We Used to be Journos

This week one of Australia’s highest paid media personalities parted ways with the Nine Network where he’s worked for the last 21 years.  He is now officially independent… or free as he puts it. But free to do what? 

In this episode, Jan Fran explores Karl’s transformation into a right wing culture warrior and why she reckons his quest for “free speech” is a load of bollocks. 

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In this episode Jan and Antoinette look at the way both Donald Trump and Pauline Hanson used Keir Starmer’s resignation to further their own anti-immigrant, anti-climate change agenda and how the media helped out. 

Plus, Gina Rinehart’s ‘Bush Summit’ speech gets the coverage she asked for but not the coverage it deserved. 

And we unpack the decision by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - APHRA - to adopt the IHRA definition of anti semitism. We look at how this might quash criticism of Israel, why medical practitioners are ropable and why the media has been mute. 

There’s also a shout out to you - our Etterati - for your feedback after last week’s episode on how we can better contribute to online discourse. 

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Episode sponsored by Salaam Wealth.

Salaam Wealth Funds Management (Aust) Pty Ltd ABN 32 144 560 172, AFSL 365260 (Salaam).Total Risk Management Pty Limited ABN 62 008 644 353, AFSL 238790 (TRM) is the trustee of Russell Investments Master Trust ABN 89 384 753 567. Salaam superannuation is a division of the Russell Investments Master Trust.

Ette Media and Salaam recommend consulting a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions. All information is accurate as of the date of publication but may be subject to change.

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Far-right leader Pauline “there are no good Muslims” Hanson walked into the  National Press Club this week with her middle finger firmly up to the journalists in the room. It stayed up for the duration of her 90 minute address. 

And while some reporters tried to hold her to account, most gave her free reign to espouse a disjointed, frenetic, racist agenda that in Jan Fran’s view will only lead to a darker more insular Australia. 

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In this episode, Antoinette fact-checks two feel-good narratives that emerged after the Socceroos’ World Cup win over Türkiye -  including claims about Australia’s youngest-ever World Cup goalscorer. Yes we know she’s a killjoy...but also right.  

Plus, Jan brings some inconvenient reminders to help unpack Anthony Albanese’s response to the latest US-Iran ceasefire deal. 

Also: the push to overhaul the Australian Press Council aka Australia’s media watchdog. Hint: it’s a toothless tiger and may or may not be running cover for the Murdoch press.  And an introspective chat about online hate - are we a help or a hindrance? Feedback wanted.   

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BONUS episode on Jayson Gillham v MSO here.

Lodge a complaint with the Australian Press Council here.

Sign a petition to reform the Australian Press Council here.

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This week Jan looks at the mammoth trilateral security pact known as AUKUS and asks how much are those submarines costing us again? Be warned, there’s not a clear answer to that question because even those in charge don't really know. 

Let’s just say hundreds of billions of dollars for deliverables that just keep changing??  

That’s a lot of tax payer dollars at stake - not to mention the billions of dollars we’ve already thrown away on quite literally nothing. You’d think that would incense the media as much as other government spending but not so. 

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In his first interview since his trial ended, pianist Jayson Gillham sits down with Antoinette Lattouf to talk through his 15-day Federal Court trial against the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Jayson believes the MSO canceled his performance after he dedicated a piece of music to Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza.

He talks about why he fought back so hard, the cost of standing his ground and what this high-stakes battle taught him about the state of our arts and media landscape.

Plus, there's a little surprise if you make it to the very end of the episode.

GRAB TICKETS to Jayson Gillham's tour with Iyad Sughayer here. 

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In this episode, Jan and Antoinette react to news that Charlie Pickering's swipe at Grace Tame didn’t breach ABC’s code of conduct, which leaves them very confused about who gets to have opinions at the national broadcaster and who doesn’t. 

Plus, they take stock of the weekend articles that compared Pauline Hanson to various important historical figures and they dissect an A.I-related quandary involving two academics and the Sydney Morning Herald.  

Jan gives a shout out to the former MAGA influencer blowing the whistle on MAGA’s media manipulation, while Antoinette praises fellow indie media outlet’s persistent coverage on Lebanon. 

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Thanks to @jaidanielpyne for composing the music for our podcast.

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In this special episode of Only Fran Jan chats to author Sarah Wilson about the rising sense of dis-ease she has about the world. With so much upheaval and uncertainty - how is one to navigate a world that feels like it's, well, collapsing?

In this conversion they talk about collapse - what it means, how Sarah came to the idea, the difficulty of accepting some hard truths about the world, that things will get worse before they get better, and ultimately what a new world can look like and what is needed to get there. 

Sarah's new book is I Eat The Stars and you can follow her on Substack

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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."

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If you want to see our mugs as we yap you can watch the episode in full here.

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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.

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