We Used to be Journos

Welcome to the very first episode of They Used To Be... a weekly interview podcast with people who are no longer in a position that once defined them. Now they’re on the other side; they can speak candidly about who they were, why they left, and whether they see the world differently now that they’ve stepped away. Cathy Wilcox used to be a cartoonist for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age until she took a redundancy a few months ago. In her first interview since leaving The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age after 37 years, she discusses her infamous cartoon “Grass roots”, and what it was like being under sustained external attacks. In this no-holds-barred chat, Wilcox reflects on the heyday of editorial cartooning, what she loves most about the power of the pencil, and how far she believes the Herald has fallen in recent years - and why. Plus, she has a special message for her former colleagues, delivered in classic Wilcox style. (Nine newspapers were contacted for comment, but did not respond). Senior Producer: Alyssa Partington Support Ette Media by subscribing here. Send us your tips and feedback tips@ettemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israel held a general election this week, and it’s a stalemate. Neither Netanyahu nor his rival Gadi Eisenkot, has won a majority to govern. But something has already happened since voting closed that is gonna shift things big time. Shift the material reality for Palestinians? No, shift the existential reality for Israelis? Yes. And it has to do with “Arabs” in Israel or Palestinian-Israelis. And yes, they exist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We give a nod to the Brazilian journalists who helped uncover Meta’s questionable role in the lead up to their country’s general election. Did Meta try to sway the vote in favour of the far-right candidate? If so, it didn’t work! Antoinette unpacks Ben Roberts-Smith’s ‘exclusive’ media blitz ahead of his war crimes trial but loses count of the billionaire media barons helping rehab his reputation. Jan also explains the so-called “dirt sheet” on independent MP Helen Haines and what it shows about how dirty politics can be. Plus, a small Tasmanian school finds itself in the middle of a “cancelling Christmas” culture war thanks to the state’s Premier. His answers to our questions offer no accountability but some entertainment. There’s also a shout-out to Bec(ette), our unofficial producer on the Tasmanian story, for the tip and the research. Shooter/Editor: Lachlan French Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber . Send us your tips tips@ettemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the wake of the violent and deplorable attack on Independent MP Helen Haines, the Prime Minister has been asking everyone to “turn the temperature down”, but Jan Fran is not entirely clear on what that means or who it’s directed at. ​ In this episode of Only Fran, Jan Fran combs through previous examples of the PM using that phrase and finds that some people are turning the temperature up more than others. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan and Antoinette look at how a violent attack on independent MP Helen Haines was politicised by The Australian , despite the scant details and evidence available. Antoinette reflects honestly on her time in Lebanon, why it’s a country of contrasts and what "holidaying" in a warzone is really like. Also, we bring you a special interview with local reporter Widad Francis about the multifaceted challenges of being a journalist in Lebanon. Plus, what extremist settler attacks on Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine reveal about the paper’s inconsistent ethical and editorial standards. And Jan Fran has strong feelings about ABC Radio National's Top 100 Books of All Time. Support Ette Media by subscribing here. Shooter/Editor: Lachlan French Send us your tips tips@ettemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the span of 12 months Chile, Colombia and now (likely) Brazil will join Argentina and take a Trumpian turn by electing far-right leaders. As it happens, they are the top four largest economies in South America. This week Jan Fran takes a look at why a far-right wave is is making a splash across South America and what that has to do with the current US president and the man who was US President in 1823. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, Jan Fran is joined by Soaliha Iqbal, Ette’s social media editor, who brings a unique Gen Z perspective on media and journalism. They talk about Soaliha’s time in online youth media, why Israel/Palestine was such a fraught story to cover, what made Soaliha finally quit and why she doesn’t aspire to be an ‘objective’ journalist. Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here. Shooter/Editor: Lachy French Send us your tips tips@ettemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sorry folks, there wont be an Only Fran this week. Antoinette is away and I'm traveling, which has made it a bit difficult to put one together for you this week. Figured I'd keep you updated. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

*** A special deal for the Etterati - for a 30-day free subscription to Lamestream head to https://www.lamestream.com.au/ette and get Scott and Os’s breaking news and analysis for free. In this special episode, Jan Fran and Lamestream co-founder Scott Mitchell sit down for a long overdue chat about starting independent media companies. They trade war stories about coming up through the mainstream media, what made them finally decide to go independent and the future for smaller indi outlets. Plus, Scott talks about One Nation’s Victorian election campaign launch and the wildly racist video the media missed, while Jan brings some throwaway lines from the Australian Financial Review that have her cracking up because if she doesn’t laugh, she’ll cry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Jan Fran takes a look at the battle between the Trump administration and the International Criminal Court, although can you really call it a battle when it’s only one side doing the battling? In addition to sanctioning individual members of the court, Donald Trump and his trusted Secretary of State, Marco Rubio are now considering sanctions against the entire organisation. If that happens it would be an unprecedented f**k you to international law by a man determined never to be bound by it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode Jan and Antoinette take a deep dive into ABC’s 7.30 foreign policy interviews. They review forty-two interviews, by host Sarah Ferguson between mid 2022 - mid 2026 with international guests from conflict zones including Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Lebanon, Palestine and Israel. The results are telling: Israeli guests are giving three times as much airtime as Palestinians, only Russia gets accused of propaganda, while asking for condemnation of violence is reserved for guests from one country only. And that’s just a snippet. Our data dive highlights how the public broadcaster echoes the Australian government’s views and international relationships — sometimes despite evidence and the expectations of international law. This was particularly prevalent with one country: Israel. You can read our analysis and the ABC’s full reply at www.ettemedia.com Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here. *** Shooter/Editor: Lachlan French Producer: Anushri Sood Data analyst: Dr Richard Bean Send us your tips and feedback tips@ettemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the Macklemore Ed Sheeran saga continuing to play out in the headlines, some commentators have suggested it’s a watershed cultural moment that will help move the dial on Palestine. Jan Fran wonders which dial, because there are certain dials that aren't shifting at all and are, in fact, going backwards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Antoinette takes a close look at the politics and culture journal Quarterly Essay and finds that it doesn’t quite reflect the "widest range of political, intellectual and cultural opinions." Also, the years-long “civil war” in Sudan might sound like it has little to do with Australia but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Not that you’d know it from our media. Plus, the high school reporters taking their principals to court cover freedom of speech and what this tells us about the current news cycle. SUBSCRIBE and help keep Ette Media independent here. TIPS & FEEDBACK tips@ettemedia.com Shout out to producer Soaliha Iqbal and shooter/editor Lachlan French. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, immigration was top of the agenda. On Monday, One Nation announced its immigration policy. Then, on Thursday Labor followed suit with a “targeted” migration policy approach. After closely watching the week culminate in Burke’s National Press Club address, Jan Fran reckons his targeted migration approach has hit the wrong target. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan and Antoinette chat through the Federal Government’s attempt to regulate social media algorithms and why they’re a little dubious. Plus, Macklemore accuses Ed Sheeran of being ‘apolitical’... except that he’s not, and Antoinette has the receipts. Also, Anthony Albanese claps back at Pauline Hanson’s comments about his mother, but Jan’s not buying the backstory or the moving coverage. An update on our Samsung story and how to disable being fed Murdoch rage bait. Plus a shout-out to one organisation that’s helped us re-frame the deluge of apocalyptic AI headlines. Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here. Thanks for our shooter/editor: Lachlan French Send us your tips and feedback tips@ettemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zohran Mamdani will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks as the first Muslim mayor of New York City. Jan Fran’s first question is … and? This week, families of some of the 9/11 victims (flanked by myriad Republican politicians of course) presented him with a petition urging him not to attend the memorial at Ground Zero. Why? In this episode, Jan Fran goes through the petition and finds it’s as clarifying as it is ambiguous. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Jan and Antoinette look at how unsuspecting media outlets end up creating what looks like sponsored content for Meta Glasses… without their explicit knowledge or consent. We examine Antoinette’s hypothesis that Rupert Murdoch’s News 24 is forcing its way into the homes of ordinary Australians via Samsung smart TVs. Plus, the UN released a landmark climate report warning that we’ve exceeded the 1.5 degree limit agreed to in the Paris Agreement of 2015. The only thing more depressing than the report's contents was its launch and some of the coverage that followed. Maps are being redrawn worldwide, and in both cases the United States is the fork in the road. If you’re willing to be coaxed into buying Antoinette’s book Women Who Win because it’s her birthday it is is here. Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here. Send us your tips tips@ettemedia.com Shooter/Editor: Lachlan French Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Milo Yiannopoulos is a British far-right commentator who rose to fame a decade ago being a “provocateur” and self-styled internet troll. He’s credited by some as a key figure in Donald Trump’s 2016 election. Well, now he’s ashamed he ever supported Trump because this week he was arrested by ICE agents and deported back to Britain. Turns out Milo doesn't like the world that he helped usher in. The MAGA mea culpa is getting very tiring. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan Fran and Antoinette unpack the true crime spectacle surrounding American mother Lindsay Clancy, who is on trial for killing her three young children. More proof Israel's war on journalists has spread to the West Bank, where violent settlers are attacking US and other foreign film crews while soldiers watch. Plus a Guardian investigation exposes the tens of millions of dollars Israel is pouring into gaming AI chatbots with fake think tank reports. Also, Aussie media loves private school stories and one particular story about private school uniforms caught Jan Fran’s eye. Plus Antoinette gives a shout-out to the indie media and not-for-profit collab doing important work on Australia's rising far right. Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here Share your story tips with us tips@ettemedia.com Shooter/Editor: Lachlan French Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

American-Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef has had to postpone his stand up tour of Australia because he has not received his visa in time. He says he was required to provide a criminal record from both the US and Egypt. Meanwhile around 40 IDF soldiers are in town to run in the Sydney Marathon as part of a “peace delegation". Jan Fran explores who gets a visa to come to Australia, who doesn’t and why it’s all a bit confusing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.