FEAR & GREED | Business News Q+A: Sean worked at the AFR. Here's how companies use the media.
Nov 1, 2025
Sean Aylmer, a former business journalist with extensive experience at The Australian Financial Review, dives into the intricate relationship between media and corporations. He discusses how a report sent Domino's shares surging and the trustworthiness of platforms like Street Talk. Aylmer also sheds light on the verification process journalists use before publishing, explores how government entities mirror business media tactics, and reveals behind-the-scenes pressures that shape news coverage.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Media Mentions Move Markets
- Reputable gossip columns can move markets because investors treat their tips as high-quality signals.
- The Street Talk mention of Bain sparked a 17% jump in Domino's stock despite no confirmed offer.
Verify Tips Before Running Them
- Verify tips with at least two independent, verifiable sources before publishing.
- Treat denials from official spokespeople seriously and fact-check against vested-interest claims.
Sources Versus Floated Stories
- Reporters verify tips and often require multiple independent sources before publishing.
- Yet PR actors can still 'float' ideas in media to test market or stakeholder reactions.