Master of Arts in Social Work Studies
The School of Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work and Social Sciences
Module: Advanced Professional Practice – Dissertation
Two Worlds
Literature Review on
The Relationship between Social Work
and Mass Media
Adeline Cooke
@00346593
Two Worlds
Literature Review on The Relationship between Social
Work and Mass Media
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER ONE – INTRODUCTION
An Indonesian proverb said, "tak kenal maka tak sayang." The Dutch has the same
proverb, "onbekend maakt onbemind." The closest English translation would be, "A
stranger is a friend you haven't yet met." For readers in the English speaking world,
the Dutch and Indonesian proverb is almost incomprehensible. The closest
translation still cannot describe the true meaning in the same way. Lost in
translation. Translation difficulties are not just between languages, same difficulties
are bridging the two worlds of social work and mass media.
“Two Worlds” was a song from a Disney animation film “Tarzan”. It comically
describes two worlds that seemed too different. Still, at the end there was a way to
form a synergy in order to reach a common goal.
Using peer-reviewed journal articles as primary literature, this critical literature review
evaluates the relationship between the two worlds of social work and that of mass
media. In reviewing current available researches, I am trying to find answers or
recommendations of how to form the bridge. Whilst Tarzan’s common goal with the
gorillas was saving the forest from the greedy capitalists, here I postulate that the
common ground for social work and mass media is social justice (Stone et.al., 2008).
Problem
I start from the hypothesis that the relationship between social work and media,
especially in the UK, is problematic. Current news reports – such as the Rotherham
and Rochdale child sexual exploitation, child abuse and child deaths – show that
news headlines tend to point the finger at social workers. This hypothesis is
supported by the researches available (Aldridge, 1990; Ayre,
2001;Freeman&Valentine, 2004) also a recent newspaper article (Elvin, 2014).
These journal articles confirm my personal experience, listening to comments from
colleagues at the local authority’s Children Services, also comments from friends in
the mass media. Hence I start from the hypothesis that social workers and journalists
in the UK today – that is, 2014 – are like different ethnic groups in South Africa’s
apartheid era.
Context
During the writing of this literature review, the Rotherham child sexual exploitation
case hit the headlines (Williams, 2014). Compare to Ayre’s (2001) review on child
abuse high profile cases from 1970s to 1990s, mass media coverage today seems to
be no difference (see also Elvin, 2014). Both Aldridge (1990) and Ayre (2001) blame
negative media coverage for the culture of blame and back-covering habits within
social work practice – although we can argue which comes first the chicken or the
egg, as it has become a vicious cycle.
The climate of fear, mistrust and blame (Ayre, 2001, pp.889-891) has somehow
become a framework of thinking and taking action (Aldridge, 1990). Social workers in
the UK have a fear of speaking to the media (Elvin, 2014). In addition, they are being
gagged in the name of Data Protection by local authorities who are the majority
employers of social workers. Elvin continues that the two factors resulting in less
accurate information being passed to the media. As journalists receive less accurate
information, the published or broadcast news are also inaccurate. Adding this to the
alienation of social workers from the mass media, we have a vicious cycle of
separation and prejudice between the two worlds.
In a wider scope, politics in the UK is leaning towards neo-liberalism ideology
(Bailey, 2013; Hall, et.al, 2013), continuing the New Right attacks on welfare system
(Mendes, 2000 & 2008; Stevenson, 1999). Neo-liberalism is “the rule of the market,
the cut of public expenditure for social services, deregulation, privatisation, and the
elimination of the concept of 'public good' or 'community'” ((Martinez and
Garcia,1997). The UK's coalition government of 2014 – as the New Right in the
1980s and 1990s – attacks the very principle of the welfare system. Social work as
the flagship of welfare state becomes the target, the receiving end of the attack
(Mendes, 2000 & 2008). In this neo-liberal setting resources are being privatised and
big corporations took control of both economy and politics (Monbiot, 2000; Martinez
& Garcia, 1997).
As the fourth estate or the fourth pillar of democracy, the mass media is expected to
represent society as a forum for public discussion, watchdog, and guardian of the
public interest (Coronel, 2003; Stevenson, 1999). However “the news media are in
crisis” and budget cuts within the mass media are affecting the quality of the news
(Fenton, 2011). At the same time, big corporations own most newspapers, radio
stations, television and film production companies (Swisher, 2003; Dwyer, 2014).
The Media Reform Coalition (2014) found that, “In the UK, 70% of the national
market is controlled by only three companies – News UK, Daily Mail and General
Trust, and Trinity Mirror – with Rupert Murdoch’s News UK fully holding a third of the
entire market share”. The implication is that the plurality of media content is
questionable.
Most mass media are representing their business interest (Ayre, 2001; Aldridge,
1990). “By catching visual or aural attention, the media can gain audience revenue.
Attention means consumption, and audience attention means selling points to
advertisers,” explained McQuail (1994, pp.51-52). So if part of the environment we
live in contain the mass media that is not representing society, does social work
represent society?
The two worlds of social work and media can be described by the graphic below
where the circle of concern (Covey, 1999, pp.81-85) of the social workers is green
and the media’s circle of concern is pink.
Key research questions
Following are key research questions which frame the aims of this literature review:
1. Critical evaluation of the relationship between social work and the mass media.
1a. Critical evaluation of mass media portrayal of social work.
1b. Critical evaluation of social workers' perception of the portrayal of the social work
profession in the mass media.
2a. Critical analysis of the factors that have the potential to contribute to mutual
understanding of function, culture, and meaning within the fields of social work and
mass media.
2b. Critical inquiry into the extent to which the function and production of social work
and the mass media could work together for mutual benefits, enhancement of their
goals and the greater good.
Illustration 1: Circles of Concerns
Two Worlds
Literature Review on The Relationship between Social
Work and Mass Media
CHAPTER TWO: METHODOLOGY
CHAPTER TWO – METHODOLOGY
This literature review is my effort to dig available researches in the UK and
internationally, on the relationship between social work and the mass media. The
idea came from a concern of the segregation of the two worlds and of what seemed
like a negative portrayal of social work in the mass media. During the writing of this
article, BBC Breakfast News on 27 August 2014 clearly blamed social workers
involved in child protection in Rotherham. There was also the criminalisation of Asha
King’s parents for taking him out of hospital to get a better treatment in another
country.
The choice of the subject was also driven by my past experience as a journalist.
Here I chose the term “mass media” to specify mediums of mass communication that
are channels which “include large-scale technologically based distribution devices
and systems” (McQuail & Windahl, 1993, p.6). In order not to confuse mass media
and other modern media such as social network media, blogs, photo and video
sharing in today’s information society (Castells, 2001a & 2001b; Stevenson, 1999), I
use McQuail and Windahl’s characteristics of mass communications as “public and
open, but with limited access to ‘sending’ facilities” (1993, p.6). When appropriate, I
would use the term news media as the mediums of mass communication with news
as the content, and journalist to refer to professionals from the news media (Rosen,
1999).
Using Aveyard’s definition, this literature review is a “comprehensive study and
interpretation of the literature that relates to” (2010, p.5) social work relationship with
mass media. I identified research questions as listed in the Introduction, and then
seek to answer these questions by searching for and analysing relevant literature
using a systematic approach in an effort to the development of new insights
(Aveyard, 2010, p.6).
I started with University of Salford’s SOLAR library search engine and chose the
databases search. On the subject, I chose “social sciences” instead of “health +
social care”. This is because of the interdisciplinary nature of this research –
combining social work, communication, and media studies. Among the 15
databases that came up, I used EBSCO and Applied Social Sciences Index &
Abstracts (ASSIA).
The decision to choose the subject of social work and mass media was a result of
previous searches for “participatory video” and “social work” with zero result on both
ASSIA and EBSCO. Even after the search term was broadened to “participatory
video” only, too few results were found, and with less connection to social work. My
first intention was to do a literature review on participatory video documentary,
influenced by Mahama (2004).
Considering the relevance of this research to the practical context of statutory social
work in the UK’s local authority setting, I broadened the search to “social work” and
“mass media”. Here I will critically evaluate the relationship between social work and
the mass media (key question 1a and 1b) and then critically analyse factors that can
contribute to mutual understanding and synergy of the two fields (key question 2a
and 2b).
After deciding on the subject of the relationship between social work and mass
media, I conducted searches using EBSCO and ASSIA. The search terms, limiters,
and results were described in Appendix One.
From a total of 23 journal articles, I chose 16 most relevant articles. The next
process was deciding the logic and presentation of the literature review. After
reading and categorising the 16 articles, I decided to present them thematically
instead of chronologically. This means, I “grouped together all similar theme and saw
patterns developing” (Aveyard, 2010, p.130). I found three themes: first, how the
mass media portray social work (key question 1a); second, how social work
academics and professionals perceive the portrayal of their profession in the mass
media (key question 1b); third, how the two professions could form a synergy for the
greater good (key question 2a and 2b).
The themes form the logic of this review, although there are some articles that
discuss more than one key question. For example Aldridge (1990) blamed the “poor
news media treatment to the profession” for the “fear of media scandal that
influences practice and legislation”. This means that Aldridge’s article discussed both
key question 1a (media portrayal) and 1b (social workers’ perception of the media
portrayal). The same article (Aldridge, 1990) also discussed “taming the media:
advice from the social work press” which touches key question 2a.
I compared and summarised the 16 peer-reviewed journal articles thematically using
Aveyard’s table (2010, pp.129) in Appendix Three. To critically appraise the articles,
I mainly use Guba and Lincoln's (2005, pp.207-208) authenticity criteria. This is
because I agree with Guba and Lincoln in using criteria of balance and fairness,
educative or raising level of awareness, and encourage change and empowered
people to act. I also use Seale (1999, pp.189-192) criteria in evaluating qualitative
research.
Two Worlds
Literature Review on The Relationship between Social
Work and Mass Media
CHAPTER TRHEE:
CRITICAL LITERATURE REVIEW
CHAPTER THREE
CRITICAL LITERATURE REVIEW
In this chapter I will review the 16 articles thematically based on my key questions. I
will evaluate how they answer my key questions. I will also critically appraise them
using Guba and Lincoln's (2005) authenticity criteria and Seale's (1999) evaluation
criteria. The full summary of information (Aveyard, 2010, p0.128-129) and appraisal
can be found in Appendix Three.
