In early 2014, when Khalifa Niasse landed in Australia for a semester at NYU Sydney, he probably foresaw sunshine, surfing and sightseeing. He probably foresaw a bit of study too. But he probably didn’t foresee an appearance on live TV, in which he would have the chance to interrogate one of the nation’s pre-eminent politicians before a potential audience of 1 million viewers.
Each semester, the Global Media students at NYU Sydney go on a field trip to the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) to be in the studio audience of Q&A, a popular panel show that bills itself as a form of democracy in action. Hosted by journalist Tony Jones, the program invites its audience members to ask questions of panelists including politicians, academics, artists and musicians. And in February, on live TV, Niasse asked Jamie Briggs – Australia’s assistant minister for infrastructure and regional development – about whether the government planned to cut taxes, and how that might affect jobs growth. A good question, as revealed by the fact that the answer wasn’t nearly as interesting as the query.
The Q&A field trip is often listed as a highlight by students – even those who don’t get to ask a question. As part of a studio audience, students get to see the inner workings of one of Australia’s biggest media networks: the ABC, a government broadcaster in the mould of the UK’s BBC that operates radio stations and TV stations and has an ever-expanding online presence. They also get to see a bunch of well-known figures, including international guests such as Bill Gates and Bill Clinton, having to answer questions without notice. For the Fall 2014 Global Media students, the Q&A field trip happens on September 22, and by complete coincidence Jamie Briggs had been booked to be on the panel again. He had been due to return for a session dedicated to the topic of Liveable Cities, alongside Elizabeth Farrelly, a onetime colleague of lecturer Sacha Molitorisz.
However, at late notice, following the anti-terrorist raids in Sydney and Brisbane on Thursday, September 18, a new panel is hastily being assembled to discuss terrorism and the Middle East. Whoever the panellists turn out to be, it should be a stimulating discussion, of equal relevance for Americans and Australians, given the shared involvement in these issues. Afterwards, let’s see if these NYU Sydney students echo previous attendees, who often say upon attending, “America needs a show like this”, before adding, “American politicians would never go on a show like this.” And let’s see if another NYU Sydney student has the chance to ask a question on live TV – and in the process perhaps prompt a solution for the turmoil in the Middle East.