Media Ownership

The concentration of media ownership in Australia is a highly debated topic due to the potential negative impact it can have on democracy, freedom of the press, and the diversity of viewpoints in the media landscape (Curtis et al., 2006). There are several key issues at play, including limited diversity, political/ideological influence, digital disruption, and press freedom.

One of the main concerns is the limited diversity of media ownership, which can restrict the variety of perspectives and voices presented in the media. A few large companies, such as News Corp Australia, Nine Entertainment Co., and Seven West Media, dominate the market (Lidberg, 2019). This concentration of ownership can limit the range of views and perspectives in the media landscape as there are fewer independent voices and perspectives. This can lead to a situation where the owners of news outlets, rather than journalists, control the predominant ideology of society (Di Mauro & Li, 2009). Exposure to diverse viewpoints is necessary for ideal deliberative debate within mass culture. 

Media ownership also has significant political influence, as media outlets can shape public opinion and affect election results. Certain media outlets in Australia have faced criticism for their political leanings and their impact on the democratic process (Lidberg, 2019). For example, Daily Mail Australia, one of the largest media companies in Australia, has been accused of having a right-wing bias, with the company’s newspapers supporting conservative political parties and policies (Wilding et al., 2018). This has led to concerns about the impact of News Corp’s ownership on the quality and objectivity of journalism. Similarly, The Guardian has been accused of having a left-leaning bias, which also affects the way the news is reported. 

Democracy thrives in societies where political discussion frequently approaches deliberative ideals (Di Mauro & Li, 2009). If the owners of news outlets have a particular political or ideological agenda, they may pressure journalists to report news in a way that aligns with their ideology. This can lead to a bias and a lack of objectivity in the reporting of news, coined as ‘fake news’ (Munson S., Lee S., Resnick P., 2021). Furthermore, news outlets may avoid controversial topics if they fear backlash from their stakeholders or advertisers. This can limit the ability of journalists to report on important issues and hold those in power accountable. 

The rise of digital media has disrupted traditional media models, leading to a decline in revenue and the closure of many news outlets (Curtis S. et al., 2006). This has further concentrated media ownership in the hands of a few large companies that have been better able to adapt to the changing media landscape. While the Media Ownership Act of 2006 facilitated increased ownership across media platforms, producing independent public interest journalism that meaningfully holds power to account is time-consuming and expensive (Lidberg, 2019). 

Overall, media ownership in Australia is a complex issue with far-reaching implications for democracy, freedom of the press, and the diversity of viewpoints in the media landscape. Addressing these concerns will require a multi-faceted approach that promotes diversity, transparency, and accountability in media ownership and production.

Curtis S, Dwyler T, Wilding D, Wilson H (2006) “Too soon: The Government’s Media Ownsership Proposals.” Available At: https://journals-sagepub-com.ezproxy.uow.edu.au/doi/epdf/10.1177/1329878X0611900104

Di Mauro L, Li G (2009) “Regulating Cross Media Ownership: A Comparative Study between Australia and Italy.”  Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10453/10467

LIDBERG, J. (2019). “The distortion of the Australian public sphere: Media ownership concentration in Australia.” AQ: Australian Quarterly, 90(1), 12–20. Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/26563019

Munson S., Lee S., Resnick P., (2021) “Encouraging Reading of Diverse Political Viewpoints with a Browser Widget.” Available at: https://doi.org/10.1609/icwsm.v7i1.14429

Wilding, D., Fray, P., Molitorisz, S. & McKewon, E. (2018), The Impact of Digital Platforms on News and Journalistic Content, University of Technology Sydney, NSW. Available at: https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/ACCC+commissioned+report+-+The+impact+of+digital+platforms+on+news+and+journalistic+content,+Centre+for+Media+Transition+(2).pdf