Key Question 1a – Critical evaluation of the mass media portrayal social work
Freeman and Valentine (2004) investigate how Hollywood movies from 1938 to 1998
portrayed social work subject and profession. Using content analysis, they find that
social worker characters in films are mostly “women, white, middle-class,
heterosexual; work in child welfare, incompetent and have a tendency to engage in
sexual relationships with clients, mostly work with people living in poverty, and
maintain the societal status quo” (p.159). Using Hooks' (1994) study of the
representation of gender and race in popular culture, Freeman and Valentine argue
that images of social work in movies are motivated by efforts to maintain status quo
of the dominant society (p.160).
The use of content analysis and Hooks' representation in popular culture show that
this study is balanced, and the fairness criteria (Guba and Lincoln, 2005) are met. In
their way of raising level of awareness, this research fulfils the criteria of educative
authenticity. However as they do not include action and involvement of the
researchers in social action (Guba and Lincoln, 2005, p.207), the criteria of catalytic
and tactical authenticity are not met. This research uses appropriate methods –
content analysis – to the nature of the questions (Seale, 1999). There is clear
account of the criteria used for the selection of the movies, and clear account of the
data collection and analysis process (Seale, 1999).
In a similar theme, Valentine and Freeman (2002) explore images of children social
workers as portrayed in movies from 1938 to 1999. They find that “child welfare
workers are mostly women, white, performing clinical activities, work with people in
poverty, maintain status quo, make no effort to change oppressive systems, blame
the system, and have the attitude of 'my hands are tied' (p.467). Using Guba and
Lincoln's (2005) authenticity criteria, this research shows fairness, educative but not
ontological authenticity, and have no catalytic or tactical authenticity.
Reid and Misener (2001) investigate and compare images of social work in
newspapers in the USA and the UK. They found that “social work has a serious
image problem in the UK press” (p.198). UK media shows a more negative image of
social work than the USA. Reid and Misener hypothesise that the large size of the
USA means “the death of an abused child in Indianapolis is not likely to become
national news” (p.199). They also suggest that Americans are more aware about the
importance of public relation and public image (p.199). Their method is qualitative
content analysis by choosing random samples from 60 major newspapers from
January 1995 to June 1999. This met Seale’s criteria of using good methodology
(1999, pp.189-192). Their analysis is systematic, with adequate discussion, coherent
and plausible findings. The findings (p.196) show that in the USA, overall image of
social work was 58% positive and 13% negative while in the UK was only 13%
positive and 30% negative. Using authenticity criteria (Guba&Lincoln, 2005, p.207),
this research was fair, has ontological, educational, and catalytic authenticity, but not
tactical authenticity. This is because it could be categorised as encourage change in
their recommendation to improve social work image, but does not include prompt or
specific forms of action.
Exploring media coverage was also Ayre's (2001) theme. Although not as systematic
as Reid and Misener in the sample of mass media he analysed. Ayre specifically
looks into child protection issues in 1970s to 1990s and how media coverage
contribute to the climate of fear, blame and mistrust within the field of child
protection. Ayre discusses how, “A series of celebrated child abuse scandals in
England and Wales resulted in the repeated vilification in the mass media of those
child welfare agencies deemed culpable for the deaths of the children” (p.887). Ayre
evaluates the mass media portrayal of social work (key question 1a) from the
standpoint of a social work academic, and how this impacted on social work climate
and the development of services in England and Wales.
In authenticity criteria, Ayre's academic opinion (2001) does not represent a range of
different realities and lack of balance, for he does not include any reference from
media studies. It was clear that “the space and place that he inhabits produces him”
(Probyn, 2003). Ayre’s standpoint (Hill-Collins 1990; Harding, 1991; Haraway, 1988)
was on the ground of social work and social science. In ontological and educative
authenticity, Ayre raises the level of awareness within the social work field. As an
academic opinion, Ayre’s article has no catalytic or tactical authenticity.
Mendes (2000) explores the role of the mass media in influencing child protection
policies in Victoria, Australia. Using the case studies of two daily newspapers – The
Age and Herald Sun – Mendes shows the impact of newspapers ownership and
political allegiance to their coverage style, that have both positive and negative
consequences to child protection policies. In answering key question 1a of how the
mass media portray social work, Mendes discusses the different tones between The
Age that is owned by Fairfax Press, and Herald Sun that is owned by Rupert
Murdoch, sympathetic to conservative Liberal Party. Mendes shows how global
capitalism, represented by Rupert Murdoch’s media group, attacks the welfare
system. As a result, the flagship or symbol of the welfare state, which are social
workers, stand on the receiving end of their salvo.
Mendes (2000) shows more balance than Ayre (2001) as Mendes compares two
opposing political views and newspapers ownerships (fairness, Guba & Lincold,
2005). In the methods Mendes’ research met criteria for the selection of the two
samples (Seale, 1999); however the process of data collection and analysis was not
as clear as Reid & Misener (2001) or Freeman & Valentine (2004).
In his latter article, Mendes (2008, p.31) theorises that negative labels of social
workers by the mass media reflect the position of the New Right. He explores the
agenda-setting role of the media, and f finds that the mass media has the power to
shape short-term public opinion (p.27). The positive impact is that “media campaigns
helped produce more equitable and effective child protection policies and practices”
(p,28). On the other hand, it can be sensationalist, simplistic, gender blind, and
searching for scapegoats. Mendes has similar opinion with Jones (2002, p.48), in
that the New Right’s hostility to the modern welfare state and the professionals
delivering its services reflects the neo-liberalism re-engineering of welfare system.
Unlike Mendes' earlier article (2000), his latter research (2008) does not represent a
balanced of different viewpoints. As Mendes' academic opinion shows only mass
media group that represent the New Right, Guba and Lincoln's (2005) criteria of
fairness cannot be met. However there is an element of catalytic authenticity in his
way of recommending more voice for social workers to explain their position
(Mendes, 2000, p.32).
Aldridge (1990) laments that social workers in the UK have negative images in the
news media and that the “fear of media scandal is widely believed to influence daily
practice and the framing of legislative” (p.162). Aldridge blames the negative media
coverage for social work’s culture of ‘back-covering’. In the form of academic
opinion, Aldridge theorises about the news media and explores the determining
factors of poor media coverage in an attempt to understand how the mass media
work and think. Aldridge states that the mass media are driven by costs and profits;
that the neo-liberal model means media messages are a reflection of audience
demands; and that their messages are outcomes of the wider social and economic
forces (p.615).
Similar to Ayre (2001), in balance and fairness criteria, Aldridge (1990) expresses
her opinion one-sidedly. From the standpoint (Hill-Collins 1990; Harding, 1991;
Haraway, 1988) of a social work academic, Aldridge does not represent a range of
different realities or allow people to see other viewpoints. Aldridge does not
encourage change and nor does she empower readers to act (Guba & Lincoln,
2005).
Gibelman (2004) reviews a number of television series that featured social workers,
and discusses whether they reflect the public awareness of social worker roles or
provide more accurate portrayals of social workers. Her findings are no different than
that of Freeman and Valentine (2004) in ways that “social workers continue to be
portrayed as uneducated, bumbling, laughable” (p.332). Her critical evaluation of the
mass media portrayal social work (key question 1a) is again, from the standpoint of a
social work academic. Yet, she uses references from different backgrounds such as
public relations and media studies. This makes her research fair and balance (Guba
& Lincoln, 2005). Her article raises level of awareness, which makes it ontologically
and educationally authentic. Gibelman's recommendations are both catalytic and
tactical authenticity.
Key Question 1b – Critical evaluation of social workers perception of the mass
media portrayal of social work profession.
As mentioned in Methodology, among the 16 peer-reviewed articles, there are those
who cover both key questions 1a and 1b. Gibelman (2004) is among this category.
Being an academic in Social Welfare, she expresses social worker’s opinion and
perception of mass media portrayal of the profession. Gibelman (p.332) states,
“Television conveys an anti-professional, disrespectful image of social workers. In
reality, the characters represent less than one percent of those classified by the US
Department of Labor as social workers.”
Zugazaga, et.al (2006) describe social workers' perception of the mass media
portrayal of their profession. They use quantitative survey, sending questionnaire to
655 random members of the National Association of Social Workers in Florida
branch, asking participants to rate portrayal of social workers as “caring versus
uncaring, trained and untrained, and generally positive and negative” (p.629). The
result shows that most participants perceived the profession is being depicted
negatively in both news and entertainment media.
In ways similar to Gibelman (2004), Zugazaga, et.al (2006) show balance and
fairness, ontological and educative authenticity. Their recommendations are
encouraging change and empowering readers to act.
Aldridge's effort to “theorise the media” (1990, p.611) came from the standpoint of an
academic in social work faculty. Hence her article can also be seen to be discussing
key question 1b, which is social workers perception of the mass media portrayal of
social work profession.
Key Question 2a – Critical analysis of the factors that have the potential to
contribute to mutual understanding of function, culture, and meaning within
the two fields
In answer to key question 2a, Zugaga et.al (2006, p.634) recommend social workers
to “understand the profession of journalism and to develop appreciation for deadline
pressures and other news media constraints” (p.634).
As if following up their recommendation, Weiss-Gal and Peled’s (2009) participatory
action research uses a programme of media education for social workers to evaluate
ways to improve of social workers’ ability in using the mass media as a method of
policy practice. Within five months, 26 participants learned to identify social problems
or issues, and to express their opinions in the form of opinion-editorial articles in
daily newspapers and broadcast talk shows. The result was 37 published pieces in
daily newspapers, online news sites, social work periodicals, radio and TV
programmes. The feedback shows that the participants feel that they have enhanced
ability to publish, increased desire and ability to use the media in professional work,
increased sense of expertise as social workers, and feel that the training was useful
to promote social issues (pp.375-378).
This participatory action research shows all criteria of authenticity from fairness,
ontological and educative authenticity, as well as catalytic and tactical. Their action
research is feasible for duplication in the future. In Seale's (1999) criteria: their
methods are appropriate to the nature of the key questions, with clear criteria for
participants selection. Their findings address the research questions and are
important for future application.
