps on Australia's longest serving prime minister by investigating Menzies' televised interviews, filmed talks and newsreel offcuts based on the concepts of the public sphere and democratic governance. Through a multi-media approach including a rare examination of secret diaries, letters and war cables, this paper conducts two case studies to assess Menzies' development of news management techniques. First, this paper identifies his news media achievements and failures during his four-month international trip in 1941. Secondly, an analysis is made of his use of the news media, particularly televised journalism, to secure more public support during his alliance with United States President John F. Kennedy from 1961 to 1963. Following from this conceptual framework, the paper shows Menzies' ability to master media technology, involve more broadcast journalists in two-way discussions and expand his direct talks with public audiences. His news management techniques contributed towards the growth of more contemporary media relations between political leaders and journalists in Australia. A study of these techniques is instructive for journalism students to understand the influence of the Menzies style of dominating, persuasive political tactics and to delve beyond official communications when reporting on international crises.

KeywordsRobert Gordon Menzies; political communication; wartime reporting; political journalism; international news
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020470105. Journalism studies
440701. Communications and media policy
520599. Social and personality psychology not elsewhere classified
Public Notes

© The Journalism Education Association of Australia (JEAA) 2013. You may view the contents of this website and save an electronic copy, download, or print all or part of this website for your own information, research or study. All other use requires permission. Permission, if given, will be subject to conditions that will include a requirement that the copyright owner's name, JEAA, be acknowledged when the material is reproduced or quoted, either in whole or in part.

Byline AffiliationsSchool of Humanities and Communication
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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