"Good Australians Will Respond": Transforming the Work Ethic in Popular Media, 1941–1945. Issue 1 (2nd January 2023)
- Record Type:
- Journal Article
- Title:
- "Good Australians Will Respond": Transforming the Work Ethic in Popular Media, 1941–1945. Issue 1 (2nd January 2023)
- Main Title:
- "Good Australians Will Respond": Transforming the Work Ethic in Popular Media, 1941–1945
- Authors:
- Coatney, Caryn
- Abstract:
- ABSTRACT: Media images of heroic, hard-working Australian achievers have often accompanied stories about an upbeat national work ethic to boost public morale in times of massive upheavals and crisis. The concept of an Australian work ethic has not been a natural creation, but it has been actively developed in the media. This article reveals a turning point in the media portrayal of the crucial area of work that helped cultivate diverse expressions of Australia's image. The article focuses on the era of momentous disruption in World War II that led to an unprecedented idealisation of workers and changed the traditional roles of the prime minister, journalists and the public. Wartime prime minister John Curtin became an egalitarian partner and a collaborator with media teams. Journalists created increasingly inclusive media experiences to encourage the public to identify with the fashionable new ethos of working-class thrift. Wartime citizens enthusiastically contributed to the varied media expressions of collective work ethics, overturning the traditional notion of a passive public sphere. Using the concept of the emotional public sphere, this article provides a rare perspective on the media's role in shaping and extending popular attitudes towards Australian workers, collective service and inclusive communities.
- Is Part Of:
- Journal of Australian studies. Volume 47:Issue 1(2023)
- Journal:
- Journal of Australian studies
- Issue:
- Volume 47:Issue 1(2023)
- Issue Display:
- Volume 47, Issue 1 (2023)
- Year:
- 2023
- Volume:
- 47
- Issue:
- 1
- Issue Sort Value:
- 2023-0047-0001-0000
- Page Start:
- 128
- Page End:
- 141
- Publication Date:
- 2023-01-02
- Subjects:
- Australia -- John Curtin -- journalism -- the media -- work ethic -- World War II
Australia -- Civilization -- Periodicals
Australia -- Intellectual life -- Periodicals
994.005 - Journal URLs:
- http://search.epnet.com/direct.asp?db=anh&jid=3J2&scope=site ↗
http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/14443058.asp ↗
http://www.tandfonline.com/ ↗ - DOI:
- 10.1080/14443058.2022.2135573 ↗
- Languages:
- English
- ISSNs:
- 1444-3058
- Deposit Type:
- Legaldeposit
- View Content:
- Available online (eLD content is only available in our Reading Rooms) ↗
- Physical Locations:
- British Library DSC - 4949.510000
British Library DSC - BLDSS-3PM
British Library HMNTS - ELD Digital store - Ingest File:
- 26121.xml