University of Queensland research is discovering the power of the media in South-East Asia.
Dr Jonathan Woodier, who recently completed his PhD with UQ’s School of Political Science and International Studies, said despite a perception of an increased openness in some Asian countries, authoritarian states are still aided by the mass media, rather than challenged by it.
“There is an increased flow of information and entertainment products into South-East Asia and pressures for change in the region are apparent, particularly those driven by external influence and dominated by Western values and ideas,” Dr Woodier said.
“But with closer scrutiny, it is clear that the liberal contention that the media, and the globalised media in particular, has a liberalising effect is not as clear as it once seemed.”
He said Singapore was a prime example of this where local elites have been able to face the challenge of globalised media influencing their hold on power.
“The longevity of the successful, media-controlled modern state as modelled by Singapore, in particular, holds out an example to offer hope to all authoritarian regimes,” he said.
“China, and many other states in Asia, look to Singapore in particular, as they have increasingly followed a sophisticated media strategy, using the techniques espoused by public relations experts to ensure they communicate effectively in an increasingly complicated media environment.”
He said with increased global attention on China with the coming Olympic Games it had been fascinating the see how the country’s ruling politicians were dealing with the increased scrutiny.
“China's global impact and its internal politics, particularly as the Olympics approaches, have highlighted the conflict that occurs as media and entertainment products flood across porous national borders,” he said.
Dr Woodier began his thesis while Media Director for Citibank Asia and he is currently based in London as the Director of Media for Citibank Europe.
Dr Woodier said he chose to do his doctorate with UQ’s School of Political Science and International Studies due to the University’s reputation.
“I was familiar with the University and its leadership in Asia Pacific research as well as the media, from my time living in the region,” Dr Woodier said.
“But the main reason was my supervisor David Martin Jones, who is a leading academic in the field of political change in South-East Asia.”
Dr Woodier worked in the Asia Pacific region as a writer and journalist from 1985 based at various times in Hong Kong, Sydney and Singapore, where he was involved in all areas of the mass media – print, broadcast and the internet – until joining DBS, Singapore’s largest bank, in 2000.
He joined Citi EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), the world’s largest financial services company, in May 2005 as Deputy Director of Corporate Affairs.
In December 2006, he was also appointed as the region's Director of Country Corporate Affairs overseeing the communications function in Citi’s 53 EMEA countries and, in December 2007, added the role of Director Corporate Communications EMEA Global Consumer Group.
Before moving to Europe, he headed Citi’s Consumer Bank Corporate Affairs operation in Asia Pacific for two and a half years, prior to which he was Director of Regional Media Relations with Singapore’s DBS Bank.
He lives in London with his wife Dina and their son Benjamin.
Dr Woodier’s thesis has been accepted to be published by leading academic publishing house Edward Elgar.
Media: Dr Jonathan Woodier (+44 20 75005434, jonathan.woodier@citi.com) or Andrew Dunne at UQ Communications (07 3365 2802 or 0433 364 181). Dr Woodier is based in London, which is nine hours behind Brisbane time.
