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Journalism in a diverse, MMP democracy – help or hindrance?

This presentation discusses the impact of journalism in a diverse MMP democracy, highlighting the importance of understanding electoral processes, engaging citizens, and addressing challenges faced by media. It also emphasizes the role of journalism education in equipping journalists with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of MMP democracy.

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Journalism in a diverse, MMP democracy – help or hindrance?

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  1. Journalism in a diverse, MMP democracy – help or hindrance? JEANZ Annual Conference 2004 Peter Northcote Manager Communications

  2. New Zealand’s electoral framework and processes are widely used, understood, trusted and valued • Used - people participate broadly in politics and specifically in elections, as voters, candidates and members of political parties • Understood – people know how all aspects of the electoral processes and framework work and so can, for instance: cast an effective as well as a valid vote; register a party; or fulfil their obligations as a candidate or party official • Trusted – people are confident that the electoral framework is working as it is meant to and provides a fair way of allowing the people to choose their representatives • Valued – people attach importance to a democratic system in general and the particular framework and processes used in New Zealand. People respect the democratic rules and treasure a democratic society • People – all people in New Zealand, recognising diversity of current political engagement which encompasses interest, awareness, knowledge and participation. Also recognising that people differ in their political interest and needs and in the ways in which they take in and use information

  3. Agenda • Diversity in the electorate • Political engagement • Trends in political reportage • Information needs for effective MMP voting • Challenges for journalism education • Offers of continuing involvement

  4. Challenges of growing electoral diversity • Since 2002: 180k have turned 18, 150k immigrated • 2001 to 2006: Pakeha fall 79 to 76%, Maori steady 15%, Pacific steady 7%, Asian increase 7% to 10% • Visibility and impact depends on regional population shifts – some quite dramatic • Maori younger, over-represented without direct vote

  5. Engagement, efficacy and falling social capital • 74% of 18-24 year olds enrolled vs 95% for 25 years+ • Total enrolment (June 2004) 95% est. voting age pop • 55% of Maori on Maori roll, now first roll of choice

  6. Turnout in general and Maori electorates - % of enrolled

  7. NZ general elections turnout %

  8. Efficacy, Engagement, Social Capital • Efficacy – people’s belief in their own ability to know what is going on, be heard, and make a difference politically • Engagement – things like taking in the news, belonging to a party, enrolling or voting • Social Capital – measure of social and cultural factors … connectiveness represented by networks, norms and trust that promote civic engagement

  9. Media Trends - Politics • Growing ‘qual-pop’ journalism, growing tabloid bias • Media economics encourage audience maximisation and search for economies of scale • Topics that divide marginalised in favour of human interest stories exaggerating commonality of experience • Social conflict attributed to bad individuals, not class, economic circumstance, or system inequities

  10. Media Trends – Election 2002 • TV dominated by campaign strategy, “horse race”, polls • Print coverage (NZH, DomPost, ODT) 28.2% substance issues, 6.8% polls, 67.7% other “game” stories; substance 11 of 67 front page stories; leaders focus of 32%

  11. Risks of electoral non-engagement • Lack of political attention • Mis-blaming by electorate • Reinforcing futile behaviour • Unbalanced “temperature taking” • Legitimate protest • Democracy threatening action • Risks for media

  12. MMP dimension to election coverage “Polls predict Maori party overhang”

  13. Sunday Star-Times poll 28/11/04

  14. MMP dimension to election coverage

  15. MMP dimension to election coverage Because parties below the 5% threshold do not gain seats, the ‘wasted vote’ typical of the MMP elections means Labour probably has enough support to go it alone.

  16. MMP dimension to election coverage

  17. MMP dimension to election coverage “Epsom key to Act’s future” etc

  18. MMP dimension to election coverage

  19. MMP dimension to election coverage “Party list ‘reflecting NZ’ anything but” “Political fundamentalism or electoral pragmatism?” “Parties’ Policy Positions Explained”

  20. A role for Journalism education? • Critical knowledge of how MMP works • Roles and relationships of different elements of NZ’s constitution and system of government • How politics is factor in all our lives, and the opportunities we have to engage • Self-awareness of media, newsmakers and market

  21. A role for Journalism education? • So better prepared: • Set media agenda • Know the questions to ask • Engage different audiences with new information • We’re here and willing to help

  22. Journalism in a diverse, MMP democracy – help or hindrance? JEANZ Annual Conference 2004 Peter Northcote Manager Communications

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