Subverting the Marxist paradigm: Vaccination discourse in New Zealand's mainstream and alternative online media

Type of content
Journal Article
Thesis discipline
Degree name
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
en
Date
2012
Authors
Kenix, Linda Jean
Abstract

New Zealand ranks 33rd out of 35 developed countries for rate of immunizations. The low rate of immunizations in New Zealand could be attributed to many factors, however, the information in available and accessible media must also be considered as a potential barrier to vaccination. This study examines the mediated discourse in a sample of New Zealand’s alternative and mainstream online media within the framework of Marxist ideology. The praxis and theory of Marxism within the production of alternative media, much like vaccination campaigns, depends upon egalitarian, community-minded ideals. One might expect to find a Marxist ideology throughout pro-vaccination discourse and within alternative media, which have been found to depend upon these same egalitarian ideologies. While Marxist thought depends heavily on communal belief systems, it also serves as a framework to denounce corporate power. This research will examine whether the organizational norms and practices of an institution might be circumvented when the possibility of denouncing a core oppositional ideology, such as anti-corporatism, arises. In doing so, this research will explore the occasional conflicting nexus between the ideology of an issue and the ideology of a medium.

Description
Citation
Kenix LJ (2012). Subverting the Marxist paradigm: Vaccination discourse in New Zealand's mainstream and alternative online media. Journal of International Communication. 18(1). 79-96.
Keywords
alternative media, blogs, democracy, Marxism, vaccinations
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
44 - Human society::4410 - Sociology::441011 - Sociology of health
47 - Language, communication and culture::4701 - Communication and media studies::470107 - Media studies
44 - Human society::4408 - Political science::440809 - New Zealand government and politics
47 - Language, communication and culture::4702 - Cultural studies::470214 - Screen and media culture
44 - Human society::4408 - Political science::440811 - Political theory and political philosophy
Rights
All rights reserved unless otherwise stated