Media representation & Communication styles
Written by: Jumana Issa Alqasmi
1- Media representation of female world leaders:
Female leaders around the world, under the detailed observation of the media, they get judged not just by their qualifications and political capability but primarily by their looks and presentation in public.
Women in politics are often not in line with known female stereotypes, like being communal and responsible for the family. Instead female politicians are either displayed as career and power driven, selfish and cold or are presented in line with gender norms as soft and weak and their ability to make decisions is often questioned.
For example, Joyce Hilda Banda:
Malawian politician who was the President of Malawi from 7 April 2012 to 31 May 2014.
How Malawian media present Joyce Banda?
Criticism of Banda was very strong, criticized her by calling her a wannabe tyrant and a greedy politician who was just like most self-interested African leaders.
In her home country she was criticized as not being a serious politician, and that it appeared that Malawi was not ready for a female president. * Banda’s connection to the Cashgate affair that was regarded as the largest corruption scandal in Malawian history.
Banda was thus associated with what might called neopatrimonialism, a concept referring to a system using state resources for personal profits, and the management of official authority for private purposes.
She did not live up to the great expectations regarding Banda being the first woman president of Malawi.
In the context of gender, there were also straightforward critique by some Malawian women regarding Banda: as a woman she was seen to be too weak to aid the economy of Malawi. One author in the Malawian media contributors accused that being a woman in leadership position is not regarded as good as a male counterpart, thus women cannot lead the country.
The existing stereotypes concerning women’s inability to be in a leadership position were regarded as strong and truthful, accord.
How international media present Joyce Banda?
There often appeared references to her previous abusive marriage.
A fighter and a champion of women’s rights. She was hailed as a new kind of leader, or the face of a new Africa.
Described as Malawi’s Iron Lady, or Malawi’s Lady of Steel, and referring to her overall strength.
Represented as carrying a heavy load on behalf of other women.
Observations regarding her outward appearances and her dress sense.
In the context of motherhood, there were references to Banda’s strong grandmother, and Banda being motherly (having motherly looks), as well as being at the same time both a mother and a leader of her country.
2- How male world leaders use communication styles and techniques?
Nelson Mandela: He was not only a unique and inspiring world leader, he was also a consummate communicator:
Message Development: when reading or listening to a Mandela speech his message is consistently well constructed, audience appropriate and…consistent.
Expression: he was masterful at utilizing his facial muscles for emphasis whenever he spoke. His smile could light up any room, and served as a huge highlighter when delivering key lines.
Presence: carried himself like a man 20 years younger than his age. When speaking, it was clear he knew the power of nonverbal communication – he stood straight, shoulder’s back, no swaying, no rocking. He spoke with a measured cadence, and effectively utilized pausing to emphasize key points. Before he spoke, it was clear that a leader was on stage.
Rhetorical Devices: like legendary orators before him, Mandela artfully utilized rhetorical devices to support his messaging. Examples of devices include metaphor, anaphora, allusion and repetition.
Quotations: one of the greatest gifts that Mandela has left future orators is a treasure chest of powerful, impactful quotations to open or close a speech or presentation; or to utilize to support key messages.
Word Selection: clearly understood the power of words and language.
Barack Obama: A communication style that makes him a great orator:
He portrays an image of an highly confident and charismatic communication style while speaking when analysis is done on the baseline level. Along with this it also his personal power which increases his potential in a multifold manner. Being the president of the nation he holds a great deal of positional power and at the same time he is meant to listened to and to be liked by the audiences if his positional power is to be taken into reference. But this is not the case with his as the charm and persona carried by Barack Obama allows people to connect with him and listen to him and like him at the end of the communication process.
The sense of humor used by him for engaging people and to make them feel attentive and energized all the time. This is quite important being a communicator as this will not only break the monotony of the audiences as well as will maintain stability in their interest level as well. To mention here this is a great strength in his communication style that it acts as a ”hook” for the listeners. There is need to maintain the interest of the audiences and this increases the impact of the communication. Barack Obama holds a great strength making use of which he is capable to enhance the intensity of communication and this makes it comfortable for the speaker to be taken seriously.
Understanding of both 1 & 2:
Female leaders around the worlds are presented by media and the public eye not just with their political successes but more and more often with their outer appearances, superficialities, and private lives. On the other hand, the stereotypical male characteristics, like power-seeking, dominant, confident and combative, are better in line with political responsibilities and expectations, male politicians are often better represented by the media.
There are a number of communication styles and techniques that are particularly important for leaders, to reach their people or nation and achieve their goals.
https://jyx.jyu.fi/bitstream/handle/123456789/50323/1/URN%3ANBN%3Afi%3Ajyu-201606153087.pdf
discoholicmusic
pixelskylines
origamiaround
turnnoffyourmind
dailybridgerton