Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
By Sally Young, UNSW Press, $49.99.
An engaging history lesson for anyone interested in renewed information and examination of the Australian press. A consummate account of the growth and spread of Australia’s newspaper dynasties
This book describes how the ‘media monsters’ – one of Australia’s largest newspaper groups – got to a point to convey a sense of their extraordinary size, wealth and power.
Award-winning author and professor of political science at the University of Melbourne, Sally Young, uncovers the key players, their political connections and campaigns and their corporate failures and triumphs.
In 1941, the paper emperors of the Australian newspaper industry helped bring down Robert Menzies. Over the next 30 years, they grew into media monsters.
This book reveals the transformation from the golden age of newspapers during World War II, through Menzies’ return and the rise of television, to Gough Whitlam’s ‘It’s Time’ victory in 1972.
During this crucial period, 12 independent newspaper companies turned into a handful of multimedia giants. They controlled newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations. Their size and reach was unique in the western world.
Vital to this transformation was playing politics. The newspaper industry was animated by friendships and rivalries, favours and deals, and backed by money and influence, including from mining companies, banks and the Catholic Church.
Even internationally, Australia’s newspaper owners and executives were considered a shrewd and ruthless bunch. The hard men of the industry included Rupert Murdoch, Frank Packer, Warwick Fairfax’s top executive Rupert Henderson, and Jack Williams, the unsung empire builder of the Herald and Weekly Times.
Meticulously researched, Young explores how the companies they ran still influence Australia today.
An extraordinary tome, revealing the power of the press.
