Governmentality, blurred boundaries, and pleasure in the docusoap Border Security

Abstract

The Seven Network's Border Security: Australia's Front Line has been the highest rating TV program in its season for each of the last five years in Australia. The program examines the daily work of the Australian customs, immigration, and quarantine services using the threaded structure common to the ‘docusoap’ format, as, in each episode, the nation is defended from threats posed by ‘drug runners, illegal immigrants, potential terrorists, harmful pests and disease’. Located at airports, coastal waters and mailing centres the action in each episode revolves around the detection and apprehension of individuals whose actions are constructed as threats to the well-being of the nation. This article argues that the series operates in a liminal space between documentary and public relations to present in a positive light the work of border protection agencies and engage the travelling citizen in the work of border protection and risk management. In doing so the program serves as an agent of governmentality.

Notes

1. In 2007, for example, it rated first or second each week from 28 May (the second week of its first-run season) to 2 July, then first each week to 17 September, when its first-run season ended.

2. One feature of the program is an apparent pattern in the representation of the travellers being questioned by customs and immigration officers: they seem predominantly to come from parts of the world outside of Europe and America. However, a content analysis is needed to provide the systematic data for this apparent pattern.