Frontline the Siege and We Aint Got Dames Analysis

The Siege focuses on a gunman holding his children hostage over a custody battle. Panic sets in when the Frontline team learns of the siege and the entire team’s priority becomes this news story. Emma, the able journalist finds the phone number of the farmhouse and ties up the phone line, Marty is attempting to sensationalise the rather “dull” footage, and Mike is running late wanting to know whether he can pick up Macdonalds on the way to work.

Mikes unawareness of the importance of the situation and its danger is exaggerated to inform the viewer that often there is a lack of professionalism within Current affairs programs, as the presenter, Mike, is merely a voice to the program.

This lack of professionalism is often concealed by an impression of intellectual authority. This falsehood is created by simple techniques cleverly framed on camera. “We have got a psychology student…well he is mature aged and has got a beard” says Kate, Brian replies-“Ok, well slap him in front of a bookcase”. In this case the bookcase is used to create an image of a knowledgeable and credible expert; generally the bookcase background is associated with interviews with people such as professors, doctors and politicians.

The team is willing to go to any lengths to manipulate the truth to achieve the most sensational story. Martin crouches in front of the house to create a fake impression of danger “Crouching, because it makes me look like I’m in danger”, his cameraman replies with “Mate the gunman is 5km away”. Martin replies with “Shut up its dark, no ones going to know” clearly shows the manipulation of truth to create a more interesting story. When Mike concludes his live feed from Martin he finishes with “Martin Di Stazio, Live from the line of fire” a term generally associated with soldiers under attack in war, thereby creating a false, and totally fabricated context.

The questioning of morality of Frontline’s activities by a radio interviewer and the Police Commisioner are swept aside by impressive ratings. Mike even asks Brian “You don’t think we went too far with those kids”, Mike replies, “We have struck the jackpot”.

The Siege clearly satirises the disregard for research, morality and authenticity within current affairs programs.

The primary focus of the episode We Ain’t Got Dames is the drive to win a greater female audience. The episode highlights to the viewer the true aims behind a current affair programs. That is to increase ratings, in this case it is by tempting women back to the show, there is however no real concern to truly cater to female viewers. The team is offered suggestions from market research. The episode also sheds light on the continuous lack of honesty and authenticity, which receives such little criticism within the show that it is normal.

To lure back female viewers Brian calls upon Barb, a Market Research Advisor to provide the crew with strategies to entice female viewers. ‘Most female viewers are not interested in politics’, Mike finds the push to “dumb down” items as sexist but blithely asks the frivolous questions to a frustrated Cheryl Kernot. There is a real emphasis on the lack of genuine