When I first read George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, I began to draw comparisons to what I saw in today’s society and that of the ‘fictitious’ Oceania. After the recent events surrounding Prime Minister Julia Gillard ‘indigenous riot’, I, in utter despair, realise how close to ‘newspeak’ we in fact are.
What began as a peaceful demonstration (though vocal it may have been, still peaceful never the less), turned into what is now one of the most manipulated stories in recent memory, first by the Australian Media, and now the remainder of the western world.
It seems we live in a time where journalistic integrity is only measured by the awe factor the story generates. The institution that should be fighting for the truth, is once again regurgitating leads, rather than doing any form of actual journalism
You have read/heard how windows were pounded in, spears and rocks thrown, and the physical/verbal abuse directed at Prime Minister Julia Gillard. In the below video (click on image or click here) you will see what had occurred. The security detail tripped Ms Gillard over, the police showed aggression to the protestors, and the majority of people chasing the vehicle, where in fact journalists themselves, in the attempt to get that all inspiring shot.
