Hate on the news: Far-right media strategies in Australia

This paper examines the relationships of reciprocity and interdependence between the far right and news media through an analysis of far-right media strategies in Australia. The increased visibility of far-right actors, and ensuing interest from news media, raises questions about the role news media play in normalising far-right actors and ideas. Through case studies of far-right media engagement, including cross burnings, hoax phone calls, and participation in key national debates like the Voice to Parliament, we analyse how the far right interacts with and attempts to instrumentalise Australian news media to normalise far-right actors and discourses. We propose a typology of far-right media engagement strategies, arguing that these strategies - bandwagoning, hoaxing, interpretive linking, stunts and the performance of respectability - exploit commercial media imperatives and gaps in newsroom preparedness for reporting on issues like far-right extremism in order to amplify far-right messages.