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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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Os and Scott discuss the revelations that the US government has ordered its embassies all over the world, including in Australia, to influence news outlets and social media and oppose "anti-American propaganda". They talk about why Australia's journalists remain almost exclusively pro-US, despite Donald Trump's erratic, violent and corrupt presidency, and how that homogeneity is stifling our national conversation.

Later in the show, they break down the Albanese government's proposed reforms around gambling advertising and why they are so much weaker than what advocates have been asking for. They unpack efforts by big media companies to lobby against a gambling ad ban, and explain how the proposed new laws could make things worse.

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Os and Scott react to the Prime Minister's address to the nation and look at what Anthony Albanese actually said that warranted the most dramatic intervention into TV networks since the Covid pandemic in 2020.

Also in today's episode, they unpack the overwhelmingly negative responses to the government's fuel excise tax cut and discuss why the PM seems so reluctant to take more serious action, even as countries around the world are announcing more significant stimulus measures.

Plus, a discussion about the reaction to the killing of Dezi Freeman and why some public figures felt comfortable celebrating his death at the hands of police, even as details about the stand-off and shooting remain murky.

And later in the show, they examine the National Press Club's decision to platform Israel's ambassador and how that exposes the organisation's hypocrisy. In Keeping Tabs, Scott spots an interview the ABC conducted with one of the figures featured in the Epstein files thousands of times. Was he asked about his relationship to Jeffrey Epstein? You'll never believe the answer.

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Articles mentioned in this episode:

Eight snipers and a fatal choice: The high-stakes tactic that cornered Freeman

National Press Club statement on withdrawal of invitation to Russia's ambassador

Kharg Island could be Iran's weak spot as Washington reportedly considers ground invasion options

DN and Lamestream's latest reporting on Jeffrey Epstein

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Os and Scott look at whether the war on Iran is getting closer to an endgame, or if Donald Trump is actually going to launch an invasion. They discuss the different forces shaping Trump's approach, what Israel is doing to prevent an end to the war, and break down why the continual targeting of journalists by Israel is indicative of a new world order where international law has no meaning.

Later, they unpack the growing economic and political crisis in Australi and why the Albanese government seems unable to deliver to take the steps necessary to protect ordinary people.

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Articles mentioned in this episode:

Albanese’s caution is fuelling unease. This may be his COVID moment

‘Needless secrecy’: Government resolves to be upfront over fuel crisis

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Os and Scott examine why the Australian government is responding so slowly to the energy crisis, compared to other countries, even though they have acknowledge how dire things are going to get. They discuss the role political journalists play in holding the government to account, and how this particular government attempts to influence coverage.

Next, they look at Israel's announcement it is formally occupying southern Lebanon and discuss why there doesn't seem to any kind of outcry or backlash to the news in Australia, in the media or from the public.

Later in the show, they Os and Scott discuss the fortunes of the Greens and share emails from listeners who think the party has become too timid. They discuss the party's trajectory since the election, why insurgent left-wing movements are thriving overseas but not in Australia, what could change, and the role the media plays in setting the terms of the political conversation.

Finally, they break down the ABC's first strike in 20 years, talking about what led to it, how it played out on the day and what it reveals about how badly the broadcaster is currently being run.

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Articles mentioned in this episode:

The Guardian: Israel says it will seize parts of southern Lebanon as ‘defensive buffer’

SMH: ‘Security zone’: Israeli military plans to occupy swath of southern Lebanon

AFR: Albanese urges US to end war as petrol fears grow

The Guardian: Without some serious soul searching, the Greens will never move beyond the 10% plateau

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Os and Scott break down the significance of One Nation's record-high result at the South Australian election over the weekend and what it means for Australian politics and how it's covered. They step through what results reveal about the fracturing of the political system, how they show that One Nation is now the second most popular party in the country, and review the media's coverage of the election and One Nation.

Then they provide an update on the latest in the wars on Lebanon and Iran, and look at the significance of the Australian government warning about an impending economic shock heading our way that could be as bad as the global financial crisis or the pandemic. They discuss why the government still isn't being asked the right questions about Australia's involvement in the war, or about what they doing to protect people from the financial turbulence heading our way.

Finally, they look at the coverage of Anthony Albanese's visit to a mosque last week, that ended with him being heckled and escorted out.

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Os and Scott look at how Trump and Israel's war on Iran is spiralling out of control and threatening to derail what's left of the global order on trade and diplomacy. Then they dig into Israel's invasion and occupation of Lebanon and look at why the Australian media is so reluctant to call it an invasion.

Later in the show, they look at the confected media controversies around the Sydney Biennale and the allegations the AFL and Sydney Swans are anti-Semitic and should be investigated by the Bondi Royal Commission.

Plus, a belated farewell to David Littleproud, a discussion over whether these leadership changes will have any impact on the Coalition's vote, and The Saturday Paper loses a star reporter.

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Os and Scott look at some of the key narratives that are missing or being downplayed in the media's coverage of the war on Iran, including Israel's invasion of Lebanon and the US' targeting of a school in Iran, which led to one of the worst atrocities in a modern war Australia is involved in.

Then they look at the surprise resignation of former ASIO boss Dennis Richardson from the Bondi Royal Commission, what led to it and what it means for the future of the inquiry.

Plus, Lamestream has an official Discord! On Monday, from 11:00am, Os and Scott will be live-blogging the Oscars ceremony for Lamestream subscribers on Discord.

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As the war on Iran spirals into a global catastrophe, Os and Scott look at Anthony Albanese's decision to commit Australia's military to the conflict. They discuss how Albanese has become Trump and Israel's most reliable ally, what our military commitment really means and why Australia's political journalists still seem so uninterested in asking serious questions.

They also examine the coverage of Iran's women soccer team and the players who sought asylum in Australia, as well as the new laws being rushed through parliament to prevent any further Iranians from seeking refuge in Australia.

Then, they review the ABC's new 'National Forum', the successor to Q+A. They talk about how the show failed to engage the audience by playing it safe with predictable guests, and didn't present a diversity of views.

In Keeping Tabs, Scott looks at the rumours that Karl Stefanovic could be set to replace Kyle Sandilands on commercial radio, and Os breaks down why Australian critics are so confused about the Oscar-nominated film 'The Voice of Hind Rajab'.

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Os and Scott begin the show with a very special 'clarification' and discuss how the Sydney Morning Herald hit the jackpot with a group of private school students stuck in Dubai.

Then, they talk about the latest shocking news from the Iran war, before a deep dive into the story of three Australians who were aboard a submarine that sunk and Iranian warship.

After that, they look back on one of the wildest pieces of journalism every published, the three-part front page series that told us that by now Australia would likely be at war with China. It's a very special conversation about 'Red Alert'.

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