Boehm’s (2004) participatory action research includes third year social work students
to learn “community practice through production of television reports”. Boehm shows
that “the distance between media and social work can be bridged through production
of TV reports” (p.432). Boehm identifies challenges to be considered when planning
and operating such courses which are mobilising resources, developing teams with
social orientation, technological training, integrating community practice and coping
with ethical issues. Boehm’s challenge could be a start of collaborations between
social work and mass media practitioners. This fulfils all authenticity criteria of Guba
and Lincoln (2005). Boehm's methods are appropriate to key questions, with clear
criteria for the selection of participants (Seale, 1999 p.189-192).
With less ‘hands-on’ approach, Brawley (1997) explores incorporating media
advocacy and research skills into social work curricula. Brawley theorises that
teaching social work students and practitioners about communication research can
provide skills to influence the development of social policies and services (p.445).
Brawley recommends (p.455): “Social work faculties need to incorporate basic
content on the use of the media into the curriculum. Students should learn that they
can play important role in educating the public, and should be introduced to
possibilities to mass media practice.” Brawley's academic opinion shows all
authenticity criteria except tactical authenticity because it has no practical
recommendation for action.
Freeman and Valentine (2004) also address key question 2a by highlighting the
need to “enhance our public image by presenting ourselves in ways that accurately
reflect the wide variety of roles that all social workers perform and the diversity of the
social workers” (p.161). They also suggest that “social workers need greater clarity
among themselves about exactly who we are, what we do, and why and how we do
it” (p.161).
As factors that have the potential to contribute to mutual understanding between the
two fields, Reid and Misener (2001, p.200) theorise that “criticism might be deserved,
but an understanding by journalists of the complexities and uncertainties might result
in better balanced reporting”. They further recommend, “Improving social work image
to maximise the profession’s effectiveness.”
To increase understanding of the function, culture and meaning within the mass
media world, Gibelman (2004, p.333) recommends the inclusion of media skills in
social work schools; or learning modules and courses on public and media relations
for social workers (see also Weiss-Gal & Peled, 2009); or for “infusing modules
about popular media and means to access it” (see also Boehm, 2004; Brawley,
1997; Zugaga et.al, 2006). In order to make themselves understood, Gibelman
recommend for social workers to develop networking skills to influence mass media
professional such as script writers and television producers.
Zugaga et.al.(2006, pp.633-634) recommend social workers to have a more
proactive media strategy to ensure profession-enhancing content, and to be client
and media aware. Similar to Gibelman (2004), Boehm (2004), Brawley (1997), they
also suggest to either developing a social work and media course, or infusing social
work curricula with media studies. Zugaga et.al. state, “social work educators need
to facilitate the development of skills such as clear communication in interviews with
journalists, drafting press release, and press conference without jargon” (p.634).
Key Question 2b – Critical inquiry into the extent to which the function and
production of social work and the mass media could work together for mutual
benefits, enhancement of their goals and the greater goods
Gibelman (2004, p.333) recommends social workers to work together with the mass
media, for example as an expert consultants for television series. Gibelman also
recommends collaborative continuing education programmes between schools of
social work, journalism and public relation.
The latter is similar to Stone et.al. (2008) who propose join education of social work
and journalism students, resulting in a single issue magazine in social justice. They
aim to provide “an instructional model promoting interdisciplinary collaboration for
postgraduate students in social work and journalism” (p.163). Their action research
resulting in an active collaboration in the creation of a single issue magazine focused
on social welfare issues. They argue that, “both professions are bound by
professional ethics that ultimately strive for greater social justice” (p.164), which is
one answer to key question 2b. Their
action research has all authenticity criteria (Guba & Lincoln, 2005). However, the
limitation was in their data collection, record keeping and in the discussion of themes
(Seale, 1999).
In the theme of synergy between social work and mass media professional, Reid and
Misener (2001, p.200) give examples such as “by writing stories or columns for local
newspapers, appearing as experts in the press and on talk shows, preparing and
distributing news releases and publicising advocacy efforts.” This recommendation
would work well if social workers learned the skills (see Weiss-Gal and Peled, 2009).
While not explicitly suggesting collaboration between social work and mass media
professionals, Garrett (2001) recommends the use of mass media product such as
popular movies to be used in social work education as a tool to raise social work
issues. In his research, Garrett explores the use of 1990s popular movie Home
Alone as “a lens to view key themes in children and families social work such as
criminalisation of harm to children, instability of 'good enough parenting' construct,
dominant conceptualisation of motherhood, disappearance of fathers, possibilities
and tensions in multi-disciplinary work, refocussing of services, ideological
categories centred on service users who are in poverty, centrality of networks and
ecological approach, and opportunities to create 'issues' our of 'cases'” (p.644).
Garrett’s research can be a starting point for a synergy of the two fields. In a more
general subject of social justice, films such as The Burning Season: the Chico
Mendes Story (1994) has been used in developing countries for raising awareness
among poor and marginalised communities (I was involved in projects with the urban
poor with Jakarta Social Institutes, 2001-2004). Garrett's article meets most Guba
and Lincoln's (2005) authenticity criteria except for its ontological and tactical
authenticity.
Holder and Treno (1997) try the strategic use of news media to advance social and
public policy initiative. Their “Community Trials Project” includes training media
advocacy to local communities. This approach is not a novelty in international social
justice field (Jansen et.al., 2013; Mahama, 2004; Lunch&Lunch, 2006; Lunch, 2013)
– whether or not the professionals are qualified social worker. Holder and Treno find
that, “training in media advocacy can increase coverage of news generated by local
communities, and this can focus public attention and affect audience” (p.189). This
action research meets most of Guba and Lincoln's (2005) authenticity criteria except
ontological and tactical. Their methods are appropriate to the nature of the key
question, and the findings are important both theoretically and practically (Seale,
1999). Holder and Treno’s idea can be adapted for communities around the world.
The main requirement is that the social workers who are going to implement the idea
should have media skills. This takes us back to previous recommendations (Brawley,
1997; Stone et.al., 2008; Weiss-Gal & Peled, 2009; Boehm, 2004) and potential
collaboration between the two professions.
Nolan-Abrahamian (2009) explores the use of photography in empowering youth and
affecting public policy. Her case studies show how participants who were college
students learned to use their photography to raise public awareness and lobbying
the authorities of local issues. Participants, “learned that even the smallest camera
can give you power to benefits society” (p.7). This has similarity to Mahama (2004)
where participatory documentary production was used by a marginalised community
to voice their narratives using the mass communication medium of film. In answer to
key question 2b, Nolan-Abrahamian’s research provides an opportunity for
collaboration between social workers and photographers to work with youth in the
local communities. Their case studies are fair, educative, and catalytic (Guba &
Lincoln, 2005), although lack of ontological and tactical authenticity.
Two Worlds
Literature Review on The Relationship between Social
Work and Mass Media
CHAPTER FOUR:
IMPLICATION FOR SOCIAL WORK
&
RECOMMENDATION
CHAPTER FOUR
IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL WORK AND RECOMMENDATION
Implications for social work
Based on the 16 articles reviewed in Chapter Three, social work professionals and
academics seem to have the opinion that mass media portrayals of their profession
do not do justice to the complexities and tensions of the profession (Freeman and
Valentine, 2004; Valentine and Freeman, 2002; Gibelman, 2004; Ayre, 2001; Aldrige,
1990). There are also indications that media portrayals of social work are influenced
by ownership and political allegiance (Mendes, 2000 & 2008).
We need to ask further questions. Does the mass media represent opinions and
feelings of the society in general? Is the content of the mass media today a mirror
and representation of today's society? If it is, then social work has a serious image
problem. However, could what Ayre (2001) and Aldridge (1990) perceive as negative
portrayals of social work in the mass media be a projective identification (Steiner,
1993) by “emotionally injured practitioners” (Aldridge, 1990, p.623)? Could this be a
defence mechanism (Gleitman, 1991, p.434) from social work's crisis of identity and
lack of confidence?
Maybe first of all social workers need to “work toward greater clarity among
ourselves about who we are, what we do, why and how we do it” (Freeman and
Valentine, 2004, p.161). As self-image becomes clearer and confidence gained,
social workers then can develop strategies to improve their image in the press to
maximise the profession's effectiveness (Reid and Misener, 2001, p.200). However
before launching public relation campaign and strategies, social work academic and
professionals need to understand the culture, meanings and functions of the mass
media (key question 2a). Social workers need to “understand how discourses are
created and what makes one discourse more influential than another” (Ayre, 2001,
p.899).
While social workers are trying to understand the mass media, many media scholars
(Stevenson, 1999; McQuail, 1994; Rosen, 1999; Tumenggung, 2005) are also asking
questions about their profession: what is the relationship between the mass media
and the public? Rosen (1999) questions in particular the function and ethics of
journalists. In my dissertation for a Bachelor Degree in philosophy (Tumenggung,
2005) I questioned the relationship between the mass media and the public sphere
in nation-states that are gradually being taken over by global capitalists, in search for
a hope that the mass media can still function as a pillar of democracy.
Another viewpoint shows that the mass media represent certain political views, and
are influenced by ownership (Mendes, 2000 & 2008; Rosen, 1999; Swisher, 2003).
Aldridge (1990, p.623) refers to tabloids such as The Sun and The Daily Mail instead
of newspapers in general. Further research might show a pattern of newspapers
ownership and its influence in the editorial content. I started this discourse in my
article about the the News Corporation and its hacking scandal (Tumenggung-
Cooke, 2011). Media academics (Rosen, 1999; Stevenson 1999 & 2002) have
similar concerns about shareholders' involvement in editorials as this might
compromise journalism ethics such as “principles of media freedom” (British NUJ)
and “act independently” (American Society of Professional Journalists).
