ASSESSMENT TASK: DESCRIPTION
Media content can strongly influence an audience's thoughts, beliefs and attitudes. Several studies have indicated that negative media portrayals regarding culturally diverse and disadvantaged groups perpetuate negative stereotyping and racism in Australia (Coffin, 2007; Stoneham, Goodman, & Daube, 2014; Sweet, 2009). Such prejudice can be considered an 'upstream' determinant of health, and consequently, impacts on the health and wellbeing of the person who is experiencing discrimination. To counteract such deleterious effects, it is imperative that health professionals are aware of such impact and not allow these to influence their care for the person. Moreover, they should act as an advocate in debunking such media items.
This assignment requires you to critically analyse two (2) media items related to a contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' health and wellbeing issue (e.g. rheumatic heart disease, trachoma or depression). For the purposes of this assignment a media item is considered to be: print media (magazine or newspaper articles); a television or radio news clip; or an online platform such a blog that reaches or influences people widely. It does not include cartoons, posters, health promotion YouTube clips, general websites, journal articles, e-books, and government reports/publications (unless it is labelled as a media release). With each selected media item, include the source details (i.e. hyperlink the item) or attach a copy of the item as an appendix so that the marker can review them. The length of a television or radio news clip must be less than 10 minutes.
In your analysis you will need to include:
1. A critical analysis of the article; including discussion regarding how each media item contributes to the discussion/debate about the selected health issue;
- Are biases/stereotypes present? How does this item contribute to knowledge regarding the health issue?
- Justify your stance via linking the discussed health issue to premises/principles such as the social and cultural determinants of health, social justice and population health. Utilise contemporaneous resources such as key government and non-government organisation reports; health promotion programs and initiatives; and peer reviewed journal articles to support your analysis.
2. A prediction of the impact of each item. How does each media item potentially influence the health outcomes and access for the person living with your selected health issue?
When researching and writing this essay, utilise these consideration points:
- Where possible, use a different type and source for each media item. If you are concerned about the suitability of the media item, please contact the subject coordinator.
- The media items must be regarding Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing issues. Media items regarding other First Nations populations are unsuitable.
- It is recommended you discuss each media item separately. For ease of reference, headings are acceptable in this essay.
- You will need to submit your assignment as a Word document to the HS2101/HS3101 Safe Assign final submission dropbox by the due date.
- A minimum of ten (10) contemporary references (five (5) of which should be from peer-reviewed journal articles) should be included in your essay to support the analysis. The media items analysed should also be included in your references but do not contribute to the eight references required. Ensure you reference your media items as per APA (6" ed., 2010) guidelines.
- Word count: 2000 words.