The media and leadership: An exploratory study of Howard and Costello

Abstract

This article explores the proposition that the Australian federal Press Gallery operates as a pack and, as such, engages in feeding frenzies when presented with a major story. It uses framing analysis to argue that while the gallery can act as a Pack, even when the journalists have to work independently to obtain the background needed for a story, this does not mean that a feeding frenzy takes place. In fact it argues that Gallery journalists can act as ‘wise heads’ and potentially calm an issue down, rather than beat it up for their own purposes.

Keywords

• media framing
• gatekeepers
• journalist sources
• political journalism
• press gallery