Opheads

In 2019, after the MAS party won the Bolivian general election, the now exonerated President Evo Morales was ousted in a soft coup after claims of election fraud. The U.S encouraged the election fraud narrative, backing the controversial appointment of interim President Jeanine Áñez and promoting studies by the OAS (later debunked) enforcing this claim, 

So, considering Morales' famous anti-U.S sentiment, among claims of further U.S/C.I.A involvement within the countries instability, how did the media discuss the issue?

On the second episode of two, Zeb, Coward and Rachael pinpoint the press narrative, covering a wide span of media, the message and exploring the motivations behind it. Also delving further into reporting around the BLM movement by looking at reporting on Kyle Rittenhouse plus the story of Jackie Chan vs. Hong Kong (brought to you by b3st friend of the show @mx.millhaus)

Is Kyle Rittenhouse a terrorist? Why some the Democracy movement hate Jackie Chan? How are the media talking about Bolivia?

Find out, on Opheads!

Notes and more at:
www.cowardspace.com/opheads/episode12

Ep 11. U.S Media & Protest Movements - Part 1: (Hong Kong, BLM)

in 2019, in the context of a sudden surge widespread Mass protests in South America, the Middle East and all over the world, the U.S Press focussed its attention on one, the fight in Hong Kong to rid itself of a controversial extradition bill. 
U.S Politicians demanded aid, intervention and even on Fox News calling for solidarity with “The kids that little more than 240 years ago were our founding fathers” (Brigadier Gen. Robert Spalding).

One year later, a global mass-protest movement exploded, starting within the country itself after the murder of George Floyd. A movement fighting for justice, police reform and meaningful change to the racism that fuelled the systems within the country. 
Did the media see things differently?

On the first episode of two, Zeb, Coward and Rachael pinpoint the difference between these two press narratives, covering a wide span of media, the message and exploring the motivations behind it. On the next episode, delving even further into the media, the U.S.A and the apposing worlds it creates.

Why did Hong Kong want Trump? What exactly is a Tankie? Do the media favour the Police?

Find out, on Opheads!

Researched material from: 18:20

Thank you to @naal for this weeks read out!!

Notes and more at:

www.cowardspace.com/opheads/episode11

Episode 10. Poland, Propaganda and the PiS

The PiS Party in Poland is a hyper conservative Catholic Government that had been in power since 2015. In that time the President, Andrzej Duda, has persecuted LGBTQI+ people, women and left wing activists also criminalising abortion against the wishes of almost 80% of the Polish voters. The government has used a range of far right tactics to achieve total control such as imprisonment of protestors, installing government-friendly judges and seizing control of the public media, or in their own opinion, re-claiming it from the hands of the left. 

On this episode Zeb, Coward and Rachael delve into PiS party propaganda, drawing from Polish Public Tv, international media and look at the complicated history of the far right in the country.

Have German media companies controlled the news in Poland? Is there really such a thing as 'left wing fascism'? Who is Janusz Korwin-Mikke, and why did he go viral?

Find out, on Opheads!

Researched material from: 25mins

Special thanks to Ania Kostrzewa for providing translations and guidance, and the lovely Bernice Murphy for this weeks readouts.

Research notes available at:
www.cowardspace.com/opheads/episode10

Recommendations for further research: 
Corner Späti interview with Hanna Grzeskiewicz from the Polish queer feminist collective:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1RgdWRYwM1nn23aJF3uV49?si=GROZzi6jSU-lYp8XjCEPpQ&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=ig_stories 

Are you relaxed or what!?

You will be after this care free episode! Zeb, Rachael and Coward invite you to sit back, chill out and sip on your favourite aperitif and allow us to indulge ourselves as we catch up on some updates, waste your time, and touch on Australia's favourite weird news fact - The Great Emu War of 1932

What do we all prefer for breakfast? We know you've been dying to know...