Reading literatures in both social work and media studies, we could see that both
worlds share similar concerns on the problems of ethics (Rosen, 1999; Tumenggung,
2005; Tumenggung-Cooke, 2011) social justice (Jansen et.al., 2013; Stone et.al.,
2008), and global capitalism take-over of the nation-states (Monbiot, 2000). The list
of shared concerns for both worlds could grow longer. The ideology of neo-liberalism
is affecting both worlds in the form of budget cuts and 'austerity', resulting in under-
staffed and over-worked institutions (Fenton, 2011; Jones, 2002; Bailey, 2013; Hall
et.al., 2013). If both social workers and mass media professionals expand their circle
of concerns (Covey, 1999, pp.81-85) we might find that both fields have same
concerns and goals for greater goods (Jansen et al., 2013; Stone et.al, 2008). The
collaboration that I recommend next will become a synergy that expand the circle of
influence (Covey, 1999, pp.81-85) for both social work and mass media
professionals. The graphic below shows how expanded circle of concern from the
two worlds have a big chunk of common ground. The original circles of concerns as
shown in graphic one in Introduction are now expanded with the pink and green dots.
Recommendation
Within the 16 journals reviewed here, there is no shortage of recommendations.
There are recommendations on media courses or modules for social work students
such as media advocacy (Brawley, 1997), television report production (Boehm,
2004), publishing opinion-editorial (Weiss-Gal & Peled, 2009), and even using
movies to address social work issues (Garrett, 2001). In the form of collaboration,
social work and mass media professionals could work together in the form of joint
conducting projects such as youth photography project (Nolan-Abrahamian, 2009),
and media advocacy training for local community (Holder & Treno, 1997).
Before going into collaboration between social workers and mass media
professionals, I agree with Brawley (1997), Boehm (2004), Weiss-Gal&Peled (2009)
and Gibelman (2004) that it is important for social work curricula to have at least one
module of communication and mass media. Obholzer (1995) gives one of the many
reasons why social work students need to learn the media awareness and mass
communication skills, which is “the capacity to be detached and to ‘see’ things from
Illustration 2: Expanded Circles of Concerns
an outside perspective” (p.178). In Appendix Four, I draft a “Communication and
Mass Media” module for social work.
As I described in Methodology, there are not many researches on the relationship
between social work and the mass media. Even less could be found, peer-reviewed
journal articles on collaborations between social work and the mass media.
Therefore, there is the need for further research and more importantly, practical
collaborations that benefit service users, for the greater good of social justice (Stone
et.al., 2008; Holder and Treno, 1997; Nolan-Abrahamian, 2009), and for
conscietization (Freire, 1993). We need to “develop the tools for using human
difference as a springboard for creative change” (Lorde, 1980, p.115).
I also recommend a participatory video documentary project with groups of
marginalised service users – for examples refugees and asylum seekers – and then
collect data and feedback towards the development and duplication of similar
projects. This type of participatory video documentary will involve mass media
practitioners as trainers and social work professionals as facilitators, with the end
product being broadcast on television or shown in cinemas and international human
rights film festivals. Similar projects – although not developed into a peer-reviewed
research journals – have been done by Lunch and Lunch (2006; also Lunch, 2013)
and Mahama (2004). Using a different form of mass media, Guhathakurta, M. (2013)
did a theatre production and participatory action research with communities in
Bangladesh. Chowns (2013) used video with children who were facing life-
threatening Illness of their parents. However the difference with Chowns' research is
that the end product was not distributed to the public – hence it was not using the
mass media.
What we need to bear in mind is the common ground of human rights (Healy, 2008)
and empowerment, as the American Society of Professional Journalists' code of
ethics: “give voice to the voiceless”. Amid the neo-liberalism atmosphere, public
journalism is a calling for media professionals who are concerned about “freedom of
information, open flow of ideas, honesty and candor in public business, and people's
right to know” (Rosen, 1999, p.299). Not so much different than social workers, mass
media professionals are also doing a public service in being the fourth estate, the
fourth pillar of democracy. Just like the NHS and the statutory social work institution
should never be privaised (Monbiot, 2000), the BBC as a public service broadcasting
needs “to maintain notions of a national public against more commercial definition”
(Stevenson, 1999, p.78).
Collaboration and synergy of the worlds do not only belong to a Disney cartoon. If we
both:
Put your faith in what you most believe in
Two worlds, one family….
Raise your head up, lift high the load
Take strength from those that need you…
Somewhere, something is calling for you
Two worlds, one family
Trust your heart, let fate decide
To guide these lives we see
(Phil Collins)
Two Worlds
Literature Review on The Relationship between Social
Work and Mass Media
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION
CHAPTER FIVE – CONCLUSION
Portrayals of social work in the mass media seem to be rather problematic. In the
entertainment media (Freeman&Valentine, 2004; Valentine&Freeman, 2002;
Gibelman, 2004) social worker characters are portrayed as incompetent and make
no effort to change social injustice. Newspapers in the UK tend to portray social work
as more negative than newspapers in the USA (Reid and Misener, 2001). The way
the news media portrays social work and welfare system in general, are influenced
by their ownerships and political allegiances (Mendes, 2000 & 2008). News
coverage of social work in 1970s to 1990s tends to focus on the failure in child
protection (Ayre, 2001), and the fear of media scandal became the drive behind
regulations and practices (Ayre, 2001; Aldrige, 1990). However, discussions about
portrayals of social work in the mass media are mainly by academics in social work,
social sciences or sociology. There was no peer-reviewed article coming from media
scholars or academics in media studies. Not surprisingly, social workers perceive
their profession to be portrayed negatively and feel that the mass media does not do
justice to the complexity of the job (Gibelman, 2004; Zugazaga et.al., 2006; also
Aldridge, 1990; Ayre, 2001; Freeman&Valentine, 2004; Valentine&Freeman, 2002;
Reid&Misener, 2001).
In search for factors that have the potentials for mutual understanding within the two
fields, Gibelman (2004) and Zugaga et.al.(2006) suggest incorporating media
awareness and skills in social work curricula. The format could be media course or a
module for social work students such as media advocacy (Brawley, 1997), television
report production (Boehm, 2004), publishing opinion (Weiss-Gal& Peled, 2009), and
even using movies to discuss social work issues (Garrett, 2001).
Taking the understanding to the next level, social work and mass media
professionals could (and should) work together for mutual benefits and for the
greater good. One recommended form of collaboration is a joint course for social
work and journalism (Stone et.al., 2008). Other opportunities are collaborations in
working with service users, such as photography projects (Nolan-Abrahamian,
2009), and trainings in media advocacy (Holder&Treno, 1997).
Following the literature review, I see the need for future interdisciplinary research in
social work and media studies. As for media awareness for social workers, I draft a
module “Communication and Mass Media” for social work students in Appendix
Four.
REFERENCE
Primary peer reviewed journal articles:
Aldridge, M. (1990). Social work and the news media: a hopeless case?. British
Journal of Social Work ,20, Dec, pp. 611-625. Retrieved 22 August 2014
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/57619228/1A88EC074E754799PQ/3?acc
ountid=8058
Ayre, P. (2001) Child protection and the media: lessons from the last three decades.
British Journal of Social Work, 31.6, Dec, pp.887-901. Retrieved 22 August 2014
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/57761060/1A88EC074E754799PQ/15?ac
countid=8058
Boehm, A. (2004). Integrating media and community practice: a case of television
report production. Social Work Education, Aug, Vol. 23 Issue 4, pp. 417-434.
Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib,cookie,ip,url,uid
&db=aph&AN=13929236&custid=s2888710
Brawley, E A. (1997). Teaching social work students to use advocacy skills through
the mass media. Journal of Social Work Education , 33.3, Oct, pp. 445-460.
Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/57380098/1A88EC074E754799PQ/1?acc
ountid=8058
Freeman, M. & Valentine, D. (2004). Through the Eyes of Hollywood: Images of
Social Workers in Film. Social Work. Apr, Vol. 49 Issue 2, pp.151-161. Washington
DC: NASW Press. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib,cookie,ip,url,uid
&db=aph&AN=12860422&custid=s2888710
Garrett, P M. (2001). Interrogating 'home alone': the critical deconstruction of media
representations in social work education. Social Work Education 20.6, Dec, pp.643-
658. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/57509294/1A88EC074E754799PQ/2?acc
ountid=8058
Gibelman, M. (2004). Television and the Public Image of Social Workers: Portrayal
or Betrayal?. Social Work, Apr, Vol. 49 Issue 2, p331-334. Washington DC: NASW
Press. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib,cookie,ip,url,uid
&db=aph&AN=12860603&custid=s2888710
Holder, H.D. & Treno, A.J. (1997). Media advocacy in community prevention: news
as a means to advance policy change. Addiction, June Supplement, Vol. 92, pp.189-
199. Retrieved 22 August 2014
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib,cookie,ip,url,uid
&db=aph&AN=9708252512&custid=s2888710
Mendes, p. (2000). Social Conservatism vs Social Justice: The Portrayal of Child
Abuse in the Press in Victoria, Australia. Child Abuse Review, Jan/Feb, Vol. 9 Issue
1, p49-61. Milton, Queensland: John Wiley & Sons Australia Ltd.
Mendes, P. (2008). Blaming the messenger: the media, social workers and child
abuse. Australian Social Work, 54.2, Jun, pp.27-36. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/57659679/1A88EC074E754799PQ/9?acc
ountid=8058
Nolan-Abrahamian, E. (2009). Photography in the Field: Empowering Youth and
Affecting Public Policy. Youth Media Reporter, 2009, Vol. 3, pp.7-10. Retrieved 22
August 2014.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib,cookie,ip,url,uid
&db=aph&AN=49573330&custid=s2888710
Reid, W.J & Misener, E. (2001). Social work in the press: a cross-national study.
International Journal of Social Welfare, July, Vol. 10 Issue 3, pp.194-201. Retrieved
22 August 2014.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib,cookie,ip,url,uid
&db=aph&AN=4859571&custid=s2888710
Stone, S., Ekman, E., English, D., Fujimori, S. (2008). Collaboration among social
work and journalist students and faculty: an instructional model. Journal of Social
Work Education, Winter, Vol.44 Issue 1, pp.163-172. Retrieved 22 August 2014
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib,cookie,ip,url,uid
&db=aph&AN=33871777&custid=s2888710
Valentine, D.P & Freeman, M. (2002). Film Portrayals of Social Workers Doing Child
Welfare Work. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal 19.6, Dec, pp. 455-471.
Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/57127015/1A88EC074E754799PQ/11?ac
countid=8058
Weiss-Gal,I. & Peled,E. (2009). Publishing Voice: Training Social Workers in Policy
Practice. The British Journal of Social Work 39.2, Mar, pp.368-382. Retrieved 22
August 2014.
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/1520311232/1A88EC074E754799PQ/13?
accountid=8058
Zugazaga, C.B., Surette, R.B., Mendez, M., Otto, C.W. (2006) Social Worker
Perceptions of the Portrayal of the Profession in the News and Entertainment Media:
An Exploratory Study. Journal of Social Work Education, 42.3, Oct, pp.621-536.
Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/57156124/1A88EC074E754799PQ/8?acc
ountid=8058
Secondary reference
Aveyard, H. (2010). Doing a literature review in health and social care. Maidenhead:
McGraw-Hill/Open University Press
Bailey, D. (2013). David Cameron’s speech this week revealed the neoliberal
undercurrents of state austerity. In LSE British Politics and Policy, LSE Blog.
Retrieved 15 September 2014. http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/david-
cameron-and-the-neoliberal-undercurrents-of-state-austerity/
Castells, M. (2001a). The Rise of The Network Society. Oxford: Blackwell
Castells, Manuel (2001b). The Power of Identity. Oxford: Blackwell
Castells, M. (2001b). Information Technology and Global Capitalism. In Hutton, W. &
Giddens, A. On The Edge: Living with Global Capitalism. London: Vintage
Chowns, G. (2013). ‘No – You Don’t Know How We Feel!’: Collaborative Inquiry
Using Video with Children Facing the Life-threatening Illness of a Parent. In Reason,
P. & Bradbury, H. The Sage Handbook of Action Research: Participate Inquiry and
Practice, 2nd Edition. London: Sage
Coronel, S. (2003). The Role of the Media in Deepening Democracy. Paper from The
5th International Conference of New or Restored Democracies United Nation Public
Administration Network (UNPAN). Retrieved 15 September 2014.
http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/un/unpan010194.pdf
Covey, S. (1999). The Seven Habis of Highly Effective People. London: Simon &
Schuster
Dwyer, T. (2014). Press Freedom Discourse after Leveson: Ethics, Elections and
Media Concentration in Australia. In The Political Economy of Communication, 2(1).
Retrieved 14 September 2014.
http://www.polecom.org/index.php/polecom/article/view/30/21
Elvin, A. (2014). How can social work get better media coverage? In Guardian
Professional, Monday, 24 February. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
http://www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/social-life-blog/2014/feb/24/social-
work-better-media-coverage
Fenton, N. (2011). Deregulation or democracy? New media, news, neoliberalism and
the public interest. In Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies, Vol. 25, No. 1,
February, pp. 63–72. Retrieved 14 August 2014. DOI:
10.1080/10304312.2011.539159.
Gleitman, H. (1991). Psychology, 3rd Edition. New York: W.W.Norton&Co.
Guba, E. & Lincoln, Y. (2005). Paradigmatic controversies, contradictions, and
emerging confluences. In Denzin, N. & Lincoln. Y. (Eds.). The Sage Handbook of
Qualitative Research, pp.191-215. Thousand Oaks, C.A.: Sage.
Guhathakurta, M. (2013). Theatre in Participatory Action Research: Experiences
from Bangladesh. In Reason, P. & Bradbury, H. The Sage Handbook of Action
Research: Participate Inquiry and Practice, 2nd Edition. London: Sage
Hall, S., Massey, D., & Rustin, M. (2013). After neoliberalism: analysing the present.
Soundings: A journal of politics and culture, 53(1), 8-22. Retrieved 1 September
2014. http://www.lwbooks.co.uk/journals/soundings/pdfs/s53hallmasseyrustin.pdf
Halleck, D. & Taub-Pervizpour, L. (2013). Video Activism as a Way of Life: An
Interview with DeeDee Halleck. In Jansen, S.C., Pooley, J., Taub-Pervizpour, L.
Media and Social Justice. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Harding, S. (1991). Whose science? Whose knowledge? Ithaca: Cornell University
Press.
Haraway, D. (1988) The Persistence of Vision from situated Knowledges: The
Science Question in Feminism and the Privilege of Partial perspectives. Feminist
Studies, 14, no.3
Healy, L.M. (2008). Exploring the History of Social Work as a Human Right
Profession. International Social Work, 51(6), pp.735-748.
doi:10.1177/0020872808095247
Hill-Collins, P. (1990) Black Feminist Thought Knowledge, Consciousness, and The
Politics of Empowerment, London: Unwin Hyman
Hooks, B. (1994). Outlaw Culture: Resisting Representations. New York: Routledge.
Janowitz, M. (1968). The Study of Mass Communication. In Sills, D.E. (ed).
International Encyclo- pedia of the Social Sciences, vol.3, pp.41-53. New York:
MacMillan Company and Free Press
Jansen, S.C., Pooley, J., Taub-Pervizpour, L. (2013). Media and Social Justice.
Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Jones, C. (2002). Social Work and Society. In Adams, R., Dominelli, L., and Payne,
M. Social Work: Themes, Issues, and Critical Debates, second edition, pp.41-49.
London: Palgrave
Lorde, A. (1980). Age, Race, Class and Sex: Women Redifining Difference (paper
delivered at “The Copeland Colloqium”, Amherst College, April 1980). In Lorde
(1984) Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches by Audre Lorde, pp. 114-123. New
York: The Crossing Press.
Lunch, N. & Lunch, C. (2006). Insights into Participatory Video: A Handbook for the
Field. Oxford: InsightShare.
Lunch, N. (2013). This is not a video camera. TEDx lecture in Brussel, 8 March
2013. Retrieved from InsightShare website on 26 March 2014
http://insightshare.org/resources/article/not-video-camera-tedx-talk-script
TEDx Talk video from TEDx website retrieved 26 March 2014
http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/This-is-not-a-video-camera-Chri;search%3AIHECS
Mahama, G.A. (2004). Documentary for Change: Using Women in Participatory
Video Production. Work Study submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master
of Arts in Television Documentary Production. Salford: University of Salford.
Martinez, E. & Garcia, A. (1997). What is “Neo-Liberalism”? A brief definition for
activists. In Corporate Watch and Collective Liberation website. Retrieved 14
September 2014. http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=376 and
http://collectiveliberation.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/What_Is_Neoliberalism.pdf
McLuhan, M. (1964) Understanding Media: The Extension of Man. Canada:
McGraw-Hill
McQuail, D. & Windahl, S. (1993). Communication Models: for The Study of Mass
Communication, 2nd Edition. London: Longman.
McQuail, D. (1994). Mass Communication Theory: An Introduction, 3rd Edition.
London: Sage
Media Reform Coalition (2014). The elephant in the room: a survey of media
ownership and plurality in the United Kingdom. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
http://www.mediareform.org.uk/wp-
content/uploads/2014/04/ElephantintheroomFinalfinal.pdf
Monbiot, G. (2000). Captive State: the corporate takeover of Britain. London:
Macmillan
Obholzer, A. (1995). Managing Social Anxieties in Public Sector Organization. In
Obholzer, A. & Roberts, V.Z. (Eds). The Unconscious at Work. London: Routledge.
Patashnick, J. L., & Rich, M. (2005). Researching human experience: Video
intervention/prevention assessment (via). Australasian Journal of Information
Systems, 12(2), 103-111.
Probyn, E. (2003). The Spatial Imperative of Subjectivity. in Anderson, K.,
Domosh,M., Pile S., & Thrift, N. (Eds). Handbook of Cultural Geography, pp.290-299.
London: Sage.
Reason, P. & Bradbury, H. (2013). The Sage Handbook of Action Research:
Participate Inquiry and Practice, 2nd Edition. London: Sage
Rosen, J. (1999). What are Journalists for?. London: Yale University Press.
Ryan, C., & Gamson, W. (2013). Sustaining Collaboration: Lessons from the Media
Research and Action Project. In Jansen, S.C., Pooley, J., Taub-Pervizpour, L.
(2013). Media and Social Justice. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Seale, C. (1999). The Quality of Qualitative Research. London: Sage.
Steiner, J. (1993). Psychic retreats. London: Routledge.
Stevenson, N. (1999). The Transformation of The Media: Globalisation, Morality and
Ethics. London: Longman
Stevenson, N. (2002). Understanding Media Culture: Social Theory and Mass
Communication, 2nd Edition. London: Sage.
Swisher, K. (2003). There Must Be a Pony in Here Somewhere: The AOL Time
Warner Debacle and the Quest for a Digital Future. New York: Crown Business
The College of Social Work/TCSW (2002). Media ethics: experiences from the social
work profession. Research conducted by The Centre for Health Communication
Research & Excellence, Buckinghamshire New University. From The College of
Social Work website. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
http://www.tcsw.org.uk/uploadedFiles/TheCollege/Policy/Media%20ethics%20experi
ences%20from%20the%20social%20work%20profession.pdf
Tumenggung, A.M (2005). Laba-Laba Media: Hidup dalam Galaksi Informasi (Media
Spider: Living in the Information Galaxy). Jakarta: LSPP – Institute for Press and
Development Studies.
Tumenggung-Cooke, A. (2011). The Many Facets of News Corps Scandal. In The
Jakarta Post, Saturday, 23 July. Online version retrieved 12 September 2014.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/07/23/the-many-facets-news-corps-
scandal.html
Williams, M. (2014). Child abuse campaigner: Rotherham scandal is part of a 'vastly
wider issue'. In The Guardian, Sunday, 31 August. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/aug/31/rotherham-child-abuse-
campaigner-vastly-wider-issue
APPENDIX ONE: Search Log
Date Database/site search term Limiting result by Result
21/08/14 Applied Social
Sciences Index and
Abstracts (ASSIA)
by ProQuest
“mass media”
AND “social
work”
- peer reviewed
- Source type:
Scholarly
Journals
-Language:
English
Found 29
results. Among
the 29, I chose
11 below only
9 are relevant,
two are not
very relevant
due to the
sociological
context
From the nine from ASSIA, eight are relevant to my subject.
