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Keir Starmer announced earlier this year that he would reduce the aid budget to 0.3% of national income, from 0.5%, to fund increased spending on defence. But according to the government’s own impact assessment, Labour’s deep aid cuts will hit children’s education and reduce spending in women’s health.

Why are women worse affected by aid cuts? Because crisis is sexist. When disaster strikes, women are 14 times more likely to die than men. In Gaza, UN analysis showed close to 70% of verified victims over a six-month period were women and children. But women are also underrepresented in decision-making about how aid is distributed, and so the solutions rarely reflect this.

In this episode recorded 2023, Media Storm partnered with the International Rescue Committee to platform the lived experience of women in disaster zones— not just as victims, but as leaders of solutions. The IRC makes a conscious effort to place women at the centre of emergency responses, and has connected us with pioneers in Yemen, Pakistan and the world’s biggest refugee camp: Kakuma, in Kenya. We also hear voices from Afghanistan, Nigeria and North American indigenous communities, who reveal how conflict and climate change disproportionately impact women and girls.

We were then joined in the studio by actress and Amnesty ambassador Nazanin Boniadi, to look at how a male-dominated mainstream media and Eurocentric headlines can hide the realities facing women of the world. We look at the unique case of Iran, where women have revolted following the state murder of Mahsa Amini in 2022, and the press’ crucial role in fighting for human rights for everybody.

The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mathildamall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Helena Wadia (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@helenawadia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) 

The music is by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @soundofsamfire⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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This week on News Watch: Spot the omissions and exaggerations in right-wing coverage of NHS doctors’ strikes. Why are some outlets pushing misleading narratives, and what has it got to do with the wealth tax? We seek out the voices missing from The Telegraph’s reports (doctors), and revisit our interview with trade union Secretary General Mick Whelan on how class works in our media.

Next: Zohran Mamdani’s been caught out by the New York Post… or has he? We look at the rampant Islamophobia surfacing after the mayoral candidate’s Democratic nomination, and ask why anti-Muslim hatred is one of the most socially permitted forms of bigotry in the Western world.

Plus - did you read about the Afghan data leak that endangered some 100,000 people living under Taliban rule? More likely, you read about the 'secret scheme' threatening covert immigration to the UK. Here’s how the British press made it all about them.

And Japan’s far-right Sanseito party made unprecedented gains in Sunday’s election. Journalist Shiori Clark reacts to their ‘Japanese First’ campaign mantra, and the counter-movement behind Japan’s first ever participation in World Refugee Week.

The episode ends with Eyes on Palestine: Why does Sky News keep publishing Israeli army excuses for mass child killings as fact?

The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mathildamall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Helena Wadia (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@helenawadia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) 

The music is by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @soundofsamfire⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Ever heard of a war reporter? You could probably even name a few… perhaps you’ve even seen them played on the big screen by Hollywood movie stars.

Now tell us - have you ever heard of a fixer? Could you name a single one?

This episode, Media Storm dives into the complex ethics and murky dynamics of war reporting with former foreign correspondent Phoebe Greenwood and Palestinian journalist and former fixer, Abeer Ayyoub.

When mostly white, middle class, overseas journalists get more pay, more recognition, and more protection than local collaborators, but often take on less risk and work, is that any better than racism?

Is there a value to detached, outsider perspectives, or an inability to truly understand the lived realities of war? How sinister is western bias in the context of foreign conflict? And what does it say when the story is more important than the people left behind to live it?

From the abandonment of Afghan interpreters, to the overlooked mass murder of Palestinian journalists; from kidnaps in Tigray, to smuggler violence in Dunkirk - we look at the dark side of a profession that is rightly held in high regard for its services to truth, but whitewashed, glamourised, and little understood.

You can buy Phoebe Greenwood's new novel, Vulture, here.

The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mathildamall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Helena Wadia (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@helenawadia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) 

The music is by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @soundofsamfire⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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This week, we look at the outcome of the case against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in the US - and how evidence of domestic abuse, coercive control, and power dynamics were ignored and misunderstood with the help of our media. We also discuss those viral videos of fans queuing to see Chris Brown, a convicted abuser, on the same week he stands trial for Grievous Bodily Harm.

After the break, welfare is taking a bashing on both sides of the Atlantic. But did you know the UK and US already fall far down the rankings when it comes to state benefits? Labour has been ridiculed for yet another ‘U-turn’, as benefit cuts are reversed and Rachel Reeves’ crying face is plastered on every front page. Is it the ableism of the U-turn coverage, or the sexism or the Reeves coverage, that’ll win this week’s media storm prize?

We end with Eyes on Palestine - has the world had the wool pulled over its eyes by Netanyahu's "new aid plan"?

The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mathildamall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Helena Wadia (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@helenawadia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) 

The music is by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @soundofsamfire⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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'What is a woman?'

The question that has plagued British media and politicians over the past decade culminated in a Supreme Court ruling that declared ‘womanhood’ was based on biological sex. Now, finally, WE KNOW WHAT A WOMAN IS.

Headlines told us this was a historical moment for women and feminism, but with misogyny becoming more and more mainstream and male violence on the rise, what has the ruling actually achieved? Three months on, Media Storm compares the real-life impact of the Supreme Court ruling and the impact promised by the British press - and assesses whether this biological definition has brought clarity or chaos.

Bridging the binary divide between cis and trans women presented in mainstream media, Helena and Mathilda are joined by Katy Montgomerie, YouTuber, metalhead, and trans rights activist.

