Hidden Influences on Media and Democracy

Media has a powerful influence on democracy because voters rely on media – news and social media – to learn about their democratic options. Although media’s influence is usually assumed to be positive for democracy, in this presentation, three experts will discuss hidden influences on media which serve to undermine the health of democracy.

• Dr Victoria Fielding, University of Adelaide, presenting about the influence of News Corp’s advocacy campaigns on democracy.
• Dr Denis Muller, University of Melbourne, discussing the role of News Corp in a changing media landscape.
• Dr Jeremy Walker, University of Technology Sydney, on how fossil fuel investors have influenced Australian media and democracy, both through the local ‘partner organisations’ of the global Atlas Network (Institute of Public Affairs, Centre for Independent Studies, etc) and more recent entities linked to them by aims, campaigns, funding and personnel (e.g Advance).

This event is part of the Australian Festival of Democracy & Human Rights, hosted by the University of Queensland Social Change Lab from 1 - 8 June, 2025.