Annotated Bibliography

Journalism is a form of professional communication used to investigate and report to a broad audience on events, issues and trends. The following annotated bibliographies will explore the present news stories surrounding the Inpex Project in Darwin, Australia. Various mediums such as television, online, magazine and academic articles are used to convey similar and contrasting opinions on the project in order to build credibility and critically engage to a wider audience.

Source 1:

Coggan, M., (2012). Inpex under fire over carbon offset scheme. ABC News Online. Retrieved on May 18 from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-13/130112-inpex-announcement/3770578

The ABC Online news article was published by Michael Coggan, the lead anchor for the ABC News in the NT, and discusses a new gas scheme by Japanese company Inpex, to proceed with the planned $33 billion project in Darwin. It outlines growing concerns for increased emissions in the NT by 30 per cent, with the project expected to generate 280 million tonnes of emissions over 40 years. Stuart Blanch, from the Environment Centre Northern Territory, comments that “The Inpex project is Australia’s most polluting greenhouse gas project ever envisaged.” This claim made by Blanch contrasts greatly to the Australian Property Investors (API) Magazine, which comments the project will “contribute significantly to the growth of the Australian economy.” These controversial statements can be questioned, as being the most polluting project in Australia will provide great risk to the economy after increased emission payments, rather then stimulating it. ABC has over 2.26 million pages of online content and is credited by 85% of Australian’s stating that ABC content is not bias. API Magazine specialises in property investment and management, and is not a credible news site. Therefore, the public would be more likely to agree with ABC’s view on the project rather then API’s.

Source 2:

Inpex approval (2012). Australian Property Investors (API) Magazine. Retrieved on May 18 from http://www.apimagazine.com.au/api-online/news/2012/01/inpex-approval-puts-gas-back-into-darwins-property-market

The Australian Property Investors (API) Magazine article, discusses Inpex’s approved project to be undertaken in Darwin. The article outlines that the new project will be the turning point for Darwin’s struggling market, with an estimated 3,000 temporary jobs and 700 permanent jobs being secured for residents. This statement can be verified as it coincides with source four’s article, which discusses the same figures. Quentin Killian from the Real Estate Institute NT comments that “It’s not the fix all to economic problems having Inpex here, but it’s certainly a great start.” Mr Killian continues to discuss new job opportunities and increasing house prices that Inpex will provide. This statement concurs with SBS’s report, where Mr Henderson states that the project will provide 20% of the NT’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, these reports contrast greatly to Mr Blanch’s comments from ABC online, stating, “The Inpex project is Australia’s most polluting greenhouse gas project ever envisaged.” These statements are controversial, as being the most polluting project in Australia will provide great risk to the economy after increased emission payments, rather then stimulating it. Although API magazine, with no author stated in the article, can be defined as an unreliable source, its contents relate to SBS’s report. As SBS and ABC are both unbiased and reliable sources, it is questionable with angle of the story is most credible.

Source 3:

Inpex Project approval (2012). SBS Online Report. Retrieved on 18 May from http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1651495/PM-talks-positive-amid-global-market-rout

The SBS Television Report discusses the expected change the Inpex project will have on the north forever. James Glinday reports that it is said to be the second biggest investment in a single project in the history of Australia. Chief Minister, Paul Henderson, comments, “We’ve made it. And what a long journey this has been.” As well as strengthening diplomatic ties, Mr Henderson believes that the project will provide 20% of the NT’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This statement coincides with API’s article, commenting, “It’s not the fix all to economic problems having Inpex here, but it’s certainly a great start.” However, Stuart Blanch from the Environment Centre of NT and ABC online, argues his concerns of environmental damage the project will have on Darwin, commenting, “I don’t think anyone wants to see dead dolphins floating in Darwin Harbour.” This claim made by Blanch contrasts greatly to the Australian Property Investors (API) Magazine, which comments that the project will “contribute significantly to the growth of the Australian economy.” These statements are controversial, as being the most polluting project in Australia will provide great risk to the economy after increased emission payments, instead of stimulating it. SBS code of practice involves accuracy, impartiality and balance of information, whereas API Magazine specializes in property investment and management, and is not a credible news site. Additionally, SBS information coincides with ABC, one of the most reliable news sources in Australia. Therefore, the public would be more likely to agree with SBS’s view on the project rather then API’s.

Source 4: (Academic)

StJohn, J. (2010) Inpex Gas Field Development Project. The Wilderness Society WA. Retrieved on May 18 from http://www.inpex.com.au/media/26172/c075-ipx-ipx-le-0001_106_100910_jill%20stjohn,%20wilderness%20soci.pdf

Source 4 discusses the background information of the Inpex project, as well as potential impacts the scheme will have on pipelines, threatened species; greenhouse gas emissions and the lack of oil spill contingency plans. These threats can disrupt and greatly affect Darwin and its surrounding environment and wellbeing. This article can be verified as Jill StJohn, Western Australia’s Marine Co-coordinator and member of the Wilderness Society WA, signed the formal academic article. Through her qualifications, it is clear that this source is reliable and has credibility, as Ms StJohn is a professional in the environmental and marine area. This article can also be compared to source one, which discusses concerns of environmental damage the project may have on Darwin. In particular, Stuart Blanch, from the Environment Centre Northern Territory and ABC online, comments, “The Inpex project is Australia’s most polluting greenhouse gas project ever envisaged.” However, Chief Minister Paul Henderson, from an SBS report, believes that the project will provide 20% of the NT’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This statement coincides with API’s article, commenting, “It’s not the fix all to economic problems having Inpex here, but it’s certainly a great start.” Although API is not a credited news site, SBS strives on accuracy, impartiality and balance of information. ABC is a very reliable source, as is this academic article, which leaves questions as to which news story is most reliable and unbiased.