War secrets: how an Australian Prime Minister developed investigative journalism techniques, 1941-1945
Paper
Paper/Presentation Title | War secrets: how an Australian Prime Minister developed investigative journalism techniques, 1941-1945 |
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Presentation Type | Paper |
Authors | |
Author | Coatney, Caryn |
Journal or Proceedings Title | Resiliency in Investigative Journalism Conference Proceedings |
Number of Pages | 15 |
Year | 2014 |
Place of Publication | Springfield, Australia |
Web Address (URL) of Paper | https://www.usq.edu.au/investigative-journalism/call-for-papers |
Conference/Event | Resiliency 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. |
Keywords | John Curtin; Prime Minister; Australia; Australian; press support; journalism; World War II |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 470105. Journalism studies |
440701. Communications and media policy | |
430302. Australian history | |
Public Notes | File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author. |
Byline Affiliations | School of Arts and Communication |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q29ww/war-secrets-how-an-australian-prime-minister-developed-investigative-journalism-techniques-1941-1945
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