Menzies and Television: A Medium He ‘Endured’

Abstract

In his 1967 reminiscences, Menzies referred to ‘the new dominance of Press, Radio, and Television. These “Media”, as they are now called …’ On the basis of research in the Menzies Papers, national archives and other manuscript sources, this paper examines the evolution of Menzies‘ relationship with television, the newest of ‘these “Media”’, against the background of his earlier relations with the press and radio, and his attitudes to technological innovation in the media. It examines the evolution of television policy under Menzies, particularly the introduction of television, and issues of media ownership and cultural nationalism. It analyses the manner in which Menzies reacted to, adapted to and used television. Existing studies of Menzies’ relationship with television have not given due weight to its complexity; here the emphasis is on ambivalence — Menzies disliked television, but presided over its introduction in Australia; he was little interested as a viewer, yet he became a competent television ‘performer’ who outshone political contemporaries; he denied ‘deferring’ to the media, yet he helped to incorporate television into Australian political life.