Older Australians need dedicated expert reporters and a stronger voice in the media if issues affecting them are to be fairly represented, new research has found.
Better media representation would also help to combat age discrimination, say the researchers from Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
The study, published in media journal Journalism Practice, suggests that if news organisations in Australia created a ‘round’ for reporting on ageing and aged care issues, the sector would be much better represented, and entrenched ageism potentially less prevalent.
The research also suggests that the voice of politicians and other ‘elites’ are given much more attention as media sources than people in aged care, aged care staff or the families of older people.
The researchers looked at which sources journalists at four national news outlets (The Saturday Paper, Guardian Australia, The Australian and the ABC) used in their respective coverage of the aged care royal commission between 1 October 2018 and 31 December 2019.
They found that the commission, and aged care related stories in general, were usually relegated to general news reporters and did not have their own dedicated coverage team. They also found these large media organisations lacked specialist aged care and age-related experts in their editorial teams.
Dr T. J. Thomson, senior author of the study, says older Australians are deserving of their own dedicated voice within media organisations, such as those covering many other sectors of society, e.g. banking.
“In Australia, news coverage of older people and the aged care sector are overwhelmingly covered by generalist reporters or, for larger and better-resourced organisations, more specialised ‘social affairs’ journalists who, however, still have a relatively large remit that can include ageing, disability, welfare, immigration, free speech, health, industrial relations, population policy and more,” he says.
“Without an exclusive focus on a particular topic or audience, journalists can only skim the surface and are forced to juggle stories related to ageing in addition to their other duties and responsibilities.”
“It does suggest news organisations view certain topics as more worthy of investment and attention than other topics and demographics.”
When discussing aged care matters, the researchers found these media outlets overwhelmingly (79.7 per cent) went to what they called ‘elite’ sources for information – politicians, government and institutional sources, academics and other healthcare experts.
In contrast, journalists spoke to ‘non-elite’ sources such aged care residents, affected family members and aged care workers in only 20.3 per cent of cases.
“Journalists here are also far more likely to focus on the economic or political implications of aged care compared to the social implications,” says Dr Thomson.
“There are many layers to this. As well as deadline pressures, the complexity of the topic, and the lack of specialised understanding. There are also difficulties with access to the aged care homes and facilities where older people live and with being able to interview older people who have dementia or other issues that can prevent them from sharing their stories.”
Do you think older Australians are covered fairly by the media? Should there be more dedicated aged care journalists? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
Also read: Aged care providers call for urgent rule change
Discrimination of older people is alive and well, it occurs in industry, it occurs in the media just look at the coverage if an older person is involved in an accident, the calls for older people to be retested yearly abound, annual medical test to prove your fitness to drive ( 75 and over in NSW ) shopping you become almost invisible, the recent changes to scripts everyone’s came down, pensioners scripts went up, that move wouldn’t have a significant effect on many pensioners but for some who are on lots of medication it might make a big difference until they reach the safety net. None of the things mentioned have an impact on myself except for the inconvenience of having an eyesight and medical check which is probably a good idea anyway and maybe more people need these tests. Perhaps we need a dedicated representative group to parliament.
I agree there is a need of stronger means of communication for aged people and issues.
I am 71, and expected to work till at least 75.
I don’t take medication I am fit or I was in mind and body.
I had an injury provoked by people with disabilities at work, o 4/8/22 and since , have been dead totally incapacitated in mind and body, yet neither the work place or insurer will not provide assistance due to my age.
I can’t get a senior pension and there is no one to assist or talk to and in august this year, I will depend on my children if I wish to continue living.
My levels of stress, depression and anxiety are so high and there is no one to listen or assist with sound advise.
If there was a strong media system I could at least speak to someone to find some options.
Australia is so youth orientated, its almost like older people are some mythical, non existent group. In Europe older people are everywhere and out and about in the streets, and they have a voice. Its not uncommon to see older talk show hosts and guests and they have their own tv variety shows with the music they like etc. Here older people are dismissed as ‘boomers’ who are somehow responsible for the housing crisis and wealth disparity.
If other groups can have a Voice in Parliament, why can’t older Australians?
Oh yeah, that’s right. We ALL already have a voice in Parliament, we vote and our local members are our voice..
I agree with Jaquie. Except for Queensland it seems that to be a tv presenter in Australia they need to look under 30 even if they are not. Europeans and Americans seem to appreciate the knowledge and experience (and fewer giggles) of older presenters.
Besides better, positive media coverage we also need far stronger representation to governments. Industry, businesses and workers have strong lobbying capability which we can’t but should match given the growing size of our community.