What is a woman? Why is this question so dominant in today’s political climate? When did the obsession begin? Who has gained a lot… and who has gained nothing?

The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (⁠⁠⁠⁠@mathildamall⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Helena Wadia (⁠⁠⁠⁠@helenawadia⁠⁠⁠⁠) 

Researchers: Lily Erwood and Teagan Gray

The music is by⁠⁠⁠⁠ @soundofsamfire⁠⁠⁠⁠

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As the US military intervenes in another Middle East conflict, we’re told it’s because Iran is harbouring weapons of mass destruction (in contradiction to US intelligence). We’re also told forced regime change will ‘liberate’ women from Islamic tyranny. WMDs? Operation Freedom? Haven’t we heard these justifications before? To start, we look at lessons for the media from the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and re-centre Iranian women in debates about their fates.

After the break: ‘NOTHING IS OFF LIMITS’ in Johnny Depp’s new exclusive with the Sunday Times… except the most important question. How this ‘poor me’ piece legitimises abusers’ victimhood narratives, and attempts to delegitimise the Me Too movement.

And finally, the UK government has moved to proscribe ‘Palestine Action’ as a terrorist organisation for spray-painting RAF planes. Media Storm questions why we need anti-terror laws on top of regular anti-crime laws, and whether politicising justice can ever be in the public interest.

The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (⁠⁠⁠@mathildamall⁠⁠⁠) and Helena Wadia (⁠⁠⁠@helenawadia⁠⁠⁠) 

Assistant producer: Lily Erwood

The music is by⁠⁠⁠ @soundofsamfire⁠⁠⁠

Support us on⁠⁠⁠ Patreon⁠⁠⁠!

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This week is Refugee Week, a time to celebrate the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. And here at Media Storm, we can't do it without delving into media hypocrisy when reporting on the group. Why do closed borders not work - and why, in the face of hard evidence, do politicians still continue to ignore the facts and figures on displacement? 

We’re joined in the studio by Ugandan model and transgender refugee rights activist, ⁠Amanda Kamanda⁠, and Iranian Refugee Olympic athlete, ⁠Dorsa Yavarivafa⁠. They tell us about the importance of LGBTQ+ refugee protection and the power of sport to create community. In contrast, we cover the rise of homophobia and transphobia in the West, and specifically in media coverage of migration.

After the break, we turn our focus onto the US where anti-ICE protests embody the theme of this week’s Refugee Week: ‘Community as a Superpower’. And as we approach the one-year anniversary of UK riots after the Southport stabbing, our guests also respond to Keir Starmer’s ‘Island of Strangers’ speech. 

The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (⁠⁠⁠@mathildamall⁠⁠⁠) and Helena Wadia (⁠⁠⁠@helenawadia⁠⁠⁠) 

The music is by⁠⁠⁠ @soundofsamfire⁠⁠⁠

Support us on⁠⁠⁠ Patreon⁠⁠⁠!

Follow us on⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky⁠⁠⁠, and⁠⁠⁠ TikTok

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It's time for another News Watch, helping you get your head around the headlines.

Locals face-off law enforcement in LA, as Trump sends the military to flatten (or fan up) protests. Meanwhile, Western media are dodging terms like ‘authoritarian’ better than their reporters are dodging police bullets.

Assisted dying is back in the headlines as legalisation goes through UK and France’s parliaments. Disabled people and terminally ill people are often pitched on opposite sides of the debate: how do we elevate both communities’ voices, without pitting minorities against each other?

Freedom Flotilla or "selfie yacht"? Humanitarian aid or vanity stunt? Whatever you think of Greta Thunberg and the Madleen crew, it doesn’t change the fact that Gaza is under siege. If the media’s so sick of Greta’s selfies, perhaps they could cover the story behind the ‘stunt’?

ALSO: tune in to hear about Helena’s smear test and the show’s working titles before it became ‘Media Storm’...

Buy Rachel Charlton-Dailey's book, Ramping Up Rights.

The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (⁠⁠@mathildamall⁠⁠) and Helena Wadia (⁠⁠@helenawadia⁠⁠) 

The music is by⁠⁠ @soundofsamfire⁠⁠

Support us on⁠⁠ Patreon⁠⁠!

Follow us on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠,⁠⁠ Bluesky⁠⁠, and⁠⁠ TikTok

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How do we 'cancel' Fascism without censorship? Can we protect free speech as well as fact-checking?

This week, something different: we dive deep into social justice theory and question how to actually achieve it.

Media Storm brings missing expert voices into the conversation. These are normally people with lived experience, but as politics becomes evermore polarised, we sought out a world-class philosopher to help us rise above partisanship and understand the core questions driving division.

AC Grayling is Master of the New College of the Humanities and has written and edited over 30 books. But he does not see philosophy as an ivory tower practice, rather a useful subject for real life implementation. We put that to the test.

The episode is produced and presented by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall). The music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire).

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Let’s talk about how the media is fuelling the rise of Reform.

This is not a new topic. The News Agents called it a "lefty cop-out" to blame the media for the rise of Reform. But what about the media cop-outs? What about the media's refusal to change, even as the Far-Right returns to the mainstream?

The truth, Media Storm argues, is this: our media did not just fuel the rise of Reform, they cashed in on it.

So on this week's episode, while Mathilda struggles with corrupted live show audio (sorry), we bring you a special audio article on the topic instead, and introduce you to the Media Storm column in Byline Times - out every Friday.

This episode is produced and presented by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall). The music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire).

Support Media Storm on Patreon, and follow the column on Byline Times.

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