Influence of Social, Political, Cultural and Economic Factors on Health-Related Media in Australia

Bachelor of Nursing
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Australian media on regular basis exhibit health related programmes. Hence, media proved
itself as commanding tool for culturally associated healthcare in Australian population. In this
essay influence of varied factors like social, political, cultural and economic in broadcasting
and presenting health related aspects will be discussed. Two heath related media articles will
be critically analysed and discussed. One article will be positive and another will be negative
and, in both articles, positive and negative aspects will be mentioned
Government health policies can be efficiently transmitted to the public through media. Media
perform proper research and investigation before broadcasting information to the public.
Hence, it can be considered media as institution (Usher et a; 2014).
Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) works as a public service media and it is helpful
in presenting socio-cultural aspects. Community media perform most of the activities which
are close to the community. Democratic course of action can be protected through use of
commercial media. Public, community and commercial media when work together it can
accurately exhibit social, health and political issues in Australia more accurately. Australian
media can effectively impact attitudes, values, beliefs and behaviours of the Australian
people; hence it can be considered as the powerful establishment.
Most important role of Australian media in showcase correct and precise information. Most
of the media never apprehend about its significances after its publication or broadcasting. It
reflects careless journalism which can adversely affect wellbeing of the Australian people.
Media need to broadcast news with respect to health issues of public health in Australia.
Media need to establish proper link between the researchers and private companies,
researchers and public institutions, patient advocacy groups and their sponsors, celebrity
spokespersons and their sponsors, and non-profit health and professional organizations and
their sponsors (Espinel et al., 2013).
Editorial board has the authority to present outcome of less significant studies; however,
flaws in the study need to be incorporated at the time study reporting. Educational role can be
played by media to improve health and wellbeing of public. Media need to broadcast news
related to all the aspects like medicine, health and social determinants of health. However,
Australian media broadcast majority of the news about medical news and less proportion of
news about cost, quality and evidence of these healthcare services (Bastian, 2011).
Legal aspects of the organisation can be effectively improved by protecting information
through structural power hierarchy. Manipulation is required for executing power and it can
be achieved by hiding efforts taken to manipulate information (Leask et al., 2010).
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Healthcare decision making can be effectively achieved through social media. It can alter
public awareness related to health risk and behaviour. Most of the information provided
through media is not always have backing of scientific research evidence. Hence, it is
necessary that public need to verify information from another valid source like healthcare
provider. However, it is evident that majority of the people are not willing to visit healthcare
provider to reconfirm information; instead they depend on information provided by media.
Information broadcasted and presented in the media is in the exaggerated form. Hence,
people should not make perceptions about health solely dependent on media information.
Though, internet and social media are the rich source of health information; there can be
possibility of misinterpretation and confusion related to health information provided by
media (Blom and Hansen, 2015).
Health and cultural attitude and behaviour can be effectively influenced by Australian media.
Media can both positively and negatively impact Australian public. People can learn
independently about heath related issues through media; hence media is first preference for
acquiring information related to the health. Media can strongly influence daily life of the
people (Usher, 2012).
Australian media can both positively and negatively impact varied issues like personal
experience, cultural background, educational attainment, work colleagues and the perceived
Australian culture. Awareness about health-related aspects like practices and services can be
raised through media (Richards et al., 2015).
Power and influence both impact capability. Power has capability to influence and execution
of power can be achieved through influence. Dominant culture can be helpful in framing and
broadcasting information. Public relations and acceptability can be helpful in augmenting
media coverage in the form of issues, products and medications which indicates of power of
media (Lipworth et al., 2012; O'Mara, 2013).
Australian media should broadcast and present culturally suitable and acceptable health
information. Information provided by the media should not preserve specific stereotype and it
should not engage racism and stigma. It can improve health of Australian population with
varied cultural and socioeconomical manner (Jordens et al., 2013).
Media item 1: Mental health crises seeing more kids forced to ED for help; experts call for
greater investment. http://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2018-05-07/youth-mental-health-
emergency-departments/9728918.
Olivia Willis joined ABC in 2014 and since then associated with Science and Health unit
since 2016. It indicates she has relevant experience of writing health related issues.
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