Fourth Estate - podcast cover

Fourth Estate

2SER
Every week, we discuss how the media has covered the news and analyse issues affecting the industry - with some of the biggest names in journalism in Australia and around the world. Broadcast live on Sydney's 2SER 107.3FM, with the financial assistance of the Community Broadcasting Foundation.
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Criminalising journalism in Australia

The 2018 budget will bring $84 million worth of cuts to the ABC over three years. So is this a big deal for the national broadcaster? Plus the draft law that could see Australian journalists locked up for 20 years, just for doing their job. And the sex column in a college paper that ventured into the realm of academic advice and rubbed some people the wrong way. Andrew Fowler ( Author and ex ABC), Katrina Strickland (Good Weekend) and Kylar Loussikian (Daily Telegraph) discuss all these issues a...

May 10, 201832 minSeason 1Ep. 128

Podcast extra: Friends of the ABC responds to budget cuts

The 2018 budget has been released into the world, and brings bad news for the nation’s public broadcaster. The government will freeze indexation of the ABC from July of 2019, which is set to cost the broadcaster $84 million over three years. To understand what this might mean for how the ABC operates, Peter Fray caught up for a coffee with Professor Ed Davis, President of the NSW and ATC committee of Friends of the ABC. Fourth Estate is produced by 2SER 107.3 in Sydney and is broadcast across th...

May 09, 20187 minSeason 1Ep. 127

ABC's Buzzfeed, a mighty correction, twitter bots and a roast

Will Osman Faruqi and the ABC's mysterious new Buzzfeed-style "vertical" spark more inquiries by senate estimates? The story that sparked Fairfax's big Anzac retraction treads the line of misplaced facts and myth-making. And Labor senator Kimberley Kitching may have hitched up some Russian twitterbot followers but exactly whose stalking horses are they? Alex McKinnon (Saturday Paper), Sam Langford (Junkee) and Claire Connelly (independent) turn these issues over on a panel hosted by Tom Allinson...

May 03, 201849 minSeason 1Ep. 126

A Pulitzer, the banks and Mamamia

He won a Pulitzer Prize for his photography of the violence during Charlottesville race protests, but now he works in a brewery. So how can we keep talented people in journalism? Plus Anzac Day has come and gone, but what message did it leave behind? We also look at the abortion story Mamamia got wrong and whether they were right to pull it. All this and more discussed by our panelists Miranda Devine ( Daily Telegraph), Marcus Strom (MEAA) and Michael McGowan ( the Guardian). This episode was ho...

Apr 26, 201842 minSeason 1Ep. 125

Podcast extra: Gabriel Sherman on politics, media and where the two meet

Gabriel Sherman is author of the New York Times bestselling biography, 'Loudest Voice in the Room' , about Fox News founder Roger Ailes. He is also a Vanity Fair special correspondent, and previously was national-affairs editor at New York Magazine. He’s heading over to Australia soon for Sydney Writer’s Festival where he will join panels discussing how the news has changed and the Murdoch media empire. Gabriel caught up with host Ninah Kopel, to discuss media, politics and where the two meet in...

Apr 23, 201820 minSeason 1Ep. 124

C-bomb sinks journo, SA ups source protection and Greg Hunt turns the tables

A cut and paste incident has lost a Daily Mail journalist their job, but is the C-word a sackable offense? Plus, the South Australian Government is planning a new shield law to help journalists protect their sources. And Greg Hunt tries to reverse the roles of ministers and media. To discuss these issues and more, we were joined by Alex Bruce-Smith (Pedestrian TV) , Paul Wallbank (Mumbrella) and Sarah Vogler (Courier Mail). This episode was hosted and produced by Ninah Kopel. Fourth Estate is pr...

Apr 19, 201834 minSeason 1Ep. 123

Zuckerberg, Guthrie and MPs in Lycra

The Cambridge Analytica saga continues as Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg faces the US congress. But is it too late to say sorry? Plus ABC boss Michelle Guthrie fronts Senate Estimates again and in the spirit of Zuckerberg, takes the blame for the corporation’s recent editorial mistakes. We also discuss the two journalists awaiting a formal hearing in a Myanmar prison. And MPs in Lycra: is the media stretching audience attention just a little too far? To discuss these issues and more, we were joine...

Apr 12, 201841 minSeason 1Ep. 122

Podcast Extra : Media In Myanmar And Facebook's Role In The Rohingya Crisis

This is an extended version of a discussion with Libby Hogan, a multimedia journalist on the ground in Myanmar. With host Ninah Kopel, she discusses the dangers of hate speech on social media and what needs to be done to address it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 06, 201820 minSeason 1Ep. 121

Facebook's role in the Rohingya crisis, Ch9 dumped and Intern Pete

Stories are emerging about the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar last year, and Facebook’s role in facilitating the spread of hate speech. Should the platform be doing more to intervene? Plus, we discuss the question that hijacked cricketer Steve Smith’s press conference. And the Nine network has lost their Commonwealth Games accreditation, but is the system irrelevant to begin with? To discuss these issues and more, we were joined by Margaret Simons (Monash University), Max Chalmers (Crikey and ABC), ...

