Talkback personality John Laws has dominated morning radio in Sydney for several decades, and his program is now networked to more than 70 stations around the country. A detailed analysis of this program based on six weeks' monitoring spread over more than one year (1996–97) attempts to identify the factors which may be decisive in attracting and keeping substantial audiences. The analysis will make reference to theories of uses and gratifications among media audiences, with suggestions for possible further research.
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Gillian Appleton is a freelance consultant and former editor of the Communication Law Centre's Communications Update.
