Educating For Democracy

Pillar 5: Participation of Citizens

Media description: A member of the audience asks the guest panel on ABC’s Q&A a question about how to ensure a politically literate society.

MEDIA CONTEXT
Q&A is an ABC program where members of the public may be a part of a participatory audience during weekly question and answer sessions about political issues and current affairs. Various prominent figures in Australian and global society, are invited to form the panel each week. Host Tony Jones, fuels discussion and ‘referees’ between the audience and the panelists. A range of ‘live’ Twitter comments from the viewing audience appear on screen throughout the program. Guests for Monday, 24 May 2010 included: Booker Prize winning author, Peter Carey; novelist and political philosopher John Ralston Saul; former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser; Orange Prize winning author Lionel Shriver; Professor of Indigenous Studies and co-author of First Australians Marcia Langton. An audience member, Megan Orrin, got things rolling by asking the following question: “If, as Peter Carey suggests, education is the basis for democracy, how do we ensure all citizens are educated enough to make informed decisions about politics?”

MEDIA CRITIQUE
Despite the singularly amazing incapacity of the guests, commencing with Peter Carey, to answer the question in a direct or succinct manner, if at all, the question itself is what justifies the inclusion of this particular Q&A in the series. You judge for yourself based on these few highlights, or by watching the whole episode at http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/txt/s2901978.htm whether the guests properly addressed the question. Despite those momentary lapses, in what way could a public question and answer forum such as Q&A be a demonstration of democratic rights? Does Q&A itself assist in creating a more politically aware society? Can the opinions of all (or any) panellists be depended upon or taken as fact, or are they a matter of personal opinion? Do the panellists get off topic? Does Tony Jones display any bias or favouritism toward the audience, panellists or particular issues?

ANALYSIS & REVIEW
How would you answer Megan Orrin’s question? At this very moment, how politically well informed do you feel you are? If you were old enough to vote, would you have been able to make a firm decision about who to vote for in the last federal election and make substantial arguments for your position? Are you similarly prepared for your state or territory or local government elections? How does your school curriculum i.e. class topics or extra curricula program, help prepare you to be an informed citizen?

THE AUSTRALIAN CONSTITUTION & AUSTRALIA TODAY
What provisions are there in the Australian Constitution and/or the various state constitutions for ensuring free and open access to information?

PERSONAL APPLICATION

Choose either:

1. Identify and discuss with your teachers, parents or peers civic and citizenship topics about which you feel you should be more aware.
2. What could you properly change in your school, home or community to promote an environment of political literacy? Formulate and carry out a plan to make that change.

AUSCIVICS FILM & TV SERIES LINKED TO SCHOOL CURRICULUM
Learning areas and/or outcomes for each state and territory for the questions and issues above have been identified in the following links: