Lamestream – Details, episodes & analysis

On the first episode of Lamestream, Os and and Scott explain why they created the show and what they're hoping to achieve by launching a new, independent media outlet.

They unpack the idea of the "podcast election" and the significance of politicians ditching traditional media interviews in favour of conversations with social media influencers and podcasters like Abbie Chatfield and The Betoota Advocate, and what that means for accountability and the future of the media landscape.

Next, they share their top three underrated campaign narratives of this election, discussing Peter Dutton's woeful campaign, the media's coverage of the Greens and what happens if there's a hung parliament.

And, they dissect the new campaign launched by News Corp and Nine to tackle racism in Australia, and how seriously we should take it given Nine's willingness to attack Welcome to Country ceremonies, in the aftermath of the Anzac Day protests.

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Trust in media and politics has collapsed, and the world feels more fractured than ever. It's never been more important understand what's shaping our society and our culture, but it's also never been harder.

That's why we're creating Lamestream. It's a new, fully independent, weekly podcast and newsletter that tackles the crisis in media.

Hosted by award-winning journalists Osman Faruqi and Scott MItchell, every week Lamestream will break down how how media shapes news, culture, politics and current affairs.

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In this pre-election episode of Lamestream Os and Scott share their tips for watching the results, highlight what contests they're keeping a close eye on and even boldly make a few predictions.

They dive into the latest crisis engulfing the ABC with fresh allegations the broadcaster's chair, Kim Williams, inappropriately interfered to help promote a controversial comedian.

Plus, they examine the growing attacks on Welcome to Country ceremonies and the media's role in injecting them into the political discussion in the final week of the election campaign.

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A Labor landslide! Peter Dutton lost his seat! The Greens are in trouble! Sky News hosts lose their minds!

In this special, post-election episode of Lamestream Scott and Os talk through the topline the results of the federal election and how they compare to the media's predictions (including their own).

They discuss the emerging post-election narratives, examine whether this election is confirmation that News Corp is no longer as powerful as it once was, and take a closer look at some of the closest races.

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Os and Scott discuss how the Australian media is covering the Israeli government's announcement it will "conquer" Gaza and and forcibly relocate the Palestinian population. They talk about why the local outlets like the ABC seem to be doing a worse job at telling the truth compared to mainstream outlets in the US and Europe, and who influences reporting of the issue here in Australia.

Then they look at the growing furore in the AFL media over Fremantle captain Alex Pearce's sharing of an Instagram post by Irish rappers Kneecap, and the desperate attempt by News Corp, Seven and 3AW to drum up a culture war.

And in some more post-election analysis they talk about how different media outlets are responding to the result, and how some are coping much better than others.

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Scott takes Os on a deep dive into the world of commercial radio, focusing on the mammoth $200m deal Kyle and Jackie O signed to help take their show national. Where do media companies get this kind of money? Why are they spending it on shock-jocks? Is the future of radio as grim as it looks?

They also cover the media reporting of the new Liberal party leader Sussan Ley and discuss whether she is as "moderate" as news coverage suggests, and look at Labor's recently factional implosion.

And they announce a new segment: "Keeping Tabs", which will be a more rapid-fire discussion of different stories and issues in the media that deserve attention or scrutiny.

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On this week's episode, Os and Scott step through a turbocharged Keeping Tabs segment, covering the unhinged media reaction to Zohran Mamdani winning the New York City mayoral Democratic primary, and the calls from Republicans to deport him over his position on Israel, police violence against protestors and revelations that was exacerbated due to new anti-protest laws, and some of the dumbest takes coming out in the aftermath of about the ABC vs. Lattouf decision.

Later in the episode, they discuss the fallout from the Glastonbury music festival, and why the media and politicians are more interested in talking about artists opposed to the war in Gaza, than actually talking about the war in Gaza.

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After the biggest media trial of the year a federal court judge has found the ABC fired Antoinette Lattouf in order to appease pro-Israel lobbyists. Os and Scott explore the background to the case, breakdown what the trial revealed about secretive lobbying efforts targeting journalists and what the decision means for journalism, and the right of journalists to express political opinions.

Later in the episode the look at the reporting around the Iran-Israel ceasefire and why previously sceptical media outlets now seem eager to take Trump's statements at face value despite the amount of times he's been exposed for lying. They also discuss the Australian media's unwillingness to describe the war against Iran is illegal, and why that matters.

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In this special episode of Lamestream, Os and Scott react to the news that the US has taken the extraordinary step of joining Israel's war against Iran by bombing the country.

They discuss the details of the US attack, why Trump made the decision to support Israel and what could happen next.

Plus, they look at how the media reacted to the bombing, including the bizarre decisions from the ABC to interview Scott Morrison, and examine how little expertise there is in Australian newsrooms on this issue.

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With the US on the brink of joining Israel's war against Iran, likely causing mass civilian deaths and plunging the region into chaos, Os and Scott look at the way media outlets actively helped lay the groundwork for this new conflict. They discuss how the war is being reported, and which civilians are humanised more. They revisit the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and compare how the same narratives are being rolled out by the media to justify war and regime change.

Also in this episode they discuss the future of the ABC after the organisation's latest restructure and cuts. They unpack the public broadcaster's pivot away from digital and back to TV and radio, and the gutting of arts and culture reporting.

Plus, they discuss what the Logies reveal about the state of Australian TV, the sale of the 7am podcast and (briefly) the discourse around Sabrina Carpenter's new album cover.

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