1. Valentine & Freeman (2002).
Valentine, D.P & Freeman, M. (2002). Film Portrayals of Social Workers Doing Child
Welfare Work. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal 19.6, Dec, pp. 455-471.
Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/57127015/1A88EC074E754799PQ/11?acc
ountid=8058
2. Weiss-Gal & Peled (2009).
Weiss-Gal,I. & Peled,E. (2009). Publishing Voice: Training Social Workers in Policy
Practice. The British Journal of Social Work 39.2, Mar, pp.368-382. Retrieved 22
August 2014.
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/1520311232/1A88EC074E754799PQ/13?a
ccountid=8058
3. Brawley (1997)
Brawley, E A. (1997). Teaching social work students to use advocacy skills through
the mass media. Journal of Social Work Education , 33.3, Oct, pp. 445-460. Retrieved
22 August 2014.
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/57380098/1A88EC074E754799PQ/1?acco
untid=8058
4. Garrett (2001)
Garrett, P M. (2001). Interrogating 'home alone': the critical deconstruction of media
representations in social work education. Social Work Education 20.6, Dec, pp.643-
658. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/57509294/1A88EC074E754799PQ/2?acco
untid=8058
5. Zugazaga, et.al (2006)
Zugazaga, C.B., Surette, R.B., Mendez, M., Otto, C.W. (2006) Social Worker
Perceptions of the Portrayal of the Profession in the News and Entertainment Media:
An Exploratory Study. Journal of Social Work Education, 42.3, Oct, pp.621-536.
Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/57156124/1A88EC074E754799PQ/8?acco
untid=8058
6. Aldridge (1990)
Aldridge, M. (1990). Social work and the news media: a hopeless case?. British
Journal of Social Work ,20, Dec, pp. 611-625. Retrieved 22 August 2014
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/57619228/1A88EC074E754799PQ/3?acco
untid=8058
7. Mendes (2008)
Mendes, P. (2008). Blaming the messenger: the media, social workers and child
abuse. Australian Social Work, 54.2, Jun, pp.27-36. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/57659679/1A88EC074E754799PQ/9?acco
untid=8058
8. Ayre (2001)
Ayre, P. (2001) Child protection and the media: lessons from the last three decades.
British Journal of Social Work, 31.6, Dec, pp.887-901. Retrieved 22 August 2014
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/57761060/1A88EC074E754799PQ/15?acc
ountid=8058
21/08/14 EBSCO “mass media”
AND “social
work”
Limiters:
-Full Text
-Scholarly (Peer
Reviewed)
Journals
-Published Date:
1990/01/01-
2014/12/31
-Publication Type:
Periodical,
AND Primary
Source Document
-Document Type:
Article
-Language:
English
67 results. Among the
67, I choose 20 that
are more relevant.
From the 20, two are
already chosen from
other database
(ASSIA), and four are
not very relevant
although personally
interested. Therefore
I chose 14 from
EBSCO
From the 14 articles from EBSCO, eight are relevant for my research:
1. Stone, et.al. (2008)
Stone, S., Ekman, E., English, D., Fujimori, S. (2008). Collaboration among social
work and journalist students and faculty: an instructional model. Journal of Social
Work Education, Winter, Vol.44 Issue 1, pp.163-172. Retrieved 22 August 2014
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib,cookie,ip,url,uid&
db=aph&AN=33871777&custid=s2888710
2. Gibelman (2004)
Gibelman, M. (2004). Television and the Public Image of Social Workers: Portrayal or
Betrayal?. Social Work, Apr, Vol. 49 Issue 2, p331-334. Washington DC: NASW
Press. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib,cookie,ip,url,uid&
db=aph&AN=12860603&custid=s2888710
3. Boehm (2004)
Boehm, A. (2004). Integrating media and community practice: a case of television
report production. Social Work Education, Aug, Vol. 23 Issue 4, pp. 417-434.
Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib,cookie,ip,url,uid&
db=aph&AN=13929236&custid=s2888710
4. Freeman & Valentine (2004)
Freeman, M. & Valentine, D. (2004). Through the Eyes of Hollywood: Images of
Social Workers in Film. Social Work. Apr, Vol. 49 Issue 2, pp.151-161. Washington
DC: NASW Press. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib,cookie,ip,url,uid&
db=aph&AN=12860422&custid=s2888710
5. Nolan-Abrahamian (2009)
Nolan-Abrahamian, E. (2009). Photography in the Field: Empowering Youth and
Affecting Public Policy. Youth Media Reporter, 2009, Vol. 3, pp.7-10. Retrieved 22
August 2014.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib,cookie,ip,url,uid&
db=aph&AN=49573330&custid=s2888710
6. Mendes (2000)
Mendes, p. (2000). Social Conservatism vs Social Justice: The Portrayal of Child
Abuse in the Press in Victoria, Australia. Child Abuse Review, Jan/Feb, Vol. 9 Issue
1, p49-61. Milton, Queensland: John Wiley & Sons Australia Ltd.
7. Holder & Treno (1997)
Holder, H.D. & Treno, A.J. (1997). Media advocacy in community prevention: news as
a means to advance policy change. Addiction, June Supplement, Vol. 92, pp.189-199.
Retrieved 22 August 2014
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib,cookie,ip,url,uid&
db=aph&AN=9708252512&custid=s2888710
8. Reid & Misener (2001)
Reid, W.J & Misener, E. (2001). Social work in the press: a cross-national study.
International Journal of Social Welfare, July, Vol. 10 Issue 3, pp.194-201. Retrieved
22 August 2014.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib,cookie,ip,url,uid&
db=aph&AN=4859571&custid=s2888710
APPENDIX TWO: List of peer-reviewed journal articles arranged thematically 1A. How the mass media portray social work.
1. Valentine & Freeman (2002).
Valentine, D.P & Freeman, M. (2002). Film Portrayals of Social Workers Doing Child
Welfare Work. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal 19.6, Dec, pp. 455-471.
Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/57127015/1A88EC074E754799PQ/11?ac
countid=8058
2. Freeman & Valentine (2004)
Freeman, M. & Valentine, D. (2004). Through the Eyes of Hollywood: Images of
Social Workers in Film. Social Work. Apr, Vol. 49 Issue 2, pp.151-161. Washington
DC: NASW Press. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib,cookie,ip,url,uid
&db=aph&AN=12860422&custid=s2888710
3. Reid & Misener (2001)
Reid, W.J & Misener, E. (2001). Social work in the press: a cross-national study.
International Journal of Social Welfare, July, Vol. 10 Issue 3, pp.194-201. Retrieved
22 August 2014.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib,cookie,ip,url,uid
&db=aph&AN=4859571&custid=s2888710
4. Ayre (2001)
Ayre, P. (2001) Child protection and the media: lessons from the last three decades.
British Journal of Social Work, 31.6, Dec, pp.887-901. Retrieved 22 August 2014
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/57761060/1A88EC074E754799PQ/15?ac
countid=8058
5. Mendes (2000)
Mendes, p. (2000). Social Conservatism vs Social Justice: The Portrayal of Child
Abuse in the Press in Victoria, Australia. Child Abuse Review, Jan/Feb, Vol. 9 Issue
1, p49-61. Milton, Queensland: John Wiley & Sons Australia Ltd.
6. Mendes (2008)
Mendes, P. (2008). Blaming the messenger: the media, social workers and child
abuse. Australian Social Work, 54.2, Jun, pp.27-36. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/57659679/1A88EC074E754799PQ/9?acc
ountid=8058
1B. How social workers perceive the mass media portrayal of the profession.
7. Aldridge (1990)
Aldridge, M. (1990). Social work and the news media: a hopeless case?. British
Journal of Social Work ,20, Dec, pp. 611-625. Retrieved 22 August 2014
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/57619228/1A88EC074E754799PQ/3?acc
ountid=8058
8. Gibelman (2004)
Gibelman, M. (2004). Television and the Public Image of Social Workers: Portrayal
or Betrayal?. Social Work, Apr, Vol. 49 Issue 2, p331-334. Washington DC: NASW
Press. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib,cookie,ip,url,uid
&db=aph&AN=12860603&custid=s2888710
9. Zugazaga, et.al (2006)
Zugazaga, C.B., Surette, R.B., Mendez, M., Otto, C.W. (2006) Social Worker
Perceptions of the Portrayal of the Profession in the News and Entertainment Media:
An Exploratory Study. Journal of Social Work Education, 42.3, Oct, pp.621-536.
Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/57156124/1A88EC074E754799PQ/8?acc
ountid=8058
2. Recommendations: 2a.Potential factors to mutual understanding of social
work and the mass media; 2b.Collaboration between the two fields
10. Weiss-Gal & Peled (2009).
Weiss-Gal,I. & Peled,E. (2009). Publishing Voice: Training Social Workers in Policy
Practice. The British Journal of Social Work 39.2, Mar, pp.368-382. Retrieved 22
August 2014.
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/1520311232/1A88EC074E754799PQ/13?
accountid=8058
11.Boehm (2004)
Boehm, A. (2004). Integrating media and community practice: a case of television
report production. Social Work Education, Aug, Vol. 23 Issue 4, pp. 417-434.
Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib,cookie,ip,url,uid
&db=aph&AN=13929236&custid=s2888710
12. Brawley (1997)
Brawley, E A. (1997). Teaching social work students to use advocacy skills through
the mass media. Journal of Social Work Education , 33.3, Oct, pp. 445-460.
Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/57380098/1A88EC074E754799PQ/1?acc
ountid=8058
13. Stone, et.al. (2008)
Stone, S., Ekman, E., English, D., Fujimori, S. (2008). Collaboration among social
work and journalist students and faculty: an instructional model. Journal of Social
Work Education, Winter, Vol.44 Issue 1, pp.163-172. Retrieved 22 August 2014
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib,cookie,ip,url,uid
&db=aph&AN=33871777&custid=s2888710
14. Garrett (2001)
Garrett, P M. (2001). Interrogating 'home alone': the critical deconstruction of media
representations in social work education. Social Work Education 20.6, Dec, pp.643-
658. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
http://search.proquest.com/assia/docview/57509294/1A88EC074E754799PQ/2?acc
ountid=8058
15. Holder & Treno (1997)
Holder, H.D. & Treno, A.J. (1997). Media advocacy in community prevention: news
as a means to advance policy change. Addiction, June Supplement, Vol. 92, pp.189-
199. Retrieved 22 August 2014
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib,cookie,ip,url,uid
&db=aph&AN=9708252512&custid=s2888710
16. Nolan-Abrahamian (2009)
Nolan-Abrahamian, E. (2009). Photography in the Field: Empowering Youth and
Affecting Public Policy. Youth Media Reporter, 2009, Vol. 3, pp.7-10. Retrieved 22
August 2014.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib,cookie,ip,url,uid
&db=aph&AN=49573330&custid=s2888710
Appendix Three – summary of information based on Aveyard’s summary table (2010, pp.128-129)
No
Author / date
Aim of study / paper
Type of study / information
Main findings / conclusion Strength, limitation, recommendation
Measurement Using Guba&Lincoln’s (2005) authenticity
1 Valentine & Freeman (2002).
To explore (reports) images of children social workers as portrayed in movies from 1938 to 1999
Content analysis
Child welfare workers are mostly (p.467): Women, white, performing clinical activities, work with people in poverty, maintain status quo, make no effort to change oppressive system, blame the system, have “my hands are tied” attitude
Strength in their recommendation: -Developing consultative relationships with professionals in film industries (p.468) -Be proud as social workers (p.469) -Reflection and “see ourselves as others see us” (p.470)
Authenticity (Guba and Lincoln, 2005): -fairness’? Yes -ontological authenticity’? No -educative authenticity’? Yes -catalytic authenticity’? No -tactical authenticity’? No
2 Freeman & Valentine (2004)
To explore (Investigate) images of social workers as portrayed in moves from 1938-1998. Based on Bell Hooks (1994) study of the representation of gender and race in pop culture
Content analysis, qualitative data analysis (systematic film review?)
Social work based on 44 movies are mostly (p.154): -gender: female & heterosexual -race: white -socioeconomic status of sw: middle class; &of service users: in poverty -intervention at the micro level, no attention to social action/change -practice setting: child welfare -incompetent
-using Bell Hooks’ theory of motivated representation: images of sw in movies motivated by efforts to maintain status quo of the dominant society (p160). -Or is it a mirror of historical and current tensions in the profession (p.160) Recommendation: need to “enhance our public image by presenting ourselves in ways that accurately reflect the wide variety of roles that all social workers perform and the diversity of the social workers” (p.161) by good relationship with mass media (eg. being consultants to TV and movie industries) -greater clarity about exactly who we are, what we do, and why and how we do it.
Authenticity (Guba and Lincoln, 2005): -fairness’? Yes -ontological authenticity’? No -educative authenticity’? Yes -catalytic authenticity’? No -tactical authenticity’? No
3 Reid & Misener (2001)
To investigate (&compare) the image of social work in newspapers in
Sample of 20 constructed weeks randomly
“Social work appears to have a serious image problem in the UK press; US press treats sw much more kindly” (p.198). This
“Criticism might be deserved, but an understanding by journalist of the complexities and
Authenticity (Guba and Lincoln, 2005): -fairness’? Yes -ontological
No
Author / date
Aim of study / paper
Type of study / information
Main findings / conclusion Strength, limitation, recommendation
Measurement Using Guba&Lincoln’s (2005) authenticity
USA and UK drawn from 60 major daily newspapers from Jan 1995 to June 1999, yielding 399 articles (p.194) (Quantitative,Content analysis?)
could be because the USA is geographically much larger so that local news tend to be kept local; but also the USA has stronger professional organisations (p.199) [and maybe better PR-conscious) Rating of overall image of social work: In the USA, 58% positive &13% negative; In the UK, 30% negative and 13% positive. Headlines mentioned social work: In the USA 47% positive image of social work, 26% negative; In the UK 20% positive, 80% negative (p.196)
uncertainties [in sw] might result in better balanced reporting with less finger-pointing at social workers” (p.200). “Improving sw image as maximising the profession’s effectiveness. Recommendation (see also Brawley, 1997): social workers working with media personnel, writing stories/column, appear as experts in talk shows, prepare and distribute news releases, publish advocacy.
authenticity’? Yes -educative authenticity’? Yes -catalytic authenticity’? Yes -tactical authenticity’? No
4 Ayre (2001)
To explore media coverage of child protection in 1970s-1990s and its contribution to the climate of fear, blame and mistrust within the field of child protection.
Academic opinion
“The impact of child welfare in England&Wales was greatly amplified by the large number of cases brought to public attention and the intensity of the response in the print and broadcast media. Each scandal was followed by an unholy trinity of: aggressive public pillorying in the mass media of agencies deemed responsible; publication of more recommendations to welfare agencies after public enquiries; central gov. issue more intricately wrought practice guidance to prevent recurrence” (p.888) “developments in child protection in England and Wales over the period suggest that the allocation of resources has been driven primarily by the desire of politicians and senior managers to avoid
Limitation: -one sided opinion from a social worker/social academic point of view -the author started with an assumption (“sensationalist coverage of a series of celebrated child abuse scandals in England in Wales”) without any quantitative or qualitative research of the actual mass media content; and then jumped into conclusion that these “sensationalist coverage” directly impacted the practice and regulating of social work Strength: the use of system approach to analyse. (p.894-896) “feedforward control system vs. feedback system”; “social work as professionals not
Authenticity (Guba and Lincoln, 2005): -fairness’? No -ontological authenticity’? Yes -educative authenticity’? Yes -catalytic authenticity’? No -tactical authenticity’? No
No
Author / date
Aim of study / paper
Type of study / information
Main findings / conclusion Strength, limitation, recommendation
Measurement Using Guba&Lincoln’s (2005) authenticity
featuring on the front page of the tabloid press” (p.889) Sacrifice prevention for the elimination of danger (p.897)
technicians”
5 Mendes (2000)
To explore the role of the media in influencing child protection policies in Victoria, Australia.
Academic opinion & (qualitative) case studies of two daily newspapers in Melbourne.
-The Age (owned by Fairfax Press, one of four quality Australian newspapers): generally eschewed simplistic coverage of individual cases in favour of broader structural reform agendas. -Herald Sun (owned by Rupert Murdoch, sympathetic to conservative Liberal Party): consistently pursued a broader social conservative agenda – defending traditional nuclear families from subversive/deviant groups of incompetent authoritarian state social workers, or from deviant abusive parents.
Strength: shows the impact of ownership and political allegiance of newspapers to their coverage style; hence not simplistic in generalising the mass media like Aldridge (1990) and Ayre (2001) did. Limitation: methodology in summarising the content and style of reporting social work issues of the two papers.
Authenticity (Guba and Lincoln, 2005): -fairness’? Yes -ontological authenticity’? Yes -educative authenticity’? No -catalytic authenticity’? No -tactical authenticity’? No
6 Mendes (2008)
To explore the agenda-setting role of the media, and to find a more effective and pro-active social work. Scope of research: mainly Australia with some examples from the UK
Academic opinion
-“The media often has the power to shape short-term public opinion and guide proposals for policy reform in a particular political or ideological direction” (p.27) +“media campaigns helped produce more equitable and effective child protection policies and practices -sensationalist, simplistic, characterised by gender blindness and a search for scapegoats” (p.28) -social workers are labelled as either “incompetent wimps or
Strength: -allowed people to see other viewpoints (‘educative authenticity’) -encouraged change (‘catalytic authenticity’) in recommending voice for social workers either by letting social workers explain their position (see also Elvin, 2014, regarding the gag) and active involvement of professional associations.
-fairness’? No -ontological authenticity’? No -educative authenticity’? Yes -catalytic authenticity’? No -tactical authenticity’? Yes
No
Author / date
Aim of study / paper
Type of study / information
Main findings / conclusion Strength, limitation, recommendation
Measurement Using Guba&Lincoln’s (2005) authenticity
child-stealing authoritarian bullies” (p.30). -Media attack on social work is a mirror of “New Right’s hostility to the modern welfare state and the professionals who deliver its services” (p.31) as “social workers have become a flagship/symbol for the entire public sector”
7 Aldridge (1990)
To theorise about the news media, to explore the determining factors of poor media coverage (of social work), to understand how the mass media work and think
Academic opinion
Assumptions: -media are driven by costs and profits -neo-liberal model means media messages are a reflection of audience demands - messages are outcome of wider social&economic forces (p.612) -good news=no news (p.615) � good practice=no news? (p.617) -plurality and tensions in social work (“goals of social works are diverse, contradictory and contested even within the profession” p.615) -sw stories that made news fall to “human interest” category, but “most consumer have no contact with state sw”, sw are misunderstood (in Daily Mail “as do-ogooders & communist, p.616).‘human interest’ = stories of victims
Strength: helped people develop increased understanding (‘ontological authenticity’) Limitation: one sided (similar to Ayre, 2001), negative not constructive. Recommendation: -understand mass media’s logic -ignore the tabloid-style coverage as “they don’t understand us anyway”
Guba and Lincoln (2005) -fairness’? No -ontological authenticity’? Yes -educative authenticity’? No -catalytic authenticity’? No -tactical authenticity’? No
8 Gibelman (2004)
To analyse television series portrayal of social work.
Opinion, critical observation
-Social work image in (fictional) TV series are mainly negative. “social worker continues to be portrayed as uneducated, bumbling, laughable” (p.332) -social workers need to influence the media
Recommendations (p.333): -develop networking skills (to influence script writers, producers) -work together with the (mass) media -teach the media skills at social work schools -learning modules or courses on public and media relation (see
Guba and Lincoln (2005) -fairness’? Yes -ontological authenticity’? Yes -educative authenticity’? Yes -catalytic authenticity’? Yes -tactical
No
Author / date
Aim of study / paper
Type of study / information
Main findings / conclusion Strength, limitation, recommendation
Measurement Using Guba&Lincoln’s (2005) authenticity
also Weiss-Gal &Peled, 2009). -infusing modules about popular media and means to access it (see also Boehm, 2004) -collaborative continuing education programmes between schools of social work, journalism and public relation (see also Stone et.al, 2008;
authenticity’? Yes
9 Zugazaga, et.al (2006)
To explore and describe social workers’ perception of the depiction of the social work profession in the news and entertainment media.
