We Used to be Journos

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!

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: 131114Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here. 0:00 Subscriptions 30% off + Miss Kaninna bonus episode2:37 What's on the show?6:08 Albanese's Kylie Minogue comment: who leaked this story?14:35 Bob Vylan sues BBC: is criticism of Israel antisemitic?23:01 What is the "rape gang inquiry"? Grooming gangs report explained28:10 Who is Rupert Lowe? The man behind the controversial report35:00 Years of coverage of group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse44:02 Elon Musk & grooming gangs: why is he targeting Starmer?55:50 Mamamia's Karl Stefanovic coverage: his wife did NOT become the story1:01:30 Taylor Swift's wedding: why is everyone covering the coverage?

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. 

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.

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. 

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.Grab a discounted Tshirt here.Use the code WIN10 for 27% of RRP on ‘Women Who Win’ at Booktopia.

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. 

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.