David Flint: The 'shock jocks' are in tune with the silent majority
"AMONG the reactions to last Sunday on Cronulla beach, one was entirely predictable: blame the principal messenger. Lebanese Muslim Association president Ahmad Kamaleddine spoke for many critics when he argued that the riots had "been motivated by people on talkback radio".
Talkback has indeed come of age. It is now conceded to be, albeit grudgingly on the part of mainstream media, a significant source of news and opinion. But to declare it to be an accessory to the commission of serious breaches of the law attributes to it not only gross impropriety and possibly criminal behaviour, but also unbelievable power and influence over an allegedly gullible audience.
Talkback began to emerge as a force at precisely the same time as much of the mainstream "serious" media had found a vocation other than objective news reporting. Journalists were in the process of emerging from being largely unknown and working in a trade under close editorial supervision."
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2 comments:
Multiculturalism hasn't failed as much as Australia in general fails because Aussie culture is so aggressive.
Which Aussie culture? Not in my multicultural neighbourhood.
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