We Used to be Journos

Epizodes

• Pauline’s poll for PM, mysterious media silence over young woman’s death + radio boss gropes woman 02.06.2026 1h 1min

  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."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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• ONLY FRAN: Forget a new Teal party, where are the Greens? 29.05.2026 16min

  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Flotilla activist abuse coverage, BTS at Sydney Writers Festival + is James the 'good Murdoch'? 26.05.2026 1h 8min

  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. BUY Women Who Win here.JOIN ONLINE BOOK CLUB event with Australia Institute this Friday.SUPPORT Ette Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• ONLY FRAN: Pauline Hanson’s gas grift (plus her other grifts too) 22.05.2026 19min

  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.SUPPORT ETTE MEDIA by becoming a subscriber here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Ash Sarkar on how to scale independent media and have real impact 19.05.2026 43min

  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.Subscribe to Ette Media to support independent media.Follow Ash Sarkar on Instagram.Buy her book Minority Rule. Shout out to Triple R 102.7FM, Melbourne Independent Radio for hosting us in their studios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Responding to the comments section 12.05.2026 37min

  In this episode Jan and Antoinette respond directly to feedback from the Etterati.We answer questions about the language used to describe certain “regimes,” balance in journalism, why we talk about Gaza and whether we laugh too much about dark subject matters. Plus: what happens when journalists we’ve scrutinised reach out directly? As a media platform built on critiquing journalism and power, we ask how should we handle criticism of our own work?This is a candid conversation about accountability, truth and what drives us to do the work we do.Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.Antoinette’s book Women Who Win is here. If you want to see our mugs as we yap you can watch the episode in full here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• ONLY FRAN: Influencers v journalists: same same but different this budget lock up 08.05.2026 17min

  This week, Jan Fran examines the Albanese government’s attempt to sell its federal budget like a brand campaign — inviting influencers to pitch for access to the budget lock-up alongside journalists. It’s also an exploration of the line between “newsfluencers” and journalists, and what that means for political media in Australia.Become a subscriber of Ette Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Women Who Win and how the media shapes their legacy 05.05.2026 39min

  In this special episode of We Used To Be Journos, Antoinette unpacks her new book Women Who Win through the lens of media literacy, power and representation.Yes, they get into Antoinette’s own headline-making battle — but this episode goes far beyond one story. Drawing on interviews with 30 women, alongside the stories of trailblazing Australian women no longer with us, the conversation explores how women in public life are framed by the media during their fights, their failures, and even their victories.From media smears to myth-making, this is a conversation about power, narrative control, and the women who kept going anyway.GRAB A COPY Women Who Win.MEET ANTOINETTE ON HER book tour across Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne Perth, Margaret River and Sydney.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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• ONLY FRAN: Why I trust Tucker Carlson even less after his Trump apology 01.05.2026 20min

  Tucker Carlson has apologised for the role he played in helping bring Donald Trump to power. In this episode of Only Fran, Jan explain why she's have always been suss on him and remains so… even after this apology and maybe even more so now because of it. Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Trump shooting conspiracies, Tele lashes anti-war Gen Z, media quiet as Aboriginal women cop it 28.04.2026 45min

  In this episode, Jan and Antoinette discuss the lead up to the White House correspondents’ dinner and the hundreds of US journalists who protested his presence there …albeit in a very polite way. They also note living in Trump’s post-truth world as conspiracies abound about the shooting incident that took place that evening. Plus, we’ve noted four incidents of Aboriginal women and girls dying in prisons or being assaulted by cops in W.A, all in the last five weeks, not that you’d hear about it much in the east coast press. Plus the Tele’s editor doesn't let statistics get in the way of a good story as he rails against Gen Z for being anti-war.BUY Women Who Win book: Link to The PointLink to Ben English video and Courier Mail articleSupport 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.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• ONLY FRAN: "Gaza war drove Bondi shooter to terror" 24.04.2026 9min

