Explore every episode of the podcast We Used to be Journos

We give a nod to the Brazilian journalists who helped uncover Meta’s questionable role in the lead up to their country’s general election. Did Meta try to sway the vote in favour of the far-right candidate? If so, it didn’t work!

Antoinette unpacks Ben Roberts-Smith’s ‘exclusive’ media blitz ahead of his war crimes trial but loses count of the billionaire media barons helping rehab his reputation.

Jan also explains the so-called “dirt sheet” on independent MP Helen Haines and what it shows about how dirty politics can be.

Plus, a small Tasmanian school finds itself in the middle of a “cancelling Christmas” culture war thanks to the state’s Premier. His answers to our questions offer no accountability but some entertainment.

There’s also a shout-out to Bec(ette), our unofficial producer on the Tasmanian story, for the tip and the research.

Shooter/Editor: Lachlan French

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In the wake of the violent and deplorable attack on Independent MP Helen Haines, the Prime Minister has been asking everyone to “turn the temperature down”, but Jan Fran is not entirely clear on what that means or who it’s directed at.

​

In this episode of Only Fran, Jan Fran combs through previous examples of the PM using that phrase and finds that some people are turning the temperature up more than others.

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Jan and Antoinette look at how a violent attack on independent MP Helen Haines was politicised by The Australian, despite the scant details and evidence available.

Antoinette reflects honestly on her time in Lebanon, why it’s a country of contrasts and what "holidaying" in a warzone is really like. Also, we bring you a special interview with local reporter Widad Francis about the multifaceted challenges of being a journalist in Lebanon.

Plus, what extremist settler attacks on Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine reveal about the paper’s inconsistent ethical and editorial standards.

And Jan Fran has strong feelings about ABC Radio National's Top 100 Books of All Time.

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Shooter/Editor: Lachlan French

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In the span of 12 months Chile, Colombia and now (likely) Brazil will join Argentina and take a Trumpian turn by electing far-right leaders. As it happens, they are the top four largest economies in South America.

This week Jan Fran takes a look at why a far-right wave is is making a splash across South America and what that has to do with the current US president and the man who was US President in 1823.

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In this special episode, Jan Fran is joined by Soaliha Iqbal, Ette’s social media editor, who brings a unique Gen Z perspective on media and journalism.

They talk about Soaliha’s time in online youth media, why Israel/Palestine was such a fraught story to cover, what made Soaliha finally quit and why she doesn’t aspire to be an ‘objective’ journalist.

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Shooter/Editor: Lachy French

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*** A special deal for the Etterati - for a 30-day free subscription to Lamestream head to https://www.lamestream.com.au/ette and get Scott and Os’s breaking news and analysis for free.

In this special episode, Jan Fran and Lamestream co-founder Scott Mitchell sit down for a long overdue chat about starting independent media companies. They trade war stories about coming up through the mainstream media, what made them finally decide to go independent and the future for smaller indi outlets.

Plus, Scott talks about One Nation’s Victorian election campaign launch and the wildly racist video the media missed, while Jan brings some throwaway lines from the Australian Financial Review that have her cracking up because if she doesn’t laugh, she’ll cry.

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This week Jan Fran takes a look at the battle between the Trump administration and the International Criminal Court, although can you really call it a battle when it’s only one side doing the battling?

In addition to sanctioning individual members of the court, Donald Trump and his trusted Secretary of State, Marco Rubio are now considering sanctions against the entire organisation.

If that happens it would be an unprecedented f**k you to international law by a man determined never to be bound by it.

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In this special episode Jan and Antoinette take a deep dive into ABC’s 7.30 foreign policy interviews. They review forty-two interviews, by host Sarah Ferguson between mid 2022 - mid 2026 with international guests from conflict zones including Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Lebanon, Palestine and Israel.

The results are telling: Israeli guests are giving three times as much airtime as Palestinians, only Russia gets accused of propaganda, while asking for condemnation of violence is reserved for guests from one country only.

And that’s just a snippet.

Our data dive highlights how the public broadcaster echoes the Australian government’s views and international relationships — sometimes despite evidence and the expectations of international law. This was particularly prevalent with one country: Israel.

You can read our analysis and the ABC’s full reply at www.ettemedia.com

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***

Shooter/Editor: Lachlan French

Producer: Anushri Sood

Data analyst: Dr Richard Bean

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With the Macklemore Ed Sheeran saga continuing to play out in the headlines, some commentators have suggested it’s a watershed cultural moment that will help move the dial on Palestine.

Jan Fran wonders which dial, because there are certain dials that aren't shifting at all and are, in fact, going backwards.

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In this episode Antoinette takes a close look at the politics and culture journal Quarterly Essay and finds that it doesn’t quite reflect the "widest range of political, intellectual and cultural opinions."

Also, the years-long “civil war” in Sudan might sound like it has little to do with Australia but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Not that you’d know it from our media.

Plus, the high school reporters taking their principals to court cover freedom of speech and what this tells us about the current news cycle.

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TIPS & FEEDBACK tips@ettemedia.com

Shout out to producer Soaliha Iqbal and shooter/editor Lachlan French.

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Jan and Antoinette chat through the Federal Government’s attempt to regulate social media algorithms and why they’re a little dubious. 

Plus, Macklemore accuses Ed Sheeran of being ‘apolitical’... except that he’s not, and Antoinette has the receipts. 

Also, Anthony Albanese claps back at Pauline Hanson’s comments about his mother, but Jan’s not buying the backstory or the moving coverage. 

An update on our Samsung story and how to disable being fed Murdoch rage bait.

Plus a shout-out to one organisation that’s helped us re-frame the deluge of apocalyptic AI headlines.   

Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.

Thanks for our shooter/editor: Lachlan French 

Send us your tips and feedback tips@ettemedia.com 

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Zohran Mamdani will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks as the first Muslim mayor of New York City. Jan Fran’s first question is … and? 

This week, families of some of the 9/11 victims (flanked by myriad Republican politicians of course) presented him with a petition urging him not to attend the memorial at Ground Zero. Why? 

In this episode, Jan Fran goes through the petition and finds it’s as clarifying as it is ambiguous. 

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In this episode, Jan and Antoinette look at how unsuspecting media outlets end up creating what looks like sponsored content for Meta Glasses… without their explicit knowledge or consent.

We examine Antoinette’s hypothesis that Rupert Murdoch’s News 24 is forcing its way into the homes of ordinary Australians via Samsung smart TVs.

Plus, the UN released a landmark climate report warning that we’ve exceeded the 1.5 degree limit agreed to in the Paris Agreement of 2015. The only thing more depressing than the report's contents was its launch and some of the coverage that followed.  

Maps are being redrawn worldwide, and in both cases the United States is the fork in the road.

If you’re willing to be coaxed into buying Antoinette’s book Women Who Win because it’s her birthday it is is here. 

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Shooter/Editor: Lachlan French 

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Milo Yiannopoulos is a British far-right commentator who rose to fame a decade ago being a “provocateur” and self-styled internet troll. He’s credited by some as a key figure in Donald Trump’s 2016 election. 

Well, now he’s ashamed he ever supported Trump because this week he was arrested by ICE agents and deported back to Britain. Turns out Milo doesn't like the world that he helped usher in. 

The MAGA mea culpa is getting very tiring.

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Jan Fran and Antoinette unpack the true crime spectacle surrounding American mother Lindsay Clancy, who is on trial for killing her three young children. 

More proof Israel's war on journalists has spread to the West Bank, where violent settlers are attacking US and other foreign film crews while soldiers watch. Plus a Guardian investigation exposes the tens of millions of dollars Israel is pouring into gaming AI chatbots with fake think tank reports.

Also, Aussie media loves private school stories and one particular story about private school uniforms caught Jan Fran’s eye.   

Plus Antoinette gives a shout-out to the indie media and not-for-profit collab doing important work on Australia's rising far right.

Shooter/Editor: Lachlan French

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American-Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef has had to postpone his stand up tour of Australia because he has not received his visa in time. He says he was required to provide a criminal record from both the US and Egypt. Meanwhile around 40 IDF soldiers are in town to run in the Sydney Marathon as part of a “peace delegation". 

Jan Fran explores who gets a visa to come to Australia, who doesn’t and why it’s all a bit confusing. 

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In this episode, we look at a searing speech given by acclaimed author Richard Flanagan at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas, in which he outlines the way the pro-Israel lobby is threatening our democracy.

We also examine the media’s self-reflection (or lack thereof) following the tragic death of Cambridge Professor Jason Arday. 

Jan gives zero stars to an opinion piece on the allegations of sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl levelled at three students from the prestigious boys' school, Scots College. 

