A book about newspapers and the power of the press to sway opinion. The main narrative voice is that of W.C., a hapless war correspondent, posted to Tasmania to cover the conflict between the Pakana people of Lutruwita and the British, from 1814 to 1856.
In old age, comforted by malt and his scruffy dog Bent, W.C. shares his press clippings of graphic accounts of the events that unfolded in the early days of the colony in Van Diemen's Land. He reveals his impassioned love for Lowana, a Pakana woman who haunts his dreams forever. W.C.'s perspective on these events is not without its biases. He tries to temper his feelings as he shares letters, articles and opinion pieces from his collection. He includes of his own postings, The Pakana Voice, in which he encourages his readers to see what is not being reported in the press.
According to the author, despite technology little has changed in two centuries of media and its influence over the minds of people, W.C.'s words still ring true: 'I fear the old adage that we learn from history is indeed a misnomer'.
Pages: 488
Published: 2019
Format: softcover |
