Spin Cycle

Jess, Rachel and Charlie are joined by writer, Natalie Feliks, to talk about the misinformation campaign online and in the media around Algerian Olympic boxer, Imane Khelif. They also turn their attention to the government's watered down approach to caps on gambling ads. Plus they ponder whether totally mild will be the winning formula in the US presidential election.

This week, Jess and Rachel chat to former editor of the 7AM podcast, Scott Mitchell, about the industrial action that hit 9 Papers just as they were gearing up to cover the Paris Olympics. Plus they go deep on Mormon trad wife influencer, Ballerina Farm, in light of a controversial Sunday Times profile. And Rachel addresses the problem with Ralph Babet.   

Charlie and Jess are joined by Amy Donaldson, producer of ABC’s Four Corners, to discuss the first part of Retribution, a two-part series exploring what a second Trump presidency might look like. The team also look at the recent findings of corruption in the CFMEU and what it might mean for the future of unions, as well as "not-so-Tenacious D".

With a full house (Jess, Rachel, Charlie, and Najma!), Spin Cycle greets two guests to discuss the latest in the Australian news media. Jewish Council of Australia Executive Officer, Sarah Schwartz, describes the recent conflation of anti-zionism with anti-semitism, and whether it is an attempt to control legitimate pro-Palestinian protest. And Nour Haydar, host of The Guardian's Full Story podcast, delves further into the coverage of Fatima Payman’s resignation from the Labour Party, and what it tells us about racism in Australia.

Charlie is back from Europe and joins Jess and Rachel in conversation with Phillip Adams. Fresh from finishing his run as host of 33-years to the ABC's Late Night Live, Phillip weighs in on some career highlights, the direction of the ABC, and the broader state of the Australian media.

The team also discusses the media storm around former Labor-now-Independent senator Fatima Payman and the imminent UK election.

Annika Blau joins Jess, Rachel and Esther to comment on the reality of reality TV, in particular the making of the “villain edit”. Annika goes more into depth on Australia’s "most hated" reality TV star in the most recent episode of the ABC’s Background Briefing.

The team also look at freedoms in the case of Julian Assange, as well as in the broader press, and politics.

Jess and Rachel are joined this week by Evelyn Araluen, Co-Editor In Chief of Overland. They discuss the extreme narratives at the ends of public culture, the need for independent media, and celebrating 70 years of Overland.

Jess and Rachel also discuss whether the media is giving Dutton's nuclear statements the criticism they deserve, and how politicians can utilise the media to distract the public's attention.

Returning guest Denis Muller joins Jess, Rachel and Esther to discuss the power structures, authoritarianism and open secrets at 9 media. The team also discuss the resignation of Media Watch's Paul Barry, and the distracting politics around Australia's inaction on Israel's war on Gaza.

Data specialist Kristen Moeller-Saxone joins Jess, Rachel and Esther to explore the study into the reporting of finance in the media over the last three decades, as well as the use of AI in the research process. The team also cover the week's news, including the National Press Club Address from the Executive Chairman of Newscorp Australasia, Michael Miller, and Peter Costello’s airport adventures.

Daanyal Saeed joins Jess, Rachel and Esther to discuss the outrage over Laura Tingle's comments at the Sydney Writers' Festival. Why is it that the media so often takes commentary out of context?

Together they also discuss senate estimates, and the rise of effective altruism and pronatalism.