  In this episode, Jan Fran unpacks a Nine newspapers article headlined “Authorities suspect Gaza war drove Bondi shooter to terror,” interrogating the framing, editorial choices and implications of an investigation built largely on insinuation rather than evidence. She examines how the piece invites readers to draw conclusions about those who care about human rights in Gaza with extremism - and what that kind of speculative framing means for public discourse in Australia after the Bondi attack. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Seven’s renewables hit job, Iran’s AI Lego war spin + Roberts-Smith 'breaks silence' 21.04.2026 58min

  Jan Fran and Antoinette unpack claims Iran is winning the propaganda war - thanks to AI Lego and diss tracks going viral.Meanwhile Jan goes to war with the phrase “breaks silence” (Ben Roberts-Smith edition) and the clickbait line that refuses to die.Plus, a takedown of Seven News’ renewable energy “exposé” - and the fossil fuel interests it skips over.Also, a shout out to some pitch-perfect satire of government statements that say everything and nothing, and a former BBC journo spelling out why normal journalism falls apart when covering Trump.Women Who Win: Antoinette’s new book.Women Who Win:  tour in Canberra, Perth, Margaret River, Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne.Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• ONLY FRAN: WTF is Angus Taylor's immigration policy really about? 17.04.2026 19min

  This week, federal Opposition Leader Angus Taylor unveiled an immigration policy built on “values” and, well… values according to who?Jan Fran sat through the whole speech so you don’t have to, and let’s just say the logic didn’t quite make it through customs. So what’s it actually about?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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• BONUS: The Murdoch media’s campaign against Dr Randa Abdel- Fattah 15.04.2026 33min

  In this bonus episode, Antoinette shares the findings of an exclusive investigation into the Murdoch media’s sustained smear campaign against Dr Abdel-Fattah.The data, gathered in partnership with analyst and mathematician Dr Richard Bean, points to relentless coverage, loaded language, and front-page attacks targeting the Palestinian-Egyptian academic. We break down the figures, the headlines, and reveal the one newspaper that has published HUNDREDS of articles about Dr Abdel-Fattah in two and a half years, four times the amount of some of its competitors.Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah’s new book Discipline. Write a letter to The Australian newspaper letters@theaustralian.com.au 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Albanese can’t say ‘Lebanese’, Hasan Piker drama + whistleblower David McBride’s missing media moment 14.04.2026 1h

  In this episode Jan and Antoinette unpack why the US political and media establishment is losing its mind over left-wing streamer Hasan Piker and what this case tells us about the shifting tides of power in America.Plus, we look at Anthony Albanese’s borderline offensive answer to a journalist's question about Lebanese-Australians; imprisoned whistleblower David McBride’s missing media moment and the headline journey of a story on Israeli settlers that got wilder each time it was republished.   We also shout out the Saturday Paper’s for its coverage of the NT’s climate calamity that’s left hundreds if not thousands of Aboriginal people in brutal evacuation shelters. (Check out A. Parkinson instagram photography)Antoinette’s new book ‘Women Who Win’ can be found here.Her book tour event dates across Perth, Margaret River, Canberra, Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne can be found 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• ONLY FRAN: Penny Wong is 'deeply concerned' 10.04.2026 18min

  In this episode of Only Fran, Fran takes a look at Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong's response to the Lebanon massacre - or "humanitarian crisis" as she puts it. Jan examines Wongs now familiar rhetoric, the media's apathy towards the slaughtered Lebanese civilians and whether our Australia's leaders will ever be anything other than "deeply concerned".You can read Michael West Media's investigation into government grants to F35 suppliers 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Lakemba NDIS lie, media’s gambling ad addiction, Trump’s unhinged… again 07.04.2026 59min

  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• ONLY FRAN: One month into QLD’s hate speech laws 03.04.2026 16min

  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Israeli ambassador’s press club propaganda, Atlas Network’s climate campaign + Kyle in court 31.03.2026 1h 1min

  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• ONLY FRAN: A quick note 27.03.2026 1min

  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.