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The Ben Roberts-Smith Culture War, the ABC Ditches Woke, and Will The US-Iran Ceasefire Last?
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Is this episode, Os and Scott look the long road to Ben Roberts-Smith arrest for war crimes, including the role played by investigative journalism. They discuss how sections of the media built up a cult of personality around Roberts-Smith, and how his arrest has already sparked a culture war with right-wing figures like Gina Rinehart and Pauline Hanson coming out to support him.
Next, they discuss the ceasefire between the US and Iran and what it reveals about who folded. They talk about how long it might last, and why the media coverage of this war still feels so disconnected from the reality on the ground.
In Keeping Tabs, they look at whether Lamestream's prediction of Karl Stefanovic's future is about to come true, and why the ABC's Managing Director Hugh Marks seems so eager to give The Australian everything they want, from questions about the ABC hiring Kyle Sandilands to the broadcaster's backdown on diversity.
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Albanese Refuses to Join Sanctions Against Ethnic Cleansing. Plus, One Nation Politicises a Drug Use Admission
01:13:37|Scott is joined by writer and journalist Rachel Withers. They begin with a quick discussion of Lamestream's latest reporting that ABC management has abandoned its proposed changes to the Indigenous TV department and will go back to the drawing board.Rachel and Scott dive into Anthony Albanese's decision not to join countries like the UK, Canada and France in sanctioning Israel's ethnic cleansing in the West Bank. They discuss how the story was reported by Australian media, whether the sanctions will be effective, and just how isolated the Albanese government has now become in its support for Israel.Then, they discuss the One Nation press conference that captivated the media: Warren Pickering's admission to past drug use. But how did the party leverage the moment politically? And did the media notice?Finally, in Keeping Tabs, Rachel and Scott discuss the latest moves at a billionaire-backed institute that funds journalism, and the public servants who don't want videos of them showing up on your Instagram.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube
The Climate Convo Australia Urgently Needs. Plus, Our Plan To Fix Political Corruption
42:52|Os is back, and he and Scott begin with a conversation about why Australia can't bring itself to talk about climate, while the world sees the disaster in Nepal as a giant warning about the climate crisis.Then, Scott dives into the blockbuster corruption hearings happening in NSW and his pitch for how to solve political corruption once and for all.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube
The Existential Threat to Palestine, Hanson's Persecution Complex and the Future of Media w/ Antony Loewenstein
01:05:33|On this special episode of Lamestream, Scott is joined by Walkley Award-winning author and journalist Antony Loewenstein.They begin by talking about Antony's early years as a journalist, getting tapped on the shoulder by management over critical coverage of Israel and the Iraq War, and why he decided he had to leave mainstream Australian media behind.Then, they discuss genocidal attitudes taking hold in sections of Israeli society, how they contributed to the killing of Zomi Frankcom and why Palestine now faces the most existential threat that it ever has.Finally, they discuss Pauline Hanson's allegation that Anthony Albanese is using violent rhetoric that could lead to political violence.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube
How Labor Lost a Seat to One Nation. Plus, Media Silence as March for Australia Shows its True Colours
50:27|Scott is joined by guest co-host Tina Quinn from the Fourth Estate podcast. Tina and Scott talk about the news out of the stunning by-election result in Western Australia, which saw One Nation defeat Labor in a safely held seat, after Labor ran a gas lobbyist as their candidate.Then, they turn to the March for Australia, which held its one-year anniversary rally on Sunday. This time, the march openly advocated for Australian neo-Nazis, raising questions about the media that tried to shield the march from criticism.And finally, Scott and Tina review News Corp and Gina Rinehart's big ideas event.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube
How Do We Talk About Immigration? Plus, 8 Ways to Make the ABC Great Again
01:15:51|Has One Nation accidentally revealed itself to be a pro-immigration party? Os and Scott step through how the party fumbled its most signature policy and what that could mean the national immigration debate the media and politician are having.They also discuss whether progressives should engage in the debate, how they should do it, and share ideas for how respond to the rise in anti-immigration sentiment.Later in the show they share their eight favourite ideas for how to fix the ABC, across news, entertainment and more!Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube
Is Australia Actually Mad at Israel For Killing a Citizen? Plus, the AFL Tabloid Frenzy Loses the Plot
48:23|The Australian government has expressed "outrage" that Israel won't hold anyone responsible for the killing of aid worker Zomi Frankcom, but just how seriously should we take those statements?Os and Scott cover the diplomatic brawl and how the media regurgitated falsehoods from Israel's ambassador. They also discuss how the investigation in Hind Rajab's killing received relatively little attention in Australia.Later in the episode, Os breaks down the "serious miscarriage of justice" that a judge says occurred in one of Australia's most high-profile anti-Semitism prosecutions. Plus, Mark Ruffalo takes on the Warner Bros. / Paramount Merger and the Ellison's, and how the tabloid frenzy over the AFL in the past week has spun out of control.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube
The Swans and Our Sports Media Problem. Plus, Labor's Gambling and NDIS Sell Out and the New Book Ban
01:17:19|A police investigation into allegations of sexual assault involving Sydney Swans players has dominated the news this week, and sparked a national debate over the way the issue has been reported in the media.Os and Scott break down the story, discuss some of the appalling media coverage and talk about why sports media consistently seems to get it wrong. They also look the challenges of reporting on a rapidly evolving legal issue, how misinformation spreads, and the broader issues around sports culture in Australia.Then they discuss the pro-Israel lobby's attempts to ban a book from a Sydney library, and the related meltdown high profile pro-Israel figures are having over the Royal Commission.In Keeping Tabs: How media outlet had their comments section hijacked by racist vigilantes, and a look at Labor's deals with the Coalition on gambling ad reform and slashing the NDIS.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTubeInformation and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse is available at Full Stop Australia - 1800 385 578.
How a Media Pile-On Ended Jason Arday's Life. Plus, AOC and the 'Woke' Debate
54:59|Os and Scott talk through the hints suggesting Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez might be running for President, Donald Trump's reaction, and the debate around "wokeness" she's kicked off.They break down the successes the left-wing of the Democrats have had in recent elections and discuss whether that kind of political resurgence could happen in Australia.Then they step through the tragic story of former Cambridge professor Jason Arday. They unpack his meteoric rise, the genesis of the campaign against him, and how to draw the line between fair reporting and a media pile-on.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube
A Nepo Baby Tantrum, Census Culture Wars, and a Melon-Gate Investigation
01:08:43|Os and Scott begin by discussing the drama around Crikey's article on media nepo babies and the intense debate it sparked on Instagram, involving multiple celebrities.Next, they unpack the international incident involving Anthony Albanese, Japan's PM, two melons and a raunchy podcast, and look at the media outlets whipping up the frenzy. Then they review Kyle Sandiland's first episode of his new subscriber-only show, look at the News Corp hit pieces on Massive Attack, and break down all the misinformation and controversy around the census, including the lobbying campaigns of Christian groups.Finally, they talk through the big political issues in Parliament this week including gambling ad reform, and what it reveals about the media's influence on politics.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTubeArticles mentioned in this episode:Sanae Takaichi: The prime minister nobody defendedPM’s sexist melon joke was not only ungracious, it betrayed the close bond of our two nationsSexist melon haters: Japan’s social media fires up over Albanese gaffeAnti-Israel band sparks outrage ahead of Melbourne showMassive Attack Australian tour misfires amid information overloadThe BibleGreens, Coalition may not support Labor’s tech tax changesAlbanese, Taylor hammer out deals on gambling and tech, but ignore Howard’s last-ditch plea