Media Influence

The broadsheet newspaper The Sydney Morning Herald entitle their article 'Come Clean Kevin'. The equivalent story written in The Daily Telegraph was entitled, 'PM Bones Minister'. These articles being introduced are about Prime Minister John Howard placing pressure on Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd to 'come clean' over his business dealings with convicted charlatan, former West Australian premier Brian Burke. Kevin Rudd has strongly denied he ever met with the disgraced Mr. Burke to seek his support on a challenge for the Australian Labor Party Leadership. Senator Ian Campbell was made to resign after he revealed having met with the convicted charlatan last year.

The articles both include photographs of Senator Ian Campbell after he had just announced his resignation from parliament. The expression of Ian Campbell is melancholy and entails a sense of shame.

'The portrayal of politicians by the media is such that one might, inadvertently, form the impression that politicians never do anything positive (let alone anything noble and constructive) for society's benefit.' (Bourdieu, 1998)

As if all this scandal was not humiliating enough for Kevin Rudd being forced to own up to his wrong doings, The Daily Telegraph have incorporated a separate article on page 5 titled, 'Rudd also paid rent to his wife.' Also included in the Telegraph on page 32 is a play on words on the TV show 'Burke's Backyard' as the newspaper has featured a drawing titled 'Burke's Backyard', which shows Mr. Burke in a backyard picnic with Kevin Rudd.

The Sydney Morning Herald is a broadsheet newspaper, which features articles that would be considered 'hard' news. As this article deals with political issues it would be categorized as 'hard' news as it deals with 'important' stories and 'contains hard facts' Turner (2006 pp. 10).

'News values are relevant to discussions about news and politics'. (Turner, 2006 pp.8) Both these articles are evidently dealing with real people and factual events. Power is a news value that is current as it states, "PM demands Rudd reveal all about his meetings with Brian Burke." (Sydney Morning Herald pp.4) Prominence and Conflict are other news values comprised in this story as it involves well-known political figures. The media carry so much political news. Journalists see themselves as playing an imperative role in the public debate that forms the foundation for democracy.

Chaos and Drama are stories the public is fascinated in. As a result, The Daily Telegraph and The Sydney Morning Herald have mutually made front page with this news-breaking story, for the reason that it is scandalous. It deals with Australian's, hence introducing the news value of proximity.

'Perishable - other stories replace current stories rapidly. (Yesterday's T-shirt).' Turner (2006 pp.3) Overtime the story became perishable, as it was no longer front-page news and being broadcasted on national television news. It just faded away into the background of a fast moving society. That's why timeliness regarding newspaper articles is important. Other stories that would be considered more important or entertaining will replace it.

'The information you consider most newsworthy depends in part on your own values, experiences and knowledge' Blake (2000). This is articulated similarly in both articles.

The Daily Telegraph employs the sub-heading "Political Scandal", and The Sydney Morning Herald utilizes "Poison Touch". These cautiously chosen words interest the reader into further reading.

The Daily Telegraph and The Sydney Morning Herald have significantly different layouts. The Daily Telegraph has taken up over 3 pages for this story, filled with bold headings and scandalous photos. These photos would attract the reader's attention as colour photos of Labor leader Kevin Rudd, Senator Ian Campbell and Brian Burke are spread through out the paper. There is also a picture of the invitation to illustrate