Apr 05, 201829 minSeason 1Ep. 120

Now Australia, 29th Newspoll and are journalists miserable?

Tracey Spicer has launched the Now Australia campaign, which aims to tackle sexual harassment and abuse in Australian workplaces. So what role does the media have to play? Plus, Mark Zuckerberg has responded to the Facebook scandal, promising to do better. Is it too little, too late? Also on the show, the media is buzzing about Malcolm Turnbull’s 29th negative Newspoll. Will number 30 lead to the same end for Turnbull as it did for Abbott? To discuss these issues, and more, we were joined by Ann...

Mar 29, 201832 minSeason 1Ep. 119

Facebook, Sunrise and a wedding cake

As the world reacts to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, we look at the lessons to be learned from the group’s data mining mistakes and ask if it’s time to get off Facebook. We also discuss the Sunrise segment that had Australia up in arms and Indigenous rights groups accusing the show of racism. Plus we look at the cake that didn’t sit so well with ABC Audience & Consumer Affairs. To discuss these issues we were joined by Myles Morgan (SBS), Miranda Ward (nine.com.au) and Ketan Joshi (CSIRO’...

Mar 22, 201829 minSeason 1Ep. 118

I hate journalists!

The ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr, hates journalists and is over the mainstream media. We discuss his hawkish remarks and consider whether there's any truth in them. Plus we ask if anyone's listening to Miranda Devine's new podcast. And we look at the role of a Gender Editor and talk about whether Australian newsrooms need them. With Misha Ketchell (The Conversation) and Nick O'Malley (Fairfax). Hosted by Olivia Rosenman. Fourth Estate is produced by 2SER 107.3 in Sydney and broadcasted across...

Mar 14, 201830 minSeason 1Ep. 117

Jane Gilmore on fixing headlines about violence against women

We're marking International Women's Day with a special interview with Jane Gilmore, founder of The FixedIt project. FixedIt takes a red pen to headlines about violence against women and children to correct those that blame the victims for the violence enacted against them. Jane Gilmore's work shines a light on the way the media's focus on the victims of violence, rather than the perpetrators, sustains myths about men, women, violence and sexual assault. Hosted by Olivia Rosenman. Fourth Estate i...

Mar 07, 201833 minSeason 1Ep. 116

Can the ACCC take on Google and Facebook?

Our panel considers the ACCC's Digital Platforms Inquiry, including the threat of criminal charges if the tech giants don't comply. Plus, did Kylie Jenner really wipe $1 billion off Snapchat's worth? And finally, some good news for a change. We look at a new initiative from the Guardian focusing on solutions to the world's most pressing problems. With Arvind Hickman (AdNews), Rob Stott (Junkee Media), and Bhakthi Puvanenthiran (Crikey). Hosted by Olivia Rosenman. Fourth Estate is produced by 2SE...

Mar 02, 201829 minSeason 1Ep. 115

Did the ABC censor Alberici's corporate tax story?

This week the panel takes a look at the saga of Emma Alberici's story on corporate tax and whether the ABC bowed to the government by taking it down. Plus we discuss what happened when Twitter users impersonated journalists after the Florida high school shooting and how ill-equipped Twitter is to stop the spreading of doctored photos. Finally, the panel talks about Vice Media in the wake of several scandals and considers if it's possible for them to clean the Cheeto dust out of their newsrooms. ...

Feb 22, 201829 minSeason 1Ep. 114

Why won't Australians pay for their news?

The New York Times subscription revenue has hit $1 billion, but will Australian news media ever reach this level of support when 90% of Australians say they are very reluctant to pay for news? Plus we look at the outcome of the Senate inquiry into the future of public interest journalism and consider the pros and cons of delivering news via sms and instant messaging apps. With Sarah Whyte (ABC), Charlie Lewis (Crikey) and Quentin Dempster (The New Daily). Hosted by Olivia Rosenman. Learn more ab...

Feb 14, 201831 minSeason 1Ep. 113

Politicians' private lives, espionage and the online influence economy

Our first show back for 2018 kicks off with a discussion about the ethics of reporting politicians' private lives in the wake of the Barnaby Joyce story. The panel then takes on the government's proposed changes to national security laws and what they mean for journalism and free speech. We rounded out the episode looking at Facebook's latest attempts to fight fake news and the murky market of online influence. With Josh Butler (Huffpost), Dana McCauley (The Australian) and Myriam Robin (Austral...

Feb 07, 201832 minSeason 1Ep. 112

That's a wrap

As the year draws to a close, Fourth Estate indulges in the requisite navel gazing, with a review of 2017's top stories. Sit back, pour yourself a stiff drink and enjoy. Hosted by Olivia Rosenman and Jason L'Ecuyer. Music by Broke For Free, Poddington Bear, and Dlay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 18, 201730 minSeason 1Ep. 111

News, humour and despair in Venezuela.