Find out, on Opheads

This topic was submitted by mx.millhaus!
If you have a suggestion for an episode, or want to follow our updates and show notes head to
www.cowardspace.com/opheads

(Emu content from 45mins) 

The 'African Gang Crisis' in Melbourne is widely recognised as an invention by Australian police and media, while to some it remains a very real threat, who even after Victoria Police admitted to it being a far less pressing issue with very little factual basis continues to occupy the paranoia of many Australians. The targeted groups are the subject of much racism, along with accusations of 'a lack of integration' even from several of the country's prominent politicians.

What are the people in question facing? How hard is it to really integrate? And who, if anyone, makes up the controversial Apex Gang?

Find out, on Opheads!

Shownotes: www.cowardspace.com/opheads/episode08

Researched Content:
17:50

Episode 7. Looking Back at the Gilets Jaunes - Yellow Vest Movement

The Yellow Vests exploded into the public consciousness back at the end of 2018, sparked by a supposed 'green' initiative taking the form of a fuel tax and increases in the prices of power and gas. The movement quickly grew into a class movement, demanding fair taxation of the wealthy, the end of establishment politics and the right for the lower classes to be heard in the national conversation that had been steadily forgetting about them over the course of the past 50 years.

In this episode, Coward, Rachael and Zeb examine Macron's policies, the unique ideological identities of the movement, and the Gilets Jaunes complicated and hostile relationship with the French media. Join us as we look back at the Yellow Vest movement and see how it began, what it turned into and what it looks like now.

For researched content only, head to 14:15

Shownotes: www.cowardspace.com/opheads/episode07

The #FreeBritney movement aims to free the singer from her highly controversial conservatorship that she was subjected to after her tragic and widely scrutinised breakdown in 2007. Once referred to by her lawyer as a 'hybrid business model', the precarious and seemingly unbreakable legal pact robs her of all autonomy and puts her into the hands of a revolving cast of so called 'guardians', most notably her estranged father Jamie Spears. According to some reports, the singer is not allowed to speak of her legal situation, perform live, access her own money, or even use her mobile phone. After exploding online, an army of dedicated fans aim to uncover the truth, pouring over her social media posts and interviews for hidden messages and clues. 
⠀
Can this all really be legal? How responsible is the media? What is Britney really trying to tell us? 

Find out, on Opheads!

For researched content only head to: 19:10

Shownotes: www.cowardspace.com/opheads/episode06

A slow-boiling animosity between the two countries exploded again last year in a bloody and vicious war, largely ignored by the UN and agitated by local Imperial states. Even after peace-talks the two nations find themselves even further apart after the second large scale conflict for the contested region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
We explore the difference between western and independent media, what is reported and what is disregarded.

What part do foreign powers play? Why is the conflict so widely ignored?  Is the war over for good? The Opheads team investigates this and more.

For researched content only head to 13min56sec

Shownotes: www.cowardspace.com/opheads/episode05

JK Rowling broke all publishing records with Harry Potter. The books, films and the Wizarding-World have inspired and touched people of all ages around the world. In light of her recent transphobic tweets and essays, we delve into her history, the reaction of the fans and who defends her.

Where did this culture arise from? What does she really believe? Is the magic of Harry Potter forever cursed? The Opheads team investigates this and more.

For researched content only head to 19:46.

Shownotes: www.cowardspace.com/opheads/episode04

The BA Test Kitchen Chefs helped pave the way for food media with its fresh and personable content. 
In the wake of a brown-face scandal, the seemingly innocent family atmosphere was ripped apart to reveal a rotten culture of racism and pay inequity. Since the re-launch of the new supposedly "better Bon Appétit" we delve into the work that has been done and the reasons why.

Was the writing always on the wall? Has enough been done? Should you still watch?
Opheads gets deep into the scandal, the chefs and the business of food in New York

To follow our show notes head to www.cowardspace.com/opheads/episode03

Research-focussed part begins at: 16:43