Lamestream

An independent podcast guiding you through the crisis in media. Hosted by award-winning journalists Osman Faruqi and Scott Mitchell.

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Episodes

What Lattouf vs the ABC Means For Journalism. Plus, Accuracy In Iran War Reporting Goes Missing

After the biggest media trial of the year a federal court judge has found the ABC fired Antoinette Lattouf in order to appease pro-Israel lobbyists. Os and Scott explore the background to the case, breakdown what the trial revealed about secretive lobbying efforts targeting journalists and what the decision means for journalism, and the right of journalists to express political opinions. Later in the episode the look at the reporting around the Iran-Israel ceasefire and why previously sceptical ...

Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 5 min

Special Episode: Why Trump Bombed Iran, and What Happens Next

In this special episode of Lamestream, Os and Scott react to the news that the US has taken the extraordinary step of joining Israel's war against Iran by bombing the country. They discuss the details of the US attack, why Trump made the decision to support Israel and what could happen next. Plus, they look at how the media reacted to the bombing, including the bizarre decisions from the ABC to interview Scott Morrison, and examine how little expertise there is in Australian newsrooms on this is...

Jun 22, 2025•36 min

How the Media Helped Israel Bomb Iran, the ABC’s Future, and the State of Australian TV

With the US on the brink of joining Israel's war against Iran, likely causing mass civilian deaths and plunging the region into chaos, Os and Scott look at the way media outlets actively helped lay the groundwork for this new conflict. They discuss how the war is being reported, and which civilians are humanised more. They revisit the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and compare how the same narratives are being rolled out by the media to justify war and regime change. Also in this episode they discuss th...

Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 8 min

Trump's War on Journalism, The Project's Rise and Fall, and Media Outlets in Mushroom Trial Strife

The shooting of multiple Australian journalists by police in Los Angeles has focused attention on media safety in Trump's America, and right around the world. Os and Scott look at why journalism seems to becoming less safe, the impunity with which police and military seem to be acting towards reporters, and why news organisations are struggling with the basic principles of defending their staff. Also in the show, they discuss Network 10's decision to cancel its long-running current affairs progr...

Jun 11, 2025•1 hr

The mushroom trial and the media's true crime obsession. Plus, we answer your questions!

It's the criminal trial that has launched a wave of new daily podcasts and dominated headlines for months. But what's driving the media's obsession with Erin Patterson and the mushroom deaths, and is there a downside to the amount of energy news outlets are spending on true crime? Scott and Os decided to listen to every single daily mushroom trial podcast to help inform the discussion, and they decided to rank them all in terms of listenability and quality of reporting. In the Keeping Tabs segme...

Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 14 min

How Murdoch's News Corp Still Has Influence, the Sports Media Swindle and the Missing Gaza Stories

Has Rupert Murdoch's News Corp lost its ability to influence Australian politics and society? Os and Scott debate how powerful the right-wing media empire really is, and unpack how it influences the rest of the media landscape and every aspect of Australian politics. Also in the show they examine the messy state of sports broadcasting and sports media in Australia, and the Russian oligarch who now owns the rights to the AFL, NRL and more. Plus, in this week's Keeping Tabs segment: The two Gaza s...

May 28, 2025•1 hr 11 min

The greatest journalism failure of our lifetime. Plus, Abbie vs Clem, and can media and politics mix?

As Israel executes its plan to conquer Gaza, drawing condemnation and sanctions from even if its closest allies, Os and Scott look at the role the media has played in paving the way for this moment. From abandoning fundamental journalistic principles in favour of propaganda, to blacklisting journalists who spoke up, and targeting artists, actors, academics and more who opposed genocide, they chart how the Australian media failed in its primary duty on the most important issue of our times. Also ...

May 21, 2025•1 hr 21 min

Are Kyle and Jackie O Worth $200m? Plus, Labor and Liberal Factional Drama and an ABC Dating Scandal

Scott takes Os on a deep dive into the world of commercial radio, focusing on the mammoth $200m deal Kyle and Jackie O signed to help take their show national. Where do media companies get this kind of money? Why are they spending it on shock-jocks? Is the future of radio as grim as it looks? They also cover the media reporting of the new Liberal party leader Sussan Ley and discuss whether she is as "moderate" as news coverage suggests, and look at Labor's recently factional implosion. And they ...

May 14, 2025•55 min

Australia's Woeful Gaza Reporting, The AFL Media's Latest Pile-On, and Post-Election Grandstanding

Os and Scott discuss how the Australian media is covering the Israeli government's announcement it will "conquer" Gaza and and forcibly relocate the Palestinian population. They talk about why the local outlets like the ABC seem to be doing a worse job at telling the truth compared to mainstream outlets in the US and Europe, and who influences reporting of the issue here in Australia. Then they look at the growing furore in the AFL media over Fremantle captain Alex Pearce's sharing of an Instagr...

May 07, 2025•55 min

The Coalition’s Catastrophe, Bursting the Sky News Bubble and What Went Wrong for the Greens

A Labor landslide! Peter Dutton lost his seat! The Greens are in trouble! Sky News hosts lose their minds! In this special, post-election episode of Lamestream Scott and Os talk through the topline the results of the federal election and how they compare to the media's predictions (including their own). They discuss the emerging post-election narratives, examine whether this election is confirmation that News Corp is no longer as powerful as it once was, and take a closer look at some of the clo...

May 04, 2025•32 min

The ABC's New Crisis, The War On Welcome To Country, and Our Election Guide

In this pre-election episode of Lamestream Os and Scott share their tips for watching the results, highlight what contests they're keeping a close eye on and even boldly make a few predictions. They dive into the latest crisis engulfing the ABC with fresh allegations the broadcaster's chair, Kim Williams, inappropriately interfered to help promote a controversial comedian. Plus, they examine the growing attacks on Welcome to Country ceremonies and the media's role in injecting them into the poli...

Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 3 min

The Podcast Election, Three Overlooked Campaign Stories, and the Media's Race Hypocrisy

On the first episode of Lamestream, Os and and Scott explain why they created the show and what they're hoping to achieve by launching a new, independent media outlet. They unpack the idea of the "podcast election" and the significance of politicians ditching traditional media interviews in favour of conversations with social media influencers and podcasters like Abbie Chatfield and The Betoota Advocate, and what that means for accountability and the future of the media landscape. Next, they sha...

Apr 27, 2025•1 hr 2 min

Introducing Lamestream: Your guide to the crisis in media and politics

Trust in media and politics has collapsed, and the world feels more fractured than ever. It's never been more important understand what's shaping our society and our culture, but it's also never been harder. That's why we're creating Lamestream. It's a new, fully independent, weekly podcast and newsletter that tackles the crisis in media. Hosted by award-winning journalists Osman Faruqi and Scott MItchell, every week Lamestream will break down how how media shapes news, culture, politics and cur...

Apr 25, 2025•2 min

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