Media rhetoric of post-heroic leadership: Julia Gillard, Barack Obama and Press Gallery journalists, 2010–2013©. Issue 1 (May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Coatney, Caryn
• Is Part Of: Media international Australia. Number 167:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 71
• Page End: 87
• Publication Date: 2018-05
• Subjects: Afghanistan -- Barack Obama -- Canberra Press Gallery -- journalism -- Julia Gillard -- post-heroic leadership; Mass media -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Mass media -- Australia -- Periodicals; Communication -- Australia -- Periodicals; Australia -- Cultural policy -- Periodicals; Médias -- Aspect social -- Périodiques; Médias -- Australie -- Périodiques; Communication -- Australie -- Périodiques; Massamedia; Communication; Cultural policy; Mass media; Mass media -- Social aspects; Australia; Periodicals; 302.23
• DOI: 10.1177/1329878X18766089
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1324-5325

Abstract

Scholars have recognised the Canberra Press Gallery's capacity to contribute to an inclusive, collective style of political leadership in the context of declining nostalgia for heroes of military conflict. While political leaders have signified supporting journalists in a 'cooperative search for truth' about a conflict, the Gallery has influenced these relations as 'the courageous teller of a truth'. This article examines the media rhetoric and Press Gallery relations of Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and her identification with US President Barack Obama during the conflict in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013. Gillard connected to Obama's agenda by arguing, like him, that military sacrifices had been justified because of the need to support marginalised groups, including Afghan women and girls. This article argues that as time went by, Press Gallery journalists increasingly queried and investigated Gillard's rationale for the conflict. The journalists portrayed their role as public defenders of the 'truth' about Australia's military engagement by including Afghanistan sources countering heroic military narratives.