A Short History of the Australian Media - Bridget Griffen-Foley

Beginnings of Australian Media

• In 1883, Richard Twopeny referred to Australia as the "land of newspapers."

• The first newspaper was the Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, launched by George Howe in 1803.

• The Sydney Morning Herald became a daily newspaper by 1842.

• Australia’s first Indigenous newspaper: Flinders Island Chronicle (1836–38).

• Newspapers thrived in a society with free education and were driven by printers, journalists, and politicians.

Growth and Diversity of Newspapers

• Newspapers varied in frequency, size, market, language, political inclination, and support for trade policies.

• They played a vital role in promoting creative writing due to limited local publishing options.

• Established Angus & Robertson in 1886 but most local books came from British publishers.

Developments in the Late 19th and Early 20th Century

• The Bulletin (1880-2008) gained popularity, leveraging artistic artwork and appealing to the lower middle class.

• Evolution of printing technology allowed for more pictorial content and advertising innovation.

• The Overland Telegraph Line (opened in 1872) facilitated news transmission, leading to increased professionalism in the newspaper industry.

World War I Impact and Competition

• World War I boosted the advertising industry with a focus on recruitment.

• Post-war, the competition among newspapers peaked in 1923, yet many collapsed during the Great Depression.

• Economies of scale pushed established houses to publish multiple newspapers and magazines.

The Rise of Media Dynasties

• Keith Murdoch capitalized on the newspaper market, building a national media chain.

• Robert Clyde Packer acquired control of several significant newspapers post-war.

• Frank Packer launched the Australian Women’s Weekly, integrating news and women’s magazine features.

Women's Publications and Changing Landscape

• The Australian Woman’s Budget (1906) was Australia’s first weekly magazine for women.

• The Weekly financed Packer’s entry into daily newspaper publishing and led to the establishment of Australian Consolidated Press (ACP).

• Competition pressured traditional papers like the Sydney Morning Herald to modernize.

Competition and Cultural Impact in Interwar Years

• Local magazines struggled against British and American imports, while some catered to local interests.

• Increasing difficulties for independents due to lack of capital compared to larger companies.

• The Australian Film Industry peaked between 1910-12, creating iconic films like The Story of the Kelly Gang.

Broadcasting Emergence and Impact

• Radio broadcasting began officially in 1923 and evolved into a vital mass medium.

• The Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) was established in 1932 to ensure quality programming.

• WWII increased ABC's Australian content, diminishing reliance on foreign resources.

Television Development

• Delayed rollout of television in Australia compared to the USA and UK; established a dual system in the late 1950s.

• Newspaper and radio companies formed alliances to secure television licenses.

• By 1956, the first commercial television broadcasts were introduced, aligning with the Melbourne Olympics.

Shifts in Media Ownership and Trends

• Post-war media consolidation led to fewer newspapers and increased concentration in ownership.

• Rupert Murdoch formed News Ltd, controlling a significant portion of metropolitan daily circulation.

• The cultural response to media censorship included growing expatriate creative populations.

Conclusion

• The history reflects a complex interplay between local needs, global interests, and technological advancements.

• The 1990s saw the adaptation of traditional markets to a changing digital environment.