Role of the media in law reform

Roles of the media in Law Reform

• Informing and raising awareness: can also generate interest in issues

• accessing levels of community support: can assist the government to assess levels of community support/

• influencing community opinion on a change in the law.

Types of media

• social media: a range of digital tools and websites used to share info in real time between large groups of people. creates interest in issues and support for law reform on a global scale.

• traditional media: newspapers, tv, radio. Influences law reform by investigating, reporting and discussing political and legal issues.

Limitations in the role of the media

• media concentration - ownership of mass media by few individuals

• the risk of spread of misinformation - online environment is not regulated in the same way as traditional, and anyone can share news

• the use of algorithms online: readers are fed types of news they have previously engaged with, limiting the scope of their knowledge.

strengths of social media

• provides a platform that generates awareness and gain community support

• allows law makers to communicate and influence the public

• allows gov and parties to gauge public opinion on a law reform issue

weaknesses of social media

• issues can be presented in a way that oversimplifies complicated issue, resulting in a lack of understanding

• may not be accurate

• opinions may be based on poor understanding

strengths of traditional media

• investigates and reports on injustices that the broader public are not aware of

• they can publish the views of the people

• they can inform views on proposed changes in the law

weaknesses of traditional media

• bias can be used to negatively impact on political decision and leave voters not fully informed

• footage can be edited or manipulated to show a certain perspective

• they can refuse to report on certain events

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relevant case:

Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins, victims in high profile sexual assault cases had their voices amplified by traditional and social media, sparking national debate about how sexual offences are handled and pushing for reforms such as changes to consent and victim support.