Media industries and ownership: who controls your consumption of news

The first thing I do when I wake up is turn off my alarm – which is on my mobile phone. Inevitably, there is then a swipe up to check out my notifications, and then a quick three to five second scroll through Instagram, until I move over to The Daily Aus Instagram account to catch up on the recent news, in a quick and accessible manner. It’s interesting how young people today tend to lean towards social media platforms when consuming news, rather than the traditional processes of television channels or newspaper companies, whether that be through physical or digital platforms.

I believe that this shift is significant, particularly when it comes to the people behind the production of news. Time and time again, it has been revealed the immense bias of the large newspaper companies, where almost all are directly regulated by media moguls. When I was younger and didn’t have quick or easy access to a mobile device or the internet, I accessed the news via television, and due to the influence of my parents this was most often The Seven Network. The Seven Network began with owning 14.9 per cent of West Australian Newspapers which became 22 per cent in 2014, “well over the defined controlling position of 15 per cent under the pre-2007 laws” (Cunningham 2014, p. 87). This example of a singular network, run by a dominant company, reveals the control media moguls have over the roll out of specific news, and how personal beliefs and values influence how articles are presented and worded. Additionally, in 2006 The Seven Network sold 50 per cent of their media assets to Kravis Kohlberg Roberts, demonstrating the power private equity arrangements hold over the roll out of news (Cunningham 2014, p. 86).

In contrast, the ease of use and more limited restrictions social media provides, means that it is easier for unfiltered news to be posted. Although, there can never be expression without at least a small amount of bias, the broader variety of accounts and freedom of choice allows audiences to consume the same news, from diverse perspectives. Additionally, I’ve found – without even realising – that I always glance at the comment section of news posts. The extensive range of different opinions allows for me to consider my own opinion on the news, especially when it comes to the slight bias in news reporting.

The Daily Aus is “completely independent”, “not owned by any larger media company”, and has “no connection to or backing from any political parties” (The Daily Aus 2023). Funding comes from commercial partnerships and audience donations, and the business claims “full editorial independence” with “no investor [having] the ability to control or influence [their] editorial content or policy” (2023).

“The Daily Aus aims to provide a foundation of knowledge on which our readers can build their own understanding of the world. To that end, we have a duty to ensure that our content is impartial according to the recognised standards of objective journalism. In accordance with the Australian Press Council’s General Principles, The Daily Aus ensures that factual material is presented with reasonable fairness and balance. We do not publish any opinion pieces.” (The Daily Aus 2023)

Having known this since I first engaged with the social media account, my personal values of unbiased and easily digestible news platforms means that I have trusted this as my main source when accessing the news.

References

Cunningham, S 2014, ‘Policy and regulation’, in S Cunningham & S Turnbull (eds), The Media

and Communications in Australia, 4th edn, Routledge, London, pp. 73-91.

2023, The Daily Aus, The Daily Aus Holdings Pty Ltd, viewed 27 March 2025

<https://thedailyaus.com.au/about-us>.