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We Used to be Journos

Ette Media

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.

Play
  • 35 episodes
  • a few times a week
  • Avg 35 min
  • English
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • Friday · 22 min

    ONLY FRAN: South America's Trumpian turn

    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.

  • Tuesday · 55 min

    Our Gen Z employee doesn’t believe in objectivity

    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.

  • October 9 · 2 min

    No Only Fran this week

    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.

  • October 6 · 1 hr 16 min

    The Ette x Lamestream collab you've been waiting for

    *** 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.

  • October 2 · 18 min

    ONLY FRAN: The USA v The ICC explained

    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.

  • September 29 · 1 hr 23 min

    EXCLUSIVE: ABC 7.30’s interview bias unpacked

    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.

  • September 25 · 14 min

    ONLY FRAN: Macklemore and Ed Sheeran will not shift the dial on Palestine, you will

    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.

  • September 22 · 53 min

    Who writes a Quarterly Essay? Australia’s complicity in Sudan war + high school reporters sue principal

    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.

  • September 18 · 19 min

    ONLY FRAN: What this week taught us about immigration

    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.

  • September 15 · 1 hr 2 min

    Ed Sheeran does take sides, the AI headline apocalypse + we spy on Samsung and LG

    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.

  • September 11 · 17 min

    ONLY FRAN: The 9/11 criticism of Zohran Mamdani has little to do with him

    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.

  • September 8 · 57 min

    Meta glasses stealth advertising, UN climate reporting falls short + Murdoch’s smart TV deal

    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.

  • September 4 · 17 min

    ONLY FRAN: The leopards ate Milo Yiannopoulos’ face and they’ll eat yours too

    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.

  • September 1 · 1 hr

    Lindsay Clancy v the "true crime press”, Israeli settlers attack US journalists + Aussie media's weird private school fixation

    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.

  • August 28 · 18 min

    ONLY FRAN: Comedian Bassem Youssef out, IDF marathon runners in

    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.

  • August 25 · 58 min

    Flanagan blasts Israel lobby, a terrible take on sexual assault + Jason Arday media apologises or doubles down

    In this episode, we look at a searing speech given by acclaimed author Richard Flanagan at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas, in which he outlines the way the pro-Israel lobby is threatening our democracy. We also examine the media’s self-reflection (or lack thereof) following the tragic death of Cambridge Professor Jason Arday. Jan gives zero stars to an opinion piece on the allegations of sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl levelled at three students from the prestigious boys' school, Scots College. Plus – a glimpse into the opaque operations of far-right group Advance delivers some surprises. Watch Richard Flanagan’s full address to the Festival of Dangerous Ideas here. Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • August 21 · 17 min

    ONLY FRAN: The ASIO laws that just passed the Senate

    This week a bill passed the Senate that will give ASIO extended powers on top of its already very extended powers. Not only can an innocent person be hauled in for questioning, held for 24-hours, potentially without a lawyer but they can’t tell anyone about it. Now, ASIO will be given added powers on what it can question you on and Jan Fran has a feeling it’s got to do with Palestine protests. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • August 18 · 58 min

    UK media hounds Black professor, Politico’s confusing neutrality stance + millennial TV shows love Israel

    In this episode Jan and Antoinette explain why the death of Cambridge’s youngest Black professor Jason Arday was not, in fact, a “plagiarism row” but something far greater and more pernicious that the British press had a hand in. Plus, popular newsletter Politico launches its Canberra team with claims to be neutral and not take a side. Its CEO - and a five-item checklist - says otherwise. There’s also a shout-out to students taking on Pauline Hanson (and silly questions from the press), and the TikToker combing through 90s TV shows finding soft propaganda for Israel. Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here. Follow Ari on TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • August 14 · 2 min

    No Only Fran this week because Jan Fran is sick

    Just 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.

  • August 11 · 1 hr 1 min

    Left-wing terrorism, Luke Bateman's gambling testimony fallout + anatomy of a hit piece

    We 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.

Showing 1–20 of 35 episodes