Quantitative survey with questionnaire sent to random sample of social workers in Florida (members of National Association of Social Workers)
Most social workers in the study perceived that the profession is being depicted negatively in both news and entertainment media.
Recommendation (pp.633-634): more proactive media strategy, ensure profession-enhancing content; be client and media aware; develop a “social work and media” course; infuse social work curricula with media use; social workers need to first understand the profession of journalism; develop appreciation for deadline pressures & other news media constraints; develop ability to draft press release, identify the need for press conference without using jargons. Strength in methodology (Seale, 1999): there is a clear account of the criteria used for the selection of participants; there is a clear account of the process of data collection and analysis.
Guba and Lincoln (2005) -fairness’? Yes -ontological authenticity’? Yes -educative authenticity’? Yes -catalytic authenticity’? Yes -tactical authenticity’? Yes
1 Weiss- course/module Participat Outcome: 37 pieces were Strength (Seale,1999): Guba and
No
Author / date
Aim of study / paper
Type of study / information
Main findings / conclusion Strength, limitation, recommendation
Measurement Using Guba&Lincoln’s (2005) authenticity
0 Gal & Peled (2009).
for sw to produce opinion column & talk shows To use the “Media Project” (a programme of media education/ training for social workers) to evaluate ways to improve the ability of social workers in using the mass media as an accessible method of policy practice.
ory action research. Time: five months. Participants: 26 social workers and postgrad social work students. The final assignment for the module is either a published op-ed article or broadcast appearance, discussing social work topics.
published in daily newspapers, online news sites, social work periodicals, radio and TV programmes. The content: identify social problems; identify deficiencies in existing social policy; publicise successful welfare initiative; alert the public to consumer manipulations. The feedback includes: enhanced ability to publish, increased desire and ability to use the media in professional work; increased sense of expertise as social workers; useful to promote social issues (pp.375-378).
action research that is feasible for duplication -the methods used in the research appropriate to the nature of the question being asked - there is a clear account of the criteria used for the selection of people included in the study - there is consideration of the relationships between researchers&participants -the findings address the research questions - the findings are plausible and coherent -the findings are important practically for future application Limitation: the project did not include empowering service users to write and publish in the mass media.
Lincoln (2005) -fairness’? Yes -ontological authenticity’? Yes -educative authenticity’? Yes -catalytic authenticity’? Yes -tactical authenticity’? Yes
11
Boehm (2004)
course/module for sw to produce TV news reports -To explore the potential for active participation of social work students in the producing TV report through a course in Israel. The students took active part in investigating idea&development; scriptwriting; filming;editing; broadcast &
Participatory action research; the participants then filled open-ended questionnaire -course title: “Community Practice Through Production of TV Reports” -in one semester
Findings: the distance between media and social work can be bridged through production of TV reports.This is encouraging because TV influences society more than any other media” (p.432) -The students, who had no previous experience, succeeded in producing valuable reports and were involved in several aspects of community practice. -there are challenges to be considered when planning and operating such courses: mobilising resources; developing teams with social
Seale (1999 p.189-192): the methods used in the research appropriate to the nature of the question being asked; there is a clear account of the criteria used for the selection of participants (3
rd year
sw students at two universities in Israel); clear account of the process of data collection and analysis; the research been clearly contextualised; the findings address the research questions; the findings are plausible and coherent; the findings
Guba and Lincoln (2005) -fairness’? Yes -ontological authenticity’? Yes -educative authenticity’? Yes -catalytic authenticity’? Yes -tactical authenticity’? Yes
No
Author / date
Aim of study / paper
Type of study / information
Main findings / conclusion Strength, limitation, recommendation
Measurement Using Guba&Lincoln’s (2005) authenticity
dialogue -To discuss the course's characteristic, stages of production & involvement of the students
(15 sessions, each 2 hours) -participants are 3
rd
year sw students
orientation, technological training, integrating community practice and coping with ethical issues. Feedback from participants: -teamwork intensity, difficulties such as with deadline, unclear roles -challenges in learning new technologicy (media technology), but also cross the language barriers -questioning control and interests, representation and loyalty. -other issues: reality &illusion; accuracy &credibility; balance; privacy rights; structuring reality;media influence; promoting social ideas; building network; lobbying; fundraising
are important both theoretically and practically.
12
Brawley (1997)
To facilitate and explore how teaching sw students & practitioners about mass media communica-tion research can provide skills to influence (advocacy role) the development of social policies and services for vulnerable populations. To explore instructional activities in sw education
Academic opinion / theoretical exploration
Participation in mass communication network can further the social policy goals of sw profession.
Recommendation: to incorporate media advocacy skills and media research skills into sw curricula. “Faculty in social work education programmes need to incorporate basic content on the use of the media into the curriculum. Students should be alerted to the fact that they can (and should) play important role in educating the public; sw students should be introduced to possibilities through local mass media; and opportunities to practice” (p.455)
Guba and Lincoln (2005) -fairness’? Yes -ontological authenticity’? No -educative authenticity’? Yes -catalytic authenticity’? Yes -tactical authenticity’? No
No
Author / date
Aim of study / paper
Type of study / information
Main findings / conclusion Strength, limitation, recommendation
Measurement Using Guba&Lincoln’s (2005) authenticity
13
Stone, et.al. (2008)
To provide instructional model promoting interdisciplinary collaboration for Master's degree students in sw and journalism. Active collaboration to create a single issue magazine focused on social welfare issues.
Action research
-Learning opportunities for sw and journalism students -Identified role tensions between the two professions -Deepened understanding -Methods for collaboration to advance social justice “Key learning opportunities for both professions: develop skills in written expression; explore social welfare problems and issues; learn interdisciplinary collaboration; reflect professional roles and values; provide concrete strategies for collaboration” (p.169)
Limitations: transportability (not all colleges and universities offer both sw and journalism); and funding for the magazine & editorial role of the journalism faculty member; The interdisciplinary collaboration based on theoretical framework & needs further evaluation on process and outcomes (p.170). Recommendation: in the absence of journalism faculty member/lecturer, voluntary professional journalists can provide editorial assistance and feedback.
Guba and Lincoln (2005) -fairness’? Yes -ontological authenticity’? Yes -educative authenticity’? Yes -catalytic authenticity’? Yes -tactical authenticity’? Yes Seale (1999) limitation in data collection and record keeping (methods); limitation in discussion of themes from the data (evaluation on process and outcomes needs further work, Stone et.al., 2008, p.170).
14
Garrett (2001)
To explore using popular media (movies) in sw education to address a range of issues that are central to sw theoretical concerns and practice
Theoretical exploration / opinion
Popular mass media product (fiction films) can be used as a tool to raise issues for sw education / pedagogy. For example the movie Home Alone (1990) “provides a lens to view key themes in children and families sw such as: criminalisation of harm to children; instability of 'good enough parenting' construct; dominant conceptualisation of motherhood; disappearance of fathers; possibilities& tensions in
Strength: creative approach in sw education Limitation: Recommendation: “media representation of key sw concerns can be used as a springboard to explore the impact of such representations on public perceptions of sw and social workers. Deconstruction of media constructs provides opportunities
Guba and Lincoln (2005) -fairness’? Yes -ontological authenticity’? No -educative authenticity’? Yes -catalytic authenticity’? Yes -tactical authenticity’? No
No
Author / date
Aim of study / paper
Type of study / information
Main findings / conclusion Strength, limitation, recommendation
Measurement Using Guba&Lincoln’s (2005) authenticity
multi-disciplinary work; refocussing of services; ideological categories centred on poor service users; centrality of networks and ecological approach; opportunities to create 'issues' our of 'cases'” (p.644)
to interrogate major themes and sub-texts in sw pedagogy/education” (p.655)
15
Holder & Treno (1997)
To try the strategic use of news media to advance a social or public policy initiative.
Action research (“Community Trials Project”) Local community (not social workers) are trained/taught in media advocacy
-Presents a conceptual model of media advocacy -documents certain topic (alcohol-related) in news coverage -compares changes (impact of news coverage) -examines community awareness of media advocacy and traditional public information campaigns. Findings (p.189): -training in media advocacy can increase coverage of news events generated by local community members -increased news coverage can be generated for both broadcast and print -increased news coverage can focus public attention -audience are affected -media advocacy can be more effective than paid public information campaigns.
Limitation: for sw professionals to train local community in media advocacy, first of all the trainers need to be experts/ experienced in media advocacy (resources, like the limitation encountered by Stone, et.al., 2008. Hence recommendation can also be applied what Stone et.al suggested).
Guba and Lincoln (2005) -fairness’? Yes -ontological authenticity’? No -educative authenticity’? Yes -catalytic authenticity’? Yes -tactical authenticity’? No
16
Nolan-Abrahamian (2009)
To explore and discuss photography as a tool to empower youth and affect public policy
Case studies (action research) at “Critical Exposure” ngo in Washington D.C.
As described by a participant (10
th grade
student), “I learned that even the smallest camera can give you power to benefits society” (p.7) Photography offers certain advantages such as accessibilities, versatility, portability, cost and time.
Recommendation: “Youth media practitioners should consider including photography as a component of their media projects.” Limitiation: for sw practitioner, first of all need skills in photography and in
Guba and Lincoln (2005) -fairness’? Yes -ontological authenticity’? No -educative authenticity’? Yes -catalytic authenticity’? Yes -tactical
No
Author / date
Aim of study / paper
Type of study / information
Main findings / conclusion Strength, limitation, recommendation
Measurement Using Guba&Lincoln’s (2005) authenticity
teaching (see also Stone, et.al., 2008, for limitation and recommendation – i.e. possible collaboration with professional media/photography and youth workers).
authenticity’? No
Appendix Four - “Communication and Mass Media” module for social work
Sample of Mass Communication and Critical Media Course:
1. Theories and models of mass communication
2. Mass communication in practice: breaking news & news headlines, 5W1H
3. Features, soft news, human interest; Columns, Opinion-Editorials
4. Broadcast media 1: radio
5. Broadcast media 2: television
6. Documentary & independent films
7. Using internet to upload articles, video, campaign, poll/survey
Top Related