While concerns persist about internal influence on the newsroom, the strong position of media proprietors conversely protects their media companies from external influence. Throughout Australia’s history, rather than any influence of politics on the media, it is the influence of media owners and editors on politics which has been evidenced (Griffen-Foley, 2003; Josephi, 2011). “As the editor I make the final decision on editorial matters […]. We have strict rules around editorial independence”, said an editor in a university-sponsored news organisation.
However, advertisers also have shown a clear ability to exert influence over media outlets, including when an advertiser (brand) wishes to dissociate itself from a particular show or media celebrity (and controversial comments or opinions). According to a columnist, “Advertisers attempt to intervene from time to time. Occasionally there are boycotts”. This has generally been viewed as a positive sanction against, for example, the harmful speech of radio shock jocks (Hayes, 2019).
