Dr. Michael Ward

Dr. Michael Ward is an experienced media analyst. He was awarded a PhD at the University of Sydney for his thesis about the Australian Broadcasting ABC, national identity and women’s sports media. He has also researched public service media, innovation and nation-building, as well as media ownership concentration in Australia.  

He  teaches digital media trends and policy in the Media and Communications and Digital Cultures programs at the University of Sydney, as well as teaching media as part of Boston University’s Global Program. 

Prior to his academic career, he was a senior executive at the ABC, including as ABC Television’s Head of Policy. He  held senior positions with the Australian Film Commission and the Australian Film Finance Corporation, working on the analysis and development of Australian media and screen cultural policy. 

In addition to making numerous submissions to screen cultural, media and broadcasting policy reviews, he has contributed to research reports and publications, including Who Needs the ABC? (Ricketson & Mullins, 2022) and a 2022 report into Australian media ownership, Who Controls Our Media. His latest book, co-authored with Professor Graeme Murdock and Associate Professor Benedetta Brevini, is News Corp: Empire of Influence (2024, Routledge).