Refugees and the Media

A Visual Essay & Report for BCM222 Final Assessment

Report:

What exactly does it mean to be a refugee? After researching the topic with relation to the media, one may find that it comes down to humanity. Thus, the above visual essay focuses on encapsulating that through its evoking of emotion, information and its media selection. “It starts with you.” is an effort to make a viewer realise their attitudes and notions towards refugees have a major impact on the rights and futures of refugees offshore of Australia. When legislation passes, it is assumed and hoped that our political figures represent a majority viewpoint of Australian society. Thus, education on refugee matters is one of the most effective ways we can help, being informed on an issue allows an individual to then move forward in advocacy and take a form of action. The visual essay’s goal was to humanise refugees, highlighting the plight of asylum seeking individuals through a selection of royalty free visual media.

So what exactly should an Australian know about this issue and how can the media help to create a more just outcome? Australia's asylum seeker policy is all about keeping unauthorised boat arrivals away. They send people who arrive by boat to detention centres in Nauru and Papua New Guinea's Manus Island, hoping it'll scare others off and prevent that dreaded increase in deaths at sea.

The problem is, these asylum seekers end up stuck in detention for ages. They're held in remote places under tough conditions, sometimes indefinitely. It's not surprising that human rights groups have slammed Australia for this approach, especially when it comes to women and kids who are stuck in the middle. When we look at other Western countries, Australia's policy is pretty tough in comparison. Canada and the United States, for example, have perhaps more humane alternatives like supervised release and community-based support while asylum claims are processed. They focus on helping citizens integrate into society instead of rushing into locking them up (Minns, 2017). Australia's offshore processing and mandatory detention have caused a lot of international fuss and raised concerns about human rights abuses and the long-term impact on asylum seekers' well-being. Australia's refugee policy has been a topic of contention and critique, both within the country and on the global stage. The government's approach, characterised by offshore processing and mandatory detention, has raised concerns about human rights and the treatment of vulnerable individuals seeking refuge. Since Australia re-established offshore processing on Manus Island and Nauru in 2012, there have been ongoing reports that asylum seekers and refugees are being subjected to torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (Barnes, 2021).

The policy's emphasis on deterrence and border protection often overshadows the humanitarian aspect of the refugee crisis. Asylum seekers, who have fled persecution and violence, find themselves trapped in a system that prolongs their suffering. It is within these four walls that mental health rapidly deteriorates. When you drive someone crazy for years, can you really expect them to integrate successfully into Australian society if they are eventually given the chance? They are placed in remote detention centres, often for indefinite periods, only exacerbating their already traumatic experiences. Politicians like Jackie Lambie argue that Australia should shift its focus to a more compassionate and empathetic approach. By providing fair and efficient processing of asylum claims and investing in resources to support their integration, Australia can uphold its international obligations and demonstrate solidarity with those in need. Furthermore, collaborating with neighbouring countries and international organisations can lead to the development of comprehensive regional solutions. Addressing the root causes of displacement and investing in humanitarian aid can help prevent the need for dangerous journeys and provide long-term stability for those affected.

The Australian government has implemented a strict immigration policy known as the "Pacific Solution" to deter and manage asylum seekers arriving by boat. Human rights organisations, as well as the United Nations, have raised concerns about the conditions in these offshore processing centers, including inadequate medical care, reports of physical and sexual abuse, and prolonged detention. In response to these claims, the Australian government has defended its policies, stating that they are necessary to deter people smugglers and prevent deaths at sea. They have argued that by discouraging dangerous boat journeys, they are ultimately saving lives. The government has maintained that the offshore processing centres comply with international obligations and standards, and that they are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the individuals in their care. But are these just the words of a government that would prefer to just push refugees to the side, rather than be proactive in finding humane solutions for them?

According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs, in the fiscal year of 2019-2020, there were approximately 18,365 asylum applications lodged in Australia. While this number represents a decrease compared to previous years - 24,000 in 2016-2017 - it is crucial to consider the diverse range of nationalities among these applicants. The top countries of origin for asylum seekers during this period included Iran, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. With 2022’s war in Ukraine, there is likely to be an influx of refugees originating from Europe globally, and it is evident that Australia is not nearly equipped for this potential upcoming reality.

Academic studies argue that Australia should be taking better care of refugees and asylum seekers. For instance, a study by Crock, Saul, and Dastyari (2017) emphasises the importance of adhering to international human rights standards and principles, highlighting that Australia's policies, such as offshore processing and mandatory detention, have resulted in significant harm and violations of human rights. It is contended that a more humane approach, focusing on community-based alternatives and providing access to legal and social support, is not only morally justified but also more effective in addressing the needs of refugees and facilitating their successful integration into Australian society. It is also worth noting that allowing asylum seeking individuals an opportunity to settle in Australia could greatly benefit the economy. With the current cost of living crisis, inflation at an all time high, businesses struggling; there are potential benefits to putting forward more workers in industry and helping to get money moving around again. By prioritising the mental and physical well-being of refugees, ensuring timely and fair processing of claims, and implementing comprehensive support mechanisms, Australia can uphold its obligations under international law and contribute positively to the lives of those seeking refuge within its borders, improving its global reputation and experiencing more diverse, culturally healthy communities across the country.