Plus – a glimpse into the opaque operations of far-right group Advance delivers some surprises.  

Watch Richard Flanagan’s full address to the Festival of Dangerous Ideas here. 

Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.

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This week a bill passed the Senate that will give ASIO extended powers on top of its already very extended powers. Not only can an innocent person be hauled in for questioning, held for 24-hours, potentially without a lawyer but they can’t tell anyone about it. 

Now, ASIO will be given added powers on what it can question you on and Jan Fran has a feeling it’s got to do with Palestine protests.

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In this episode Jan and Antoinette explain why the death of Cambridge’s youngest Black professor Jason Arday was not, in fact, a “plagiarism row” but something far greater and more pernicious that the British press had a hand in. 

Plus, popular newsletter Politico launches its Canberra team with claims to be neutral and not take a side. Its CEO - and a five-item checklist - says otherwise. 

There’s also a shout-out to students taking on Pauline Hanson (and silly questions from the press), and the TikToker combing through 90s TV shows finding soft propaganda for Israel.  

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Follow  Ari on TikTok 

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Just dropping a little note in the feed to let you know that I've come down with a bug.

Don't worry I'm okay but I'm feeling very, very sorry for myself.

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We examine the alleged case of left-wing terrorism announced by Australian authorities: a crime that has no suspects in custody or charges laid. We also unpack the dangers of both-sidesing an issue when the evidence and research on right-wing terrorism is far greater. 

Plus, the gambling industry's mates in the media take an odd swing at former NRL player and gambling addict Luke Bateman, after his bombshell Senate testimony about how the betting industry operates.

And a shout-out to author Trent Dalton, who handled a profile piece-turned-hit piece in the Murdoch press with class. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, free and confidential support is available 24/7 through the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this podcast claimed Luke Bateman had accused TAB, Sportsbet and Star Casino of improper behaviour in his testimony before a Senate inquiry. While Luke Bateman did allege betting companies behaved badly, he did not specifically name any. The three outfits were named by Alliance for Gambling Reform chief executive Tim Costello in his testimony before the inquiry.

Catch Antoinette at Byron Bay Writer’s Festival this here. 

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It’s an election that Jan Fran didn’t really think she’d care about that much: the US state of Michigan’s democratic Senate primary race. Except that it was about a lot more than the state of Michigan. In this episode of Only Fran Jan unpacks why this election really was - as the media likes to dramatically call it - a “battle for the soul of the Democratic party” and what this battle has to do with the state of Israel.  

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In this episode, we unpack how the major global mainstream media outlets spurred on the far-right and obscured the real story behind the 50,000 Moroccans who entered Spanish territory. even though there were obvious red flags from the beginning.

Plus, Gina Rinehart launches legal action against the ABC over a comedy sketch, is the law there to protect billionaires' feelings, or is a chilling effect the real aim? 

And a new campaign is calling for a boycott of the Daily Telegraph over its inflammatory coverage of minorities. We look at the opportunities and challenges ahead.

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Boycott the Daily Telegraph petition here.

Want updates on Jan’s doco on Khaled Sabsabi? Join the mailing list here

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This week Cheek Media’s Hannah Ferguson put her hand up to run for the seat of Grayndler at the next federal election. This seat happens to be the Prime Minister’s seat and also Jan Fran’s and Jan’s never gonna stop anyone - especially not a progressive Gen-Zer - from holding Labor’s feet to the fire, but… what is the best way to do that?

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Pauline Hanson has been found to be a racist by the Federal Court...for a second time. We look at what this means for establishment media covering both her and her victim Senator Mehreen Faruqi because, as we discovered in the original judgement, they're not two sides of the same coin.

Plus: will Substack be able to weed out A.I slop or is its new partnership with AI detector Pangram a fancy way to surveil creators?

Also why Israeli paper Haaretz is covering West Bank settler violence with a clarity Australian media cant - or won't. And communism has entered the discourse. Find out why we're blaming Donald Trump.

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In this episode Jan Fran and Antoinette celebrate Spain’s win at the FIFA World Cup acknowledging they’ve probably been influenced and/or brainwashed by their algorithm which morphed the football final into an Argentina hate-fest. 

Plus, they shine a spotlight on Seven’s exclusive interview with Pauline Hanson, and the decades-long role the media company has played in reviving her career and airing her views. 

