Structure of the newspaper in Australia

Newspapers are structured around three factors: "frequency of publication (daily or weekly), circulation (number of newspapers sold) and size (tabloid or broadsheet)." Like television channels, tabloid (small) and broadsheet (large) newspapers distribute news to the community in different ways. Generally, tabloids are sensationalised and centred on attention-grabbing content. Meanwhile, broadsheets are often written for a more intellectual target audience, using in-depth analysis and writing. In regards to the Matthew Johns scandal, tabloid newspapers like The Daily Telegraph, ran with the controversy created by the ‘Four Corners’ and ‘A Current Affair’ interviews. One article came with the revelation that the victim, ‘Clare’, was now currently married to a footballer, albeit it was rugby union, and has struggled through life ever since the incident.

Another reported on the fact that one of Johns’ best friends, Brian Carney, flew 17,000 kilometres from Cardiff to be by his side. Furthermore, two weeks after the 'Four Corners' program went to air, the newspaper reported a story concerning a woman having sex with more than 200 Australian Football League (AFL) players over a twelve-year period. These are blatant examples of the way The Daily Telegraph has played on the prominence of Johns in order to enhance the circulation of their papers and make a profit. These stories were written with the clear intention of using whatever means possible to exploit the ongoing public interest in the group sex scandal.