"By subjecting asylum seekers to prolonged detention and offshore processing, Australia's approach undermines its international human rights obligations and fails to acknowledge the vulnerabilities and rights of individuals seeking asylum." (Barnes, 2022)

Through this research, it is clearly essential for Australia to reevaluate its refugee policy with a balanced perspective. This can be achieved by striking a fair and humane balance between border security and the protection of human rights, Australia could easily regain its tarnished reputation as a compassionate and inclusive nation. Such a shift in policy would not only benefit asylum seekers but also strengthen Australia's standing as a global advocate for justice and equality, therefore giving Australia a stronger leg to stand on when it inevitably condemns another country, erasing hypocrisy and then improving relationships with foreign nations to support our economy and keep peace.

Reflecting,

Through this assessment, I gained invaluable insights into the influential nature of media and its capacity to shape individuals' perspectives. Exploring visual responses to images, I discovered the profound impact it can have on altering people's beliefs. This experience has highlighted the immense power wielded by the media in shaping public opinion and fostering societal change. I am grateful for the opportunity to have delved into this realm and witnessed firsthand the potential of visual communication. With this knowledge, I am now better equipped to navigate and contribute to this landscape of media and its transformative potential influences on our society as a whole. This project has heightened my awareness of the plight of refugees and inspired me to create a compelling visual essay and report. My aim is to provoke contemplation among viewers and ignite action and protest, amplifying the urgency of addressing the inhumane treatment faced by refugees. Visual communication holds immense significance in comparison to verbal or written forms. It transcends language barriers, engages emotions, and enhances comprehension with an easily digestible message.

Through visual communication’s power to convey complex ideas quickly and intuitively I feel I now have a better understanding of what it means to be a media professional and can move forward in my studies with a heightened ability to put forward messages and communicate with an audience. My intention is to evoke deep emotions and provoke a profound sense of empathy in the audience, leaving them moved and inspired to take action towards positive change, I want to humble those of us who have become a little too comfortable in their ignorance, and remind them that they have many things in common with an imprisoned refugee who currently sits hungry and depressed in a cell on Nauru.

REFERENCE LIST:

Barnes, J., 2022. Suffering to save lives: Torture, cruelty, and moral disengagement in Australia’s offshore detention centres. Journal of Refugee Studies, 35(4), pp.1508-1529.

Hathaway, J.C., 2007. Why refugee law still matters. Melb. J. Int'l L., 8, p.89.

Vrachnas, J., Bagaric, M., Dimopoulos, P. and Pathinayake, A., 2011. Migration and refugee law: Principles and practice in Australia. Cambridge University Press.

Hamlin, R., 2012. International law and administrative insulation: a comparison of refugee status determination regimes in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Law & Social Inquiry, 37(4), pp.933-968.

Murphy, A., Fuhr, D., Roberts, B., Jarvis, C.I., Tarasenko, A. and McKee, M., 2022. The health needs of refugees from Ukraine. bmj, 377.

​Marchese, V., Formenti, B., Cocco, N., Russo, G., Testa, J., Castelli, F. and Mazzetti, M., 2022. Examining the pre-war health burden of Ukraine for prioritisation by European countries receiving Ukrainian refugees. The Lancet Regional Health–Europe, 15.

Betts, K., & Jones, M. P. (2018). The Failure of Refugee Integration: A Challenge to Australia's Multiculturalism. Journal of Intercultural Studies, 39(5), 543-561.

Crock, M., Saul, B., & Dastyari, A. (Eds.). (2017). Contemporary Australian Refugee Policy: Critical Perspectives. ANU Press.

McAdam, J. (2017). Complementary Protection in Australian Law. In The Global Reach of European Refugee Law (pp. 303-327). Cambridge University Press.

Burvill, T., 2008. ‘Politics begins as ethics’: Levinasian ethics and Australian performance concerning refugees. Research in Drama Education, 13(2), pp.233-243.

Graf, S., Rubin, M., Assilamehou‐Kunz, Y., Bianchi, M., Carnaghi, A., Fasoli, F., Finell, E., Gustafsson Sendén, M., Shamloo, S.E., Tocik, J. and Lacko, D., 2023. Migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees: Different labels for immigrants influence attitudes through perceived benefits in nine countries. European Journal of Social Psychology.

Mwanri, L., Miller, E., Walsh, M., Baak, M. and Ziersch, A., 2023. Social Capital and Rural Health for Refugee Communities in Australia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), p.2378.