Examining the Australia Day vs Invasion Day Debate: Media Analysis

This report examines the ongoing debate surrounding Australia Day and Invasion Day, focusing on how the issue is represented in various media platforms. The report begins by introducing the core conflict, highlighting the different perspectives on the historical and cultural significance of the day. It delves into how the debate is covered by different media outlets, including traditional media and social media, and the varying viewpoints presented. The report analyzes the viewpoints and perspectives from different sources, including the advertisements, social media posts, and news reports. The report emphasizes the role of media in shaping public opinion and understanding the complexities of the debate. The report uses evidence from news articles and social media posts to support the findings and provides a detailed analysis of the issue.

Running head: INVASION DAY VS AUSTRALIA DAY
INVASION DAY VS AUSTRALIA DAY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note:

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INVASION DAY VS AUSTRALIA DAY
Introduction
The debate of the validity of celebrating Australian Day on 26th of January, when the first
arrival of the British colonists in the native land was marked, is still looming among the masses
of Australia, especially the people whose forefathers were oppressed by the colonial forces and
were removed from their own land. Protests are conducted till date to condemn the colonial
aggression (Usnews.com 2017).
The Nature of Reporting in Different Media
The debate of the two opinions of whether or not to celebrate 26th January have been
widely reported in various media across platforms in Australia. The ABC News reported the
advertisement that portrayed the word “Australian Day” changed to the word “Invasion Day”
and how it very accurately describes the mind of many Australians today. There is a widespread
belief that celebrating the day of which began a bloody history of oppression is insensitive
(Abc.net.au 2017).
Australia's appointee leader, Barnaby Joyce, has told his kindred nationals who don't
share his affection for Australia Day “They are miserable and can crawl under a rock and hide”.
The bonhomie, brew, and grills of Australia's main national day of 26 January – denoting the
start of European settlement in 1788 – is progressively gone to in the 21st century by a furor
about whether the date is cause for festivity by any means (Doherty 2017).
In the social media a crowdfunded advertisement has been viewed millions of times and
shared by the masses which depicted a girl cancelling the Australian Day plans in Facebook.
This has sparked the debate again and contentious opinions have been posted in the social media
by various quarters.

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INVASION DAY VS AUSTRALIA DAY
Conclusion
It has been found that the traditional media mostly holds a neutral view about the
celebrations and reports both the sides of the story, however the social media and new media
platforms are rather radical and protests such celebrations.

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INVASION DAY VS AUSTRALIA DAY
References:
Abc.net.au., 2017. 'You wouldn't celebrate September 11': Ad compares Australia Day to tragic
world events. [online] ABC News. Available at:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-25/invasion-day-video-compares-australia-day-to-
september-11/8211630 [Accessed 18 Mar. 2018].
Doherty, B., 2017. Australia Day attended by growing controversy and calls for date change.
[online] the Guardian. Available at:
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jan/26/australia-day-attended-by-growing-
controversy-and-calls-for-date-change [Accessed 18 Mar. 2018].
Usnews.com., 2017. Australia-day-or-invasion-day-thousands-plan-to-protest. [online]
Usnews.com. Available at: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2018-01-24/australia-
day-or-invasion-day-thousands-plan-to-protest [Accessed 18 Mar. 2018].