Working With Cultural Differences

Representation of Cultural Differences

Discuss about the Working with Cultural Differences.

This paper intends to discuss how cultural diversity is manifested in the methods used by the media in passing information to the Australians. Most people perceive the world as it is revealed to them by their entrusted media platforms. The television is the main stream used by most people in the digital world to get information and also for entertainment purposes. This paper also highlights on how cultural diversity can be dealt with to bring people closer together and how commercial television has handled this issue. Also discussed are reasons why dealing with the issue of cultural differences has enabled more people to be heard in the non-commercial channels. In addition to ways by which the media outlets can help come up with plans to enhance working in the face of cultural diversity.

The media represents a vast range of cultures in the shows they air and, the global as well as the local news. Some of the various aspects that culture manifests itself include; the language spoken by the people, their traditions, clothing, food, and music (Spencer, 2014, pp. 67). The messages passed by the media might tend to either strengthen various cultural values while undermining others (Shohat, & Stam, 2014, pp.24). In Australia, four different cultural categories as grouped by the Australian Human Rights Commission have been used on screen. They are based on the historical immigration trends and include; Anglo-Celtic, European, non- European and natives (Fiske, Hodge, & Turner, 2016, pp.33). There were only two Australian actors, Aaron Pederson and Heath Bergerson, in 1999, in the Australian television. Currently, native actors make up 5% of all main roles on screen, with the natives making up 3% of the entire population.

These were the results of a survey conducted between 2011 and 2015 on all the 199 dramas watched on Australian television. The survey was referred to as Seeing ourselves and focused on approximately two thousand main characters with an aim to unveil their cultural differences according to their roles (Hallam, 2013, pp.56).The representation of other culturally different groups, for example, those from the non-Anglo Celtic background and the LGBTQ society, by the media has been lagging behind. Being that 32% of Australians are not from the Anglo-Celtic cultural origin, research showed that of all characters on screen, only 18% of them had a non-Anglo Celtic origin. On the representation of different sexualities, 5% of the characters on TV are homosexual.

Ways to uphold dominant discourse and disempower differences

Transgender and hermaphroditic characters cover a small percentage and sometimes are non-existent. The television shows created for children tend to be more heterogeneous as 50%, and above of all the main characters are of non-European origin. The kid actors that also take up these roles are not European thereby bringing out more visible diversity as well as teaching how to embrace other cultures from a tender age.Television shows such as Maximum Choppage and Jonah from Tonga were found to uphold a lot of diversity as together they summed up to a third of all non-European actors among all 51 comedy movies counted.

The verbal, scribbled and behavioral anticipation shared among people of the same culture is known as the dominant discourse. The integration of the dynamic cultures present in Australia will enable the people to understand each other thereby, live as one (Falicov, 2015, pp.45). Integration entails the dominant culture being influenced by the other cultures seen as minorities thereby, coming up with a culture that is modified but still accommodates each culture individually. For example, like the government did in 1966. Whereby, the White Australia Policy that limited the movement of the non-Europeans was terminated by permitting the admission of competent Asians (Newman, 2017, pp.52). The policy was ended to create a productive, peaceful and united community.

In the past, Australia commercial televisions have portrayed limited cultural diversity presentation. However, recently, they have embraced the diverse cultures by employing newsreaders of Greek origins who are constantly on air reporting news and also, a famous show Neighbours added an Indian Family into their characters in 2011. The media can tackle cultural differences and appeal to every culture through recognition and respect of each cultural identity. Following the diversity of the Australian occupants, the programs aired should uphold the dignity of the different people’s cultural practices. Also, the use of understandable language or subtitles in the translation of the television drama programs will go a long way in ensuring different people feel recognized as Australia as a vast array of languages spoken. Australians will find common ground when they meet and talk about a program that they all watch even if it’s in different languages.

Australia has three non-commercial television channels, namely, SBS, ABC and, NITV. The availability of these media outlets guarantees coverage of more places across the country. From its formation, SBS has been known to provide a platform for many voices belonging to people of diverse cultures to be heard thereby creating one nation (Syed, 2014, pp.34). Some of these stories told would otherwise remain untold, and some places featured remain undiscovered (Syed, 2014, pp.23).The involvement of different people to their local television gives them a sense of belonging thereby creating confidence in the information they receive from the channel and also building a society that does not discriminate (Sabharwal, 2014, pp.32). Australians believe these televisions provide rare, diverse, innovative, and quality news on emerging trends.

Inclusiveness of Cultural Differences ensure more voices are heard

When people feel accepted despite the differences in their cultural practices, they are able to participate in nation building activities. For the people who lead unique lifestyles such as transgender, and the LGBTQ community, they can come out and share their views on various subjects without feeling threatened or judged.

Media’s role in development of strategies to promote working with cultural differences

SBS, ABC, and NITV are the main national broadcasting televisions in Australia. As many people depend on the media for enlightenment, it plays a critical role in coming up with strategies to enhance working together harmoniously regardless of the differences in cultural beliefs. Some of the strategies the media can adopt include development of trust (Hook, Davis, Owen, & DeBlaere, 2017, pp.43). The media needs to create confidence in its audience, so they don’t hold back information on instances of interviews. Secondly, use of communication channels that are open, free and respectful (Moran,Abramson, & Moran, 2014, pp.21). Example, if a reporter from Anglo-Celtic background wants to interview an indigenous Australian, the questions for the questionnaire should not be demeaning for the interviewer. The interviewer’s cultural behavior should not be undermined.

Thirdly, the media should encourage the public to participate in a two-way conversation where ideas are shared and those that are disagreed upon, are done so in a healthy manner. For example, in a working environment a heterosexual employee with a homosexual colleague, should not impose his or her believes about proper lifestyle just because they disagree with it. Also, the media can mobilize the people to treat each other how they would also love to be treated. Following that work places are full of people from diverse backgrounds, workmates should respect the boundaries set by their colleagues. For instance, different cultures perceive gestures such as a handshake and hugging differently. Therefore, understanding each person’s perception is important to avoid being misunderstood.

As the media covers many stories, it can also focus on cultural celebrations of various people and air them to the non-attending communities (Gripsrud, 2017, pp.39). People will get educated on practices such as, the food eaten by their fellow countrymen, the music they listen to,the language they speak and they may also decide to get involved if they have workmates who practice the same (Liggett, 2014, pp,67). The media can create a culture to ask questions of what a person is or not comfortable with before doing the act. For example, while dealing with a client, the service provider can enquire things such as, how the client’s name is pronounced or the proper way to greet them. During community visits on official business, workers need to be mindful of the clothes they wear depending on the culture of the place they are going to. Some communities also have strict perception of maintaining direct eye contact since its perceived as a sign of respect.

Conclusion

Australia is a home to many people most who are immigrants, therefore, cultural diversity in that country is on the rise. With the commercial television such as channel 7 and 9, and also the non-commercial broadcasting channels such as SBS, different cultures are portrayed on screen both in the shows aired and the news covered. Culture is evident through aspects such as food eaten by a certain group of people, the language they speak and the clothes they wear. Culture comprises of ways of living that have been embraced traditionally. The media plays a very important role in educating people on the different cultures, and it also accepts cultural diversity by employing people from various backgrounds. For any established business, or start-up to thrive, it needs employees that are working together harmoniously. To do this, employees need to beware of their colleague’s cultural practices to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.

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