Podcast
We Used to be Journos
Hosted by Ette Media · EN
We used to be journalists, but now we mostly just bitch about them. (Kidding. Kind of.) We also break down broken news.
Episodes drop Wednesday and Saturday.
Hosted by long-suffering journalists and even longer-suffering friends Jan Fran and Antoinette Lattouf, We Used to Be Journos pulls apart the week in media from people who know exactly how the machine runs because they worked inside it for decades.
Every Wednesday, the pair sift through the headlines you saw and the forces you did not. Expect blunt media analysis, zooming in on dodgy editorial calls, anonymous sources doing gymnastics, and the occasional whiff of bigotry dressed up as balance. Consider it a guided tour of the newsroom sausage factory so you know what ended up on your plate.
On Saturdays, the spin-off segment Only Jan hands the microphone to Walkley Award winner Jan Fran. One issue, one sharp monologue, foresincally researched, tightly argued, and, inconveniently for the powerful, quite funny.
Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.
If you want to see our mugs as we yap you can watch the episode in full here.
Thanks to @jaidanielpyne for composing the music for our podcast.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
69episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
No Only Fran this week because Jan Fran is sick
Today00:02:13Tap to summarizeJust dropping a little note in the feed to let you know that I've come down with a bug. Don't worry I'm okay but I'm feeling very, very sorry for myself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →
Left-wing terrorism, Luke Bateman's gambling testimony fallout + anatomy of a hit piece
3d ago01:01:19Tap to summarizeWe examine the alleged case of left-wing terrorism announced by Australian authorities: a crime that has no suspects in custody or charges laid. We also unpack the dangers of both-sidesing an issue when the evidence and research on right-wing terrorism is far greater. Plus, the gambling industry's mates in the media take an odd swing at former NRL player and gambling addict Luke Bateman, after his bombshell Senate testimony about how the betting industry operates.And a shout-out to author Trent Dalton, who handled a profile piece-turned-hit piece in the Murdoch press with class. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, free and confidential support is available 24/7 through the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 CORRECTION: An earlier version of this podcast claimed Luke Bateman had accused TAB, Sportsbet and Star Casino of improper behaviour in his testimony before a Senate inquiry. While Luke Bateman did allege betting companies behaved badly, he did not specifically name any. The three outfits were named by Alliance for Gambling Reform chief executive Tim Costello in his testimony before the inquiry.Catch Antoinette at Byron Bay Writer’s Festival this here. Support Ette Media by becoming a paid subscriber here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →
ONLY FRAN: Abdul v AIPAC: Why this US Senate primary wasn’t about Michigan
1w ago00:15:37Tap to summarizeIt’s an election that Jan Fran didn’t really think she’d care about that much: the US state of Michigan’s democratic Senate primary race. Except that it was about a lot more than the state of Michigan. In this episode of Only Fran Jan unpacks why this election really was - as the media likes to dramatically call it - a “battle for the soul of the Democratic party” and what this battle has to do with the state of Israel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →
Rinehart sues ABC over comedy skit, Morocco ‘migrant crisis’ debunked + boycott Daily Telegraph campaign
1w ago00:53:05Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we unpack how the major global mainstream media outlets spurred on the far-right and obscured the real story behind the 50,000 Moroccans who entered Spanish territory. even though there were obvious red flags from the beginning. Plus, Gina Rinehart launches legal action against the ABC over a comedy sketch, is the law there to protect billionaires' feelings, or is a chilling effect the real aim? And a new campaign is calling for a boycott of the Daily Telegraph over its inflammatory coverage of minorities. We look at the opportunities and challenges ahead. Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.Boycott the Daily Telegraph petition here.Want updates on Jan’s doco on Khaled Sabsabi? Join the mailing list here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →
ONLY FRAN: Who can blame Hannah Ferguson for wanting to take on Labor but…
2w ago00:15:04Tap to summarizeThis week Cheek Media’s Hannah Ferguson put her hand up to run for the seat of Grayndler at the next federal election. This seat happens to be the Prime Minister’s seat and also Jan Fran’s and Jan’s never gonna stop anyone - especially not a progressive Gen-Zer - from holding Labor’s feet to the fire, but… what is the best way to do that? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →
Court finds Hanson racist (again), West Bank settler violence + Substack takes on AI slop
2w ago01:04:39Tap to summarizePauline Hanson has been found to be a racist by the Federal Court...for a second time. We look at what this means for establishment media covering both her and her victim Senator Mehreen Faruqi because, as we discovered in the original judgement, they're not two sides of the same coin.Plus: will Substack be able to weed out A.I slop or is its new partnership with AI detector Pangram a fancy way to surveil creators?Also why Israeli paper Haaretz is covering West Bank settler violence with a clarity Australian media cant - or won't. And communism has entered the discourse. Find out why we're blaming Donald Trump.Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →
ONLY FRAN: Trump’s war on the left ramps up
3w ago00:16:51Tap to summarizeIn this episode Jan Fran looks at the Trump regime’s war on those who hold left-wing views. One could argue Trump was never fond of “the left” but in this past year his attacks on so-called leftists have escalated, with no sign of stopping anytime soon. Odds are you haven't heard of the Prairieland Case? Well strap in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →
PSA: Only Fran in your feeds tomorrow
3w ago00:00:45Tap to summarizeI blame technology. Stay tuned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →
Gina Rinehart sent us an email, 7’s Hanson ‘exclusive’; Argentina loses more than World Cup
3w ago00:58:08Tap to summarizeIn this episode Jan Fran and Antoinette celebrate Spain’s win at the FIFA World Cup acknowledging they’ve probably been influenced and/or brainwashed by their algorithm which morphed the football final into an Argentina hate-fest. Plus, they shine a spotlight on Seven’s exclusive interview with Pauline Hanson, and the decades-long role the media company has played in reviving her career and airing her views. Also, Australia’s richest woman, Gina Rinehart doesn't like our opinion, and sent us a complaint email. We reveal what was inside. Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.Jayson Gillham’s Keys To Life tour. This episode was sponsored by 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.This episode is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Salaam and Ette Media recommends 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →
ONLY FRAN: The enshittification of AI is coming
4w ago00:16:07Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Jan takes a look at the Prime Minister’s AI plan. Or rather his plan to have a plan. In a major speech delivered this week, he promised to fast-track approvals for datacentres and protect the copyright of Aussie artists. It was big on vision but small on details. But that’s not what’s got Jan feeling an underlying sense of anxiety. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →