That doesn't really answer the question. For example, do you mean companies are being driven to ignore other stakeholders in order to inflate dividends and provide an increased return for shareholders? Or that balance sheets are being massaged to improve share values? If you do then I don't think the shareholders are the issue here, and that the solution doesn't lie with getting rid of shareholders.
I did list some things that can and have happened when the focus becomes solely how best to satisfy shareholders. Which doesn't have to be dividends can be in terms of short-term share price increases.
Like cost cutting and producing an inferior product which is more profitable in the short term.
Like excessive desire to reduce wage costs, driving down conditions and pay.
Like not being able to invest properly in the future.
Perhaps you're right that it isn't the shareholders directly pulling the strings and directly making those decisions. But the general consensus of opinion is that a desire to please shareholders has had negative consequences in the behaviour of many businesses.
I don't think that's controversial?
If you want to speak as an authority and say, "This doesn't happen it's all fantasy and don't believe what you read," then I'll bow out and stop reading articles in places like Forbes