Also, Australia’s richest woman, Gina Rinehart doesn't like our opinion, and sent us a complaint email. We reveal what was inside. 

Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.

Jayson Gillham’s Keys To Life tour. 

This episode was sponsored by Salaam Wealth Funds Management (Aust) Pty Ltd ABN 32 144 560 172, AFSL 365260 (Salaam).Total Risk Management Pty Limited ABN 62 008 644 353, AFSL 238790 (TRM) is the trustee of Russell Investments Master Trust ABN 89 384 753 567. Salaam superannuation is a division of the Russell Investments Master Trust.

This episode is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Salaam and Ette Media recommends consulting a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions. All information is accurate as of the date of publication but may be subject to change.

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In this episode, Jan takes a look at the Prime Minister’s AI plan. Or rather his plan to have a plan. 

In a major speech delivered this week, he promised to fast-track approvals for datacentres and protect the copyright of Aussie artists. It was big on vision but small on details. But that’s not what’s got Jan feeling an underlying sense of anxiety.  

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The media tranche of the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion’s media block has wrapped and we’re dedicating a whole episode to breaking down what was said and - importantly - what wasn’t.

We tuned in to hear the public broadcasters - SBS and ABC - face accusations of anti-Israel coverage and we look at the proposal by Jillian Segal - the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism -  for a new body to oversee and assess the public broadcaster's coverage. 

Plus we examine how the rest of the media covered the hearing and find a lot of the coverage ran with one particular line.  

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Nigel Farage has resigned…or has he?

In this episode Jan Fran looks at the biggest political story unfolding in the UK: the resignation of right-wing, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. 

He’s stepped down as the member for Clacton-on-Sea but - and there is a but - he’ll recontest his own seat in an upcoming by-election.

Oh did we mention this is all a ploy to stem criticism about millions of undisclosed pounds he’s received from crypto tycoons? And the only thing standing in his way is a joker in a rubbish bin costume named Count Binface. No really!

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In late 2023, rapper and hip hop artist Miss Kaninna made headlines when she disappeared from triple j airwaves after sharing her views on Palestinian human rights. A few weeks later, in the very same building a similar fate awaited Antoinette Lattouf. While Lattouf took her fight to Federal court, Miss Kaninna took hers on the road, touring the UK and Europe with Irish rap trio Kneecap, Miss Kaninna then made ARIAS history and featured on two billboards in Times Square.

Now, for the first time, they compare notes on backlash, career highs, public pressure plus the power and freedom that comes with speaking your mind. The proud Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Kalkadoon and Yirendali sovereign woman reflects on her meteoric rise as a woman who "says what she believes with her chest out."

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Catch Miss Kaninna on tour in August and September.

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In this episode, we examine allegations by right-wing politicians and influencers that the UK’s ‘Rape Gang Inquiry Report’ is being ignored by the mainstream media. We take a look at what the report is, where it came from and discover things are not quite what they seem.

Plus, Jan gets a pat on the back for getting to the bottom of what sparked the saturated coverage of Albanese saying he’d shag Kylie Minogue.

Also, Mamamia wedges a 'women's angle' into its write up of Karl Stefanovic’s interview with Piers Morgan, leaving us scratching our heads; punk-rap duo Bob Vylan sue the BBC for defamation and the wall-to-wall non-coverage of Taylor Swift's wedding.

Rape Crisis: 1800RESPECT 

Lifeline: 131114

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Episode sponsored by Salaam Wealth.

Salaam Wealth Funds Management (Aust) Pty Ltd ABN 32 144 560 172, AFSL 365260 (Salaam).Total Risk Management Pty Limited ABN 62 008 644 353, AFSL 238790 (TRM) is the trustee of Russell Investments Master Trust ABN 89 384 753 567. Salaam superannuation is a division of the Russell Investments Master Trust.

Ette Media and Salaam recommend consulting a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions. All information is accurate as of the date of publication but may be subject to change.

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If you think Pauline Hanson is popular in real life you should see how popular she is online. Pages have sprung up all over Facebook this year in support of One Nation. One small problem - they’re run out of Indonesia and half the stuff they post isn’t real! It’s AI slop yet one post by one page can rack up thousands of reactions from genuine Australian accounts. 

Jan Fran asks whether Pauline’s Hanson is really as popular online as she seems to be or if there are other factors at play and what this means for her popularity IRL. 

