Protest, boycott, political campaigns and blogging.

They're all words we associate with being an activist.

But what about the phrase 'annual general meeting'?

In boardrooms across Australia, shareholders are pushing for better corporate governance from the companies they partially own.

In recent times shareholders rejected plans to privatise Qantas, stopped a takeover of APN News & Media, and forced Telstra executives to justify their generous pay packets.

But does this dissent necessarily result in better run companies?

2ser's Leeanne Torpey spoke with Stewart Wilson, the CEO of the Australian Shareholders Association.