War secrets: how an Australian Prime Minister developed investigative journalism techniques, 1941-1945

Paper

Coatney, Caryn. 2014. "War secrets: how an Australian Prime Minister developed investigative journalism techniques, 1941-1945." Resiliency in Investigative Journalism Conference 2014. Springfield, Australia 11 Jul 2014 Springfield, Australia.
Paper/Presentation Title

War secrets: how an Australian Prime Minister developed investigative journalism techniques, 1941-1945

Presentation TypePaper
Authors
AuthorCoatney, Caryn
Journal or Proceedings TitleResiliency in Investigative Journalism Conference Proceedings
Number of Pages15
Year2014
Place of PublicationSpringfield, Australia
Web Address (URL) of Paperhttps://www.usq.edu.au/investigative-journalism/call-for-papers
Conference/EventResiliency in Investigative Journalism Conference 2014
Event Details
Resiliency in Investigative Journalism Conference 2014
Event Date
11 Jul 2014
Event Location
Springfield, Australia
Abstract

During escalating Pacific crises, the former journalist and Australian Prime Minister John Curtin confided war secrets to a select circle of reporters to elicit media support for his leadership in World War II. Although his briefings appeared astonishingly indiscreet, there are research gaps on how Curtin selectively developed journalistic techniques, including off-the-record talks and news leaks, to influence the media portrayal of Australia’s role in the Pacific war. This paper uses secret wartime diaries, confidential cables and unscreened newsreels to reveal Curtin’s ability to win press support for his controversial decision to bring home the nation’s troops from Burma battles in 1942. He expanded the political correspondents’ roles as instruments of public diplomacy to sway Allied public opinion towards supporting Australian defence. While he benefited from censorship, he legitimised the use of candid press relations that opened more opportunities for the growth of investigative reporting of Australia’s involvement in war.

KeywordsJohn Curtin; Prime Minister; Australia; Australian; press support; journalism; World War II
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020470105. Journalism studies
440701. Communications and media policy
430302. Australian history
Public Notes

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