Talkback radio programs are opportunistic, flexible and mobile, according to the University of Queensland’s Graeme Turner, who is researching talkback radio programming.

Turner told the Radio2005 conference in Melbourne that not enough wide research has been done into the influence of talkback radio. He cautioned against forming opinions on talkback programs by just taking the examples of a small number of commercial broadcasters.

He says talkback changed the old fashioned view that only noteable people’s voices should be heard on radio by allowing access to all voices. Turner has found that, while most politicians focus on the political influence of talkback radio, most callers do not discuss politics.

Analysing Prime Minister John Howard’s documented use of the media in the first three months of 2005, Turner found that the PM spent most of his political airtime on talkback radio:

“Mr Howard did 17 doorstop interviews, 25 press conferences, 24 radio interviews and 8 tv interviews.”

Most of PM Howard’s radio appearances were on Alan Jones’ and Neil Mitchell’s talkback radio programs. Only one appearance was on ABC Radio’s flagship current affairs program, AM.

Turner says tv news and current affairs programs now depend on pictures from radio interviews for their programs, embedding radio talkback firmly into the television medium and into popular culture.

“While only 13% of Sydney people, for instance, listen to Alan Jones, he exercises a big influence on politicians. They monitor him and take great pains to respond to issues aired on talkback radio.”

While commercial radio talkback is aggressive in its style, Turner says the ABC’s “gentle debate” style also has a role to play. Callers generally participate in talkback to “build community and support the public good,” says Turner.

Turner agrees with fellow researcher, John Tebbut, who says there are many people out there “waiting to be provoked” by talkback radio.