Jonestalk: The Specificity of Alan Jones

Abstract

Alan Jones is among the most controversial, and reputedly the most influential, of talkback hosts in Australia. Governments appear to provide privileged access, and his media campaigns appear to achieve results. However, an increasing number of commentators have argued that his so-called influence is an illusion — the product of indefatigable self-promotion and a gullible public. While debate over what the radio audience might make of Alan Jones continues, in this article we use quantitative and qualitative analyses of the program itself to examine what is distinctive about his performance as a radio talkback host in order to also address the question of how, and to what extent, Jones both seeks and achieves political influence.