We speak to the team behind El Chigüire Bipolar - or the Bipolar Capybara - about their satirical news website that won this year's Václav Havel Prize for Creative Dissent. The site uses humour to comment on Venezuela’s current political and economic turmoil, and to promote real and independent news that won’t be found in the country’s state-owned media. With Elio Casale (Founder) and Jesus Roldan (Editor), hosted by Olivia Rosenman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 06, 201724 minSeason 1Ep. 110

The ABC's big shakeup & the looming collapse of digital media

We take a fine-toothed comb over the biggest restructure in the ABC's history and consider whether the digital news media industry is teetering on the edge of collapse. With Emily Watkins (Crikey), Ketan Joshi (CSIRO Data 61) and Karl Quinn (Fairfax). Hosted by Olivia Rosenman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 29, 201734 minSeason 1Ep. 109

Waleed Aly on the snowfield of white faces in Australian media

Waleed Aly on about the Australian media's diversity problem and the democratic deficit when media excludes a large portion of the society its supposed to serve. Aly spoke at the official launch of Media Diversity Australia, an organisation for a media that looks and sounds like Australia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 02, 201721 minSeason 1Ep. 108

Data, algorithms, media and humans with Genevieve Bell

What does it mean to be human in the digital era? And to be Australian? We spoke to the 2017 Boyer Lecturer, Professor Genevieve Bell, about how we live in world ruled by data and algorithms. We asked if there are any technological solutions to fake news (there are!) and if being Australian in this globalised, online world even matters. Bell is one of the world's top technologists and the head of the Australian National University's Autonomy, Agency and Assurance Institute. Learn more about your...

Oct 26, 201732 minSeason 1Ep. 107

Media reform - is it a lifeline for Australian media?

The government’s media reform bill finally passed the Senate on September 14, after months of negotiations with cross bench senators. Communications minister Mitch Fifield says the reform will strengthen Australia’s media industry and secure local journalism jobs. But not everyone is convinced. And what about Facebook and Google? We sat down to discuss it with Ben Eltham (New Matilda), Margaret Simons (Monash University) and Quentin Dempster (The New Daily). Hosted by Olivia Rosenman. Learn more...

Sep 30, 201735 minSeason 1Ep. 106

What's going on in the world of Australian podcasts?

We sat down with two important personalities in the Australian podcasting world - Michael Mason, ABC Director of Radio, and Rob Loewenthal the founder of the podcasting platform Whooshkaa. The ABC has a new $1 million fund just for podcasts and Whooshkaa is working on new technologies including personalised podcasts. Hosted by Olivia Rosenman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 14, 201735 minSeason 1Ep. 105

Jenn White on making 'Making Oprah' and the future of audio

Jenn White, host of the recent podcast Making Oprah and anchor on WBEZ Chicago, stopped by the 2SER studio to talk podcasts, public media and the future of on-demand audio. Hosted by Olivia Rosenman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 07, 201729 minSeason 1Ep. 104

Rabbit holes with Aaron Glantz, Gerard Ryle, Kate McClymont and Siddharth Varadarajan

Broadcast from the Walkley's 2017 Storyology conference, host Olivia Rosenman spoke with a panel of four of the world's top investigative journalists about how they decide which topics to pursue and whether the end always has to justify the means in an era where resources are tight and investigative reporting is expensive. With Aaron Glantz, senior reporter with Reveal from the US Center for Investigative Reporting, Gerard Ryle, Director of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalis...

Aug 31, 201739 minSeason 1Ep. 103

Covering Afghanistan with photojournalist Andrew Quilty

Andrew Quilty has covered Afghanistan since late 2013, when he arrived to work as a photojournalist just as NATO troops were beginning to withdraw. In the four years since, he has captured the ongoing conflict there with stunning photography that documents the trauma of a 40 year war and the impact of extremist groups and foreign forces in the country. His work won him the 2016 Gold Walkley for Excellence in Australian journalism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 24, 201726 minSeason 1Ep. 102

A tribute to Les Murray

At the beginning of this week legendary Football commentator and journalist Les Murray passed away, this episode of Fourth Estate is dedicated to him. Myles Houlbrook-Walk spoke to Tracey Holmes and Andy Paschalidis, two of his colleagues and venerable journalists in their own right, about the man and the legacy that he leaves behind. He will be sorely missed by a nation now enamored by the game he loved and promoted for his whole life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi...

Aug 04, 201740 minSeason 1Ep. 101

Media Manipulators in Transitioning Times

Miles Herbert sat down with American academic and journalist Jeff Jarvis from Buzzmachine and the Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism as well as Derek Wilding, the Co-Director of the Centre for Media Transition from the University of Technology Sydney ahead of the Centre's launch earlier this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 28, 201732 minSeason 1Ep. 100

Laptops in the toilet! Where do you consume news?

Host Olivia Rosenman speaks to Michael Jensen, one of the authors of the 2017 Digital News Report about gender and news. This year is the first time the report has examined how gender effects the way we engage with news, including where we consume news, what news we consume, and the reasons that we avoid news. Olivia and Michael discuss the findings in the report, including some surprising results about where men are most likely to consume news! The Digital News Report: Australia 2017 is a colla...

Jul 20, 201728 minSeason 1Ep. 99
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android