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In this episode we eat cake and celebrate our first birthday! That’s right Ette Media turns one and to mark the occasion Jan and Antoinette do a Rose-Thorn-Bud analysis of the past year - what’s been good, what’s been bad, what’s showing promise. 

Plus, a 45-year-old Australian man has been charged with murdering 17-year-old Thai teenager and stuffing her body in a suitcase. We take a look at the woeful Australian media coverage of that heinous crime.  

Also, Iran’s football team get peppered with political questions by reporters at the FIFA World Cup. We discuss whether that’s fair and why other countries, such as the US, didn’t get the same treatment. 

Get 30% off your Ette Media subscription here. (for a limited time!)

Episode sponsored by Salaam Wealth.

Salaam Wealth Funds Management (Aust) Pty Ltd ABN 32 144 560 172, AFSL 365260 (Salaam).Total Risk Management Pty Limited ABN 62 008 644 353, AFSL 238790 (TRM) is the trustee of Russell Investments Master Trust ABN 89 384 753 567. Salaam superannuation is a division of the Russell Investments Master Trust.

Ette Media and Salaam recommend consulting a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions. All information is accurate as of the date of publication but may be subject to change.

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This week one of Australia’s highest paid media personalities parted ways with the Nine Network where he’s worked for the last 21 years.  He is now officially independent… or free as he puts it. But free to do what? 

In this episode, Jan Fran explores Karl’s transformation into a right wing culture warrior and why she reckons his quest for “free speech” is a load of bollocks. 

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In this episode Jan and Antoinette look at the way both Donald Trump and Pauline Hanson used Keir Starmer’s resignation to further their own anti-immigrant, anti-climate change agenda and how the media helped out. 

Plus, Gina Rinehart’s ‘Bush Summit’ speech gets the coverage she asked for but not the coverage it deserved. 

And we unpack the decision by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - APHRA - to adopt the IHRA definition of anti semitism. We look at how this might quash criticism of Israel, why medical practitioners are ropable and why the media has been mute. 

There’s also a shout out to you - our Etterati - for your feedback after last week’s episode on how we can better contribute to online discourse. 

Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.

Episode sponsored by Salaam Wealth.

Salaam Wealth Funds Management (Aust) Pty Ltd ABN 32 144 560 172, AFSL 365260 (Salaam).Total Risk Management Pty Limited ABN 62 008 644 353, AFSL 238790 (TRM) is the trustee of Russell Investments Master Trust ABN 89 384 753 567. Salaam superannuation is a division of the Russell Investments Master Trust.

Ette Media and Salaam recommend consulting a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions. All information is accurate as of the date of publication but may be subject to change.

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Far-right leader Pauline “there are no good Muslims” Hanson walked into the  National Press Club this week with her middle finger firmly up to the journalists in the room. It stayed up for the duration of her 90 minute address. 

And while some reporters tried to hold her to account, most gave her free reign to espouse a disjointed, frenetic, racist agenda that in Jan Fran’s view will only lead to a darker more insular Australia. 

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In this episode, Antoinette fact-checks two feel-good narratives that emerged after the Socceroos’ World Cup win over Türkiye -  including claims about Australia’s youngest-ever World Cup goalscorer. Yes we know she’s a killjoy...but also right.  

Plus, Jan brings some inconvenient reminders to help unpack Anthony Albanese’s response to the latest US-Iran ceasefire deal. 

Also: the push to overhaul the Australian Press Council aka Australia’s media watchdog. Hint: it’s a toothless tiger and may or may not be running cover for the Murdoch press.  And an introspective chat about online hate - are we a help or a hindrance? Feedback wanted.   

Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.

BONUS episode on Jayson Gillham v MSO here.

Lodge a complaint with the Australian Press Council here.

Sign a petition to reform the Australian Press Council here.

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This week Jan looks at the mammoth trilateral security pact known as AUKUS and asks how much are those submarines costing us again? Be warned, there’s not a clear answer to that question because even those in charge don't really know. 

Let’s just say hundreds of billions of dollars for deliverables that just keep changing??  

That’s a lot of tax payer dollars at stake - not to mention the billions of dollars we’ve already thrown away on quite literally nothing. You’d think that would incense the media as much as other government spending but not so. 

