News, science and politics on the icy continent : the mediated construction of the Australian Antarctic Territory

Abstract

For most people, Antarctica is a mysterious frozen continent: home to heroic tales of daring adventure; a place dedicated to science and collaboration; and more recently, a symbol of fears about global warming. Antarctica is strategically important to Australia, with the country claiming 42 per cent of the continent – a claim closely associated with the nation’s long connection to the region, spanning the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration (1895-1914) to the present day. Antarctic scholarship in the humanities and social sciences is increasingly interested in public engagement with the continent, with studies focusing on literature, advertising, music and the arts, but the role of news media has been largely overlooked. This thesis addresses this significant gap in the existing literature by investigating how journalistic practice and news media coverage influence public understanding of, and engagement with, Antarctica. The continent’s geographical isolation, along with its prominence in a time of changing climate and growing geopolitical tension make this an ideal setting for exploring journalistic practice in contemporary times. This is the first study to produce a systematic, empirical analysis of the interplay between news, science and politics on the icy continent, by mapping news discourse about Australia’s engagement with Antarctica, using content analysis of online news articles and 29 interviews with journalists, scientists, and other Antarctic stakeholders. Analysis of news content has revealed unexpected and surprising results, which challenge existing understanding of how Antarctica is mediatised, and the role of science in this process. Fewer than one third of Australian online news articles examined are concerned with Antarctic science and research and concern for the fragile Antarctic environment is notably absent in news discourse, which is instead focused on Australians living and working in Antarctica. This study also investigated the structural and cultural barriers to news access. It has found that tight control over events, the flow of information and access to the Australian Antarctic Territory, has a direct impact on news gathering and reporting. These structural barriers are further complicated by the cultural barriers experienced by journalists reporting from the continent, and about the continent. These factors contribute to control of the message, and result in few moments of challenge to dominant discourse about the continent that promotes Australia as a world leader in Antarctic science and mythologises the deeds of scientists and expeditioners. This discourse reinforces framing of Antarctica as a place of adventure, a place of heroes, and a place that is occupied by Australia. As a multi-disciplinary project, this thesis offers important new analysis for both Antarctic studies and media studies. It argues that greater transparency about Australia’s involvement in Antarctic is needed in order to better communicate the challenges of climate change on the continent and the globe. It also argues for greater scrutiny into the impact this lack of transparency has on journalistic ideals of impartiality and objectivity. Finally, it argues for increased recognition of the key role of news in contributing to public understanding of Earth’s southernmost continent.