Who listens to right wing radio?

Hi,

Radio personality Alan Jones wields immense political power. He has the ear of premiers and prime ministers because they think he can influence voters. But who can he influence? asked the Australia Institute in a web paper in June 2006. Jones listeners are far older than average, more likely to be pensioners, and more likely to be religious than the average listener, according to Roy Morgan figures. By a big margin. They are more likely to think fundamental Australian values are under threat and they also feel personally more under threat, ie. they feel crime is growing, contrary to the real trends. They are twice as likely to vote conservative than average. The study concludes that Alan Jones’s audience is small – about the same as a low rating TV show – and politically rusted-on to the conservatives. Therefore his influence is not based on his ability to shift votes, but fear of on air criticism. Marketers are aware of his power – not many major brands spend any money with his program. Could it be that there’s no one there worth talking to?

Cheers!

Michael