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In his first interview since his trial ended, pianist Jayson Gillham sits down with Antoinette Lattouf to talk through his 15-day Federal Court trial against the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Jayson believes the MSO canceled his performance after he dedicated a piece of music to Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza.

He talks about why he fought back so hard, the cost of standing his ground and what this high-stakes battle taught him about the state of our arts and media landscape.

Plus, there's a little surprise if you make it to the very end of the episode.

GRAB TICKETS to Jayson Gillham's tour with Iyad Sughayer here. 

SUPPORT INDEPENDENT MEDIA and become and Ette Media subscriber here. 

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In this episode, Jan and Antoinette react to news that Charlie Pickering's swipe at Grace Tame didn’t breach ABC’s code of conduct, which leaves them very confused about who gets to have opinions at the national broadcaster and who doesn’t. 

Plus, they take stock of the weekend articles that compared Pauline Hanson to various important historical figures and they dissect an A.I-related quandary involving two academics and the Sydney Morning Herald.  

Jan gives a shout out to the former MAGA influencer blowing the whistle on MAGA’s media manipulation, while Antoinette praises fellow indie media outlet’s persistent coverage on Lebanon. 

Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.

Thanks to @jaidanielpyne for composing the music for our podcast.

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In this special episode of Only Fran Jan chats to author Sarah Wilson about the rising sense of dis-ease she has about the world. With so much upheaval and uncertainty - how is one to navigate a world that feels like it's, well, collapsing?

In this conversion they talk about collapse - what it means, how Sarah came to the idea, the difficulty of accepting some hard truths about the world, that things will get worse before they get better, and ultimately what a new world can look like and what is needed to get there. 

Sarah's new book is I Eat The Stars and you can follow her on Substack

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Should we be worried about Pauline Hanson’s latest poll surge? The Etterati asked, so we separate genuine trends from poll hysteria.

We also unpack the shocking moment a radio boss groped his employee on stage at Australia’s biggest audio awards night - we saw it happen!

Plus, a 25-year-old woman moved to Australia, started a new job, and weeks later she was dead. Her family is demanding answers, protests have been held, and questions have been raised in Kenya's parliament — so why has Australian media not covered it?

And finally, Jan recommends a powerful essay on how the press helped manufacture consent for Gaza’s genocide, while Antoinette finds an unlikely antidote to Karl Stefanovic's podcast pivot.

Lifeline provides 24/7 crisis counselling in Australia: 13 11 14 

Meriton Group statement received after podcast record: 

“Meriton was very saddened by this unfortunate incident. We take such matters seriously and give priority to ensuring that these matters are adequately investigated by NSW Police. We have been informed that NSW Police is treating this incident as a self-harm incident."

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If you want to see our mugs as we yap you can watch the episode in full here.

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This week the Teals were chatting about forming a new political party designed - in part - to counter the rise of Pauline Hanson and the far right.

This got Jan Fran wondering about the other colour-specific party that’s supposed to be doing that: the Greens. 

As she watches the rise of the far right with abject terror Jan wonders why the Australian Greens haven't quite made the same inroads as their UK counterparts and what it might take for them to do so.

SUPPORT ETTE MEDIA: and subscribe.

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In this episode, Jan and Antoinette explore why flotilla activists trying to break Israel’s illegal blockade are finally getting media attention, and look at how one interview took a very bizarre turn. 

We explain why the largest mining company in the world is suing the small independent outfit Michael West Media and why you’ve probably not seen much about it.

Plus we give you an inside look at the Sydney Writers Festival and examine the latest Murdoch media purchase by the apparently “good” Murdoch brother, James.

Antoinette gives her yes to a premium niche Aussie newspaper making a return to print, while Jan appreciates writers’ festivals showing more bravery.

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This week One Nation’s Pauline Hanson released a policy that will see more gas industry’s money flow to the public purse. It sounded… legit. And that’s got Jan Fran worried.

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Novara Media's Ash Sarkar knows a thing or two about starting (and growing!) an independent media company.

In this special episode, the British journalist and author sits down with Antoinette Lattouf for a conversation about independent media, political journalism and the danger of "audience capture".

They unpack the rise of indie media in the UK, failures of the BBC, “objectivity” in journalism, and whether mainstream media can still hold power to account.

Plus: Ash’s defamation win and the pressures facing independent outlets in the age of AI.

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Buy her book Minority Rule.

Shout out to Triple R 102.7FM, Melbourne Independent Radio for hosting us in their studios.

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