Talanoa and Habermas's Theory of Communicative Action: journalistic practices in the tropical Pacific

M'Balla-Ndi, Marie, and Newlands, Maxine (2016) Talanoa and Habermas's Theory of Communicative Action: journalistic practices in the tropical Pacific. Etropic: electronic journal of studies in the tropics, 15 (2). pp. 68-81.

[img] PDF (Published Version) - Published Version
Restricted to Repository staff only

View at Publisher Website: https://journals.jcu.edu.au/etropic/arti...
 
3


Abstract

Western journalism educators can learn from Pacific island communication practices to improve ways of sharing knowledge across the tropics. Often Western journalists reporting on events in the tropics, do so through a lens of parachute journalism. This paper analyses current Western journalism and communication practices in the Pacific, and draws on concepts relevant to general communication such as talanoa and Habermas's 'Theory of Communicative Action' (1989).

Three key points are argued in this paper: firstly, that traditional communication practices in the South Pacific and Pacific region more generally, are alive, well, and highly relevant to Western journalistic practice; secondly, that parachute journalism has a high potential to damage communication practices in the South Pacific; and finally, that Western journalism education should embrace concepts such as talanoa in order to be better informed in policy and knowledge-based decision making processes in the South Pacific.

As discussed through examples of the communication of issues of social justice and indigenous rights, innovative communicative approaches which take into consideration oceanic knowledge, along with applicable Western theoretical paradigms, have significance and merit for future media and communication professionals and educators.

Item ID: 46695
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1448-2940
Keywords: journalism, South Pacific, tropics, Talanoa, parachute journalism, Theory of Communicative Action
Date Deposited: 13 Jan 2017 00:32
FoR Codes: 47 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 4799 Other language, communication and culture > 479999 Other language, communication and culture not elsewhere classified @ 50%
45 INDIGENOUS STUDIES > 4513 Pacific Peoples culture, language and history > 451311 Pacific Peoples literature, journalism and professional writing @ 50%
SEO Codes: 94 LAW, POLITICS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES > 9401 Community Service (excl. Work) > 940115 Pacific Peoples Development and Welfare @ 50%
95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9502 Communication > 950201 Communication Across Languages and Culture @ 50%
Downloads: Total: 3
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page