Solution
David answered on
Dec 26 2021
Running head: MEDIA ASSIGNMENT 1
MEDIA AND THE AUSTRALIAN HEALTHCARE
Student‟s Name:
Institution‟s Name:
Course Title:
Date:
MEDIA ASSIGNMENT 2
Media and the Australian Healthcare
Introduction
The potential of media to
ing about changes in the sphere of healthcare is
undeniable. In this context the power and role of the Australian media should be highlighted.
It has been observed that, in a multicultural nation like Australia there are some specific
gaps in the sphere of healthcare, and though it is often difficult to
idge such gaps that are
triggered by cultural or economic disparities, media has rendered efforts to address the issue
and mitigate some of the related problems. Many Australian newspapers and a good number
of social media platforms have highlighted the importance of infusing practices that are
conducive to culturally safe healthcare, and due to such efforts that the Australian healthcare
delivery systems are now on the verge of substantial improvement. But despite the crucial
ole played by social media, its negative impacts on the sphere of healthcare has to be
analyzed in order to ascertain how media, in spite of having the potential to usher overall
development within the realm of healthcare in Australia, have contributed negatively in
elevating the degree of confusion and dilemmas that has put hindrances on the way of the
growth and development in the Australian healthcare system.
Body
Besley, Nisbet, and Scheufele have observed (as cited in Meurk et al., 2016) that,
“Surveys and qualitative studies conducted in the United Kingdom and North America
indicate that scientists often assume that ignorance is the main cause of public and political
opposition to research findings, and hence see the media as an important communication
channel to co
ect this ignorance.” This attitude is evident in the outlook of the Australian
healthcare practitioners, who, despite knowing the power of media to distort facts, rely much
on it for appropriate dispersion of such knowledge that can help policymakers in formulating
and enacting healthcare policies befitting the demands of the multicultural Australian society.
This reliance of the Australian medical community on the potential and power of the media is
an embodiment of the belief that have been shown by Benelli (as cited in “Collaborate
Session”, 2017) while commenting that, “Although despite some evidence of inaccuracy, the
media still has the potential to play, in future, an important strategic role in disseminating
accurate information on issues pertaining to health.” Moreover, in terms of the role and
power of the mass media in dispersing information helpful for promoting culturally suitable
healthcare is evident from the fact that, “Vast sums are spent annually for materials and
salaries that have gone into the production and distribution of booklets, pamphlets, exhibits,
newspaper articles, and radio and television programs. These media are employed at all
levels of public health in the hope that three effects might occur: the learning of co
ect
MEDIA ASSIGNMENT 3
health information and knowledge, the changing of health attitudes and values and the
establishment of new health behavior” (Catalan-Metamoros, 2011). It is in respect of the
important role that is often played by the news media in terms of promoting public health in
Australia that the “Health” section of ABC News should be given much emphasis. ABC
News, as one of the prominent names in Australian (as well as global) news media, has
played its significant part in developing the nature of healthcare in Australia by generating
news that have the potential to mobilize and support local agencies and professionals who
have direct access to those target populations that are in need of sufficient healthcare
(Catalan-Metamoros, 2011). The news network has also contributed to the enhancement of
the Australian healthcare system by paving the way for the emergence of information that
eventually helped in the establishment of partnerships between public, voluntary and private
sector bodies and between professional organizations (Catalan-Metamoros, 2011). The
news media in Australia, despite its shortcomings, have not only played a crucial role in
“Informing and educating the public, but also setting the agenda for public debate about the
health topic, thereby modifying the climate of opinion su
ounding it” (Catalan-Metamoros,
2011). Moreover, the Australian news media, to a large extent, have played a vital role in
ushering local and national policy changes so that a supportive healthcare environment
could be created and the relationship between the healthcare delivery systems and the
patients could be improved.
The efficacy of news...