We Used to be Journos

Jan Fran and Antoinette expose the false narrative that the multicultural Sydney suburb of Lakemba is a hotbed of systemic NDIS fraud. We trace where this racist narrative kicked off, which media outlets fueled it and how the main figure is off by approximately 8000%. Also, why free-to-air TV networks and certain newspapers are not happy with Albanese's gambling ad reforms.And Jan and Antoinette agree that Donald Trump’s latest social post is extremely unhinged but disagree on how the media should cover it. Plus: Jay Rosen's Trump reporting toolkit that could save journalism, and why Uncommon Ground podcast proves listening to people you trust (and like) matters.LinkedIn article by demographer Brian Cooper de-bunking NDIS fraud is here. Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.If you want to see our mugs as we yap you can watch the episode in full here.Thanks to @jaidanielpyne for composing the music for our podcast.

It’s been one month since Queensland passed unprecedented hate speech laws which banned the phrases ‘from the river to the sea’ and ‘globalise the intifada’. Jan Fran takes a look at what these laws are really about, why artists are getting phone calls from cops and what the wider ramifications are. Hint: they’re not good. Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.If you want to see our mugs as we yap you can watch the episode in full here.Thanks to @jaidanielpyne for composing the music for our podcast.

Jan and Antoinette watch Israel’s ambassador address the National Press Club and assess how hard the journalists in the room worked to push back against the blatant hasbara. Plus: What is the Atlas Network and what does it have to do with climate mis and disinformation in Australia? A Senate report helps us answer that question. And applause for the writer's festival that stood its ground under pressure to disinvite a Palestinian author. SUPPORT ETTE MEDIA by becoming a subscriber here.WATCH US ON YOUTUBE in full here.Thanks to @jaidanielpyne for composing the music for our podcast.

Only Fran (OF) hit a lil logistical speed bump this week.The Ette duo will be in your ears on Wednesday with We Used To Be Journos - then Saturday OF is back.

In this episode, Jan Fran and Antoinette look at the role the media played in One Nation’s South Australian election surge and ask how should the media report on Hanson moving forward? Plus: the Aussie news site pumping out hundreds of timely and factual news stories with zero journalists - just one software engineer and a whole lot of theft (and A.I). Then, how much sway did Rupert Murdoch have over Donald Trump’s attack on Iran? We unpack how Murdoch’s ideology trickles down to his reporters.Also, ABC staff walk off the job for the first time in 20 years. What’s behind the strike—and what on earth is the “Lattouf clause”?READ Alex Fein's article 'Polarisation is a myth' SUPPORT Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.If you want to see our mugs as we yap you can watch the episode in full here.

In this particularly personal episode of Only Fran, Jan Fran reflects on what it's been like as a Lebanese-Australian watching Israel's invasion of Lebanon this week.She talks about her state of mind, shares some things you probably didn't know about Lebanon and examines the response from Australia’s government, who are not only failing to condemn Israel's invasion, but gaslighting Muslims who booed Anthony Albanese and Tony Burke at a Sydney mosque.Note: Although the poem is often mistakingly attributed to Maya Angelou, it was actually written by Rita Wehbe.Producer: Antoinette LattoufSupport Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.

In this episode Jan Fran and Antoinette examine the devastating attacks on Lebanon and the Lebanese population - and why local media coverage has been strangely quiet.We dive into Louis Theroux’s Netflix exploration of the internet’s most toxic - and successful - “manosphere” influencers: what landed, and what was missing.We also tackle the rumour mill around wanted war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu (including the six-finger theory).And a rare moment of praise for the Australian Communications and Media Authority after its long-overdue move against shock jock Kyle Sandilands.Follow Lebanese-British journalist Hala Jaber’s substack.Follow American photojournalist Courtney Bonneau living in south Lebanon on instagram.Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.If you want to see our mugs as we yap you can watch the episode in full here.Thanks to @jaidanielpyne for composing the music for our podcast.

In this new Saturday break out series, Only Fran, Jan Fran picks an issue of the week that is living rent free in her head. Right now, it's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke's decision to grant asylum to some members of the Iranian women's soccer team, while passing legislation that prevents people from conflict and crisis-affected countries from visiting Australia.So ... while Burke is patting himself on the back for doing a thing, Labor’s moving legislation that prevents the thing he’s patting himself on the back for doing …from happening.Producer: Antoinette LattoufSupport Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.If you want to see our mugs as we yap you can watch the episode in full here.Thanks to @jaidanielpyne for composing the music for our podcast.

In this episode, Jan Fran and Antoinette ask whether the TV panel discussion show has run its course. They unpack ABC’s National Forum - a discussion that felt like host David Speers was walking on eggshells - with topics and trauma that may be too complex for the format to handle. Also this week: the escalating standoff between the government and Pornhub over age-verification laws, and why we’re already seeing the slippery slope that comes with the Queensland Government banning the slogans “globalise the intifada” and “from the river to the sea.”Plus what is QuitGPT and what does it have to do with weapons and Jan finds herself befuddled by Tucker Carlson’s podcast ads. Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.If you want to see our mugs as we yap you can watch the episode in full here.Thanks to @jaidanielpyne for composing the music for our podcast.