December is quintessentially reflective. As we gaze on the year that’s been, optimism for improvement spurs us on for the one to come. Part of this process is examining how we have fared because without this assessment, there can be no blueprint for navigating what's ahead.
It was this time last year that Next25 considered the challenges facing Australia and set out 12 wishes for 2021. One wish was for a media and social media that foster respectful, nuanced, and constructive debate around contentious issues. Twelve months later, our recent Recoded report has found a similar aspiration among leaders and decision-makers across the country. The report is based on deeply reflective, one-on-one interviews that examine the current state of the nation and unearth what more is needed to create the future Australia wants. With this knowledge, Recoded identified four leverage points to transform the nation. One of these is enabling and embracing constructive discourse. But to do that, we must first understand why our national discourse is dysfunctional. Here are three factors Recoded found to be contributing to the problem:
1. Increasing intolerance toward others
Australian society is viewed as becoming increasingly divided across political, ideological, and cultural lines. Different ideologies fuel alienation rather than empathetic discussions. Fear and anger towards “others” contribute to certain communities being left behind.
“People are so threatened by just how quickly the status quo [is] shifting and that they're not being brought along in the conversation and [that] means you go … one of two ways: despair, or resentment. You just get really, really angry at these strange people … around gender, and race, and class, all of the things that their generation has been told to keep a lid on. And they're probably very frightened.” - Recoded interviewee
2. Lack of nuance in the media
The media is criticised for blaming and labelling people without considering nuance. The commercial media model and newsroom culture deepens divides. While this is not a new issue, it has worsened in recent years. Echo chambers are enabled by the media and social media as people gravitate toward like-minded perspectives. Social media has a negative impact on political processes by channelling conspiracy theories and misinformation. The strengthening of narrow opinions through these echo chambers makes it difficult for people to explore differences and find common ground. The media must accept that there are often no simple or single answers, and allow people to change their minds as they explore issues and deepen their understanding.
“Media, again, plays a role in this. Too quick to sort of point the finger, too quick to label people, everyone’s got to be put in a box, oh that person is sexist, that person’s racist, that person is an economic rationalist, that person is a socialist. It’s kind of like, until we put someone in a box, we don’t seem to be happy. Most people are not like that. I mean, I have a very broad range of views on a whole lot of things … some would be to the left, some would be to the right, but that doesn’t define me...” - Recoded interviewee
3. Dysfunctional relationship between media and politics
The relationship between the media and politicians is largely considered as having the most influence upon Australia’s ability to make the future it wants. The power of media and private interests can outweigh what’s in the public interest, and the level of media scrutiny means politicians will always consider how their actions will be reported. Both are driven by outrage, conflict, and negativity. This fuels polarisation and stifles constructive debate. For politicians, running a smear campaign is easier than making a case for meaningful policies and reform. For journalists, negative stories gain more attention.
“The media plays a very heavy role in shaping public opinion and political outcomes. Unfortunately, our political system has deteriorated over time into a system that is increasingly influenced by the availability of news and conflicting views.” - Recoded interviewee
While these issues have been a thorn in Australia’s side for years, the leaders and decision-makers we spoke with through Recoded share an optimism for change. Recoded’s examination of the root causes beneath Australia’s dysfunctional discourse provides the knowledge and awareness to build a better future. As a further cause for optimism, Next25 Navigator found that 15-29 year olds in Australia want much more “willingness to talk out our disagreements”, “acceptance of those with different views”, and “empathy for disadvantaged groups”, suggesting that the upcoming generation is likely to catalyse a better national conversation.
So, how might we enable more constructive discourse across Australian society? Next25 knows that this work cannot be done in isolation, as we all have a role to play in making Australia’s future. We encourage everyone to reflect, assess, and set intentions for the new year. Be open to new perspectives, come to conversations with empathy and compassion, and consider how you can contribute to a more constructive conversation. Through Recoded, Next25 will continue in 2022 to work with individuals, organisations, and institutions across the nation to bring a new solution to life that improves Australia’s national discourse. Together, we can make the future Australia wants.
Get in touch to be involved in the next steps of Next25 Recoded. To find out more about the program and the other three catalytic leverage points for improving Australia’s future, visit our website. Sign up to our mailing list to stay up to date on our progress.