In light of the verdict on Bruce Lehrmann's defamation case against Channel 10, the Spin Cycle team are joined by Dr Rachael Burgin, senior lecturer at Swinburne University and CEO of Rape and Sexual Assault Research and Advocacy. Together they discuss how the trial was conducted differently to other similar cases, and how high profile sexual assault cases in the media can impact survivors. They also explore how the media has treated survivors, including Brittany Higgins, and what changes could ...
Apr 18, 2024•44 min•Ep 82•Transcript available on Metacast Advocate for the right to housing, Jordan van den Berg, aka Purple Pingers, joins Jess and Rachel to talk about how the media have responded to his recent campaign to create a database of empty and vacant homes in both Australia and the US. Together they explore how the media engage with concepts to which they are generally foreign to due to issues of class representation in the newsroom and ask why we only see issues in the media which have begun to personally impact the journalists covering th...
Apr 11, 2024•43 min•Ep 83•Transcript available on Metacast Human rights lawyer and author, Sarah M Saleh joins the team to discuss her recent piece in Meanjin's Autumn issue. Together they examine censorship and limits on free speech evident in recent artistic curatorships, and whether we will see a change in the presentation of Palestinian voices to the Australian public. The team also talk about the new evidence in Bruce Lehrmann's defamation case and a practical joke gone awry....
Apr 04, 2024•50 min•Ep 81•Transcript available on Metacast Jess is joined by Rachel Withers editor in chief of the politics to speak to investigative journalist Jarni Blakkarly who asks the question "are news rooms equiped for mental health of staff?" also topics such as Impartiality in regards to how the news from Gaza is reported.
Mar 28, 2024•46 min•Ep 79•Transcript available on Metacast An episode of Spin Cycle from 21st March 2024.
Mar 21, 2024•38 min•Ep 80•Transcript available on Metacast Charlie, Rachel and Jess are joined this week by David Hardaker, an experienced Walkley Award-winning investigative journalist who has worked for Four Corners , 7.30, Foreign Correspondent and 60 Minutes, to discuss his new book "Mine is the Kingdom". Also joining this week is ABC Global Affairs Editor, John Lyons on this week's Four Corners report "The Forever War". This episode contains information that some listeners may find sensitive. Audio has been edited to improve quality....
Mar 14, 2024•49 min•Ep 78•Transcript available on Metacast Journalist and writer Jonathan Green joins Charlie and Rachel to unpack his new piece for The Monthly Whose ABC? , which applies a historical context to understand the current state of affairs and challenges that face the public broadcaster. The team also tackle the death toll of journalists during the conflict in Gaza, and reporting on the one-sided media coverage of the conflict. Plus, Charlie and Rachel apply a media lens to analyse how Taylor Swift’s recent Australian tour has been used in n...
Mar 07, 2024•43 min•Ep 76•Transcript available on Metacast An episode of Spin Cycle from 29th February 2024.
Feb 29, 2024•48 min•Ep 77•Transcript available on Metacast Tito Ambyo, writer, researcher, producer, and RMIT journalism lecturer, joins Jess and Charlie on this week's Spin Cycle. He shares his thoughts on the practice of journalism and its future. What does it mean to be a journalist? Is journalism a form of activism? And what are the main issues that need to be addressed in the industry? Plus, the team also discusses the Woolworths CEO’s walk-out interview on Four Corners ( and resignation! ) and whip through the week's media dramas....
Feb 22, 2024•50 min•Ep 75•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Jess is joined by Prof. Peter Greste from Alliance for Journalists' Freedom . Together they discuss his own experience with the law and press freedom in Eygpt and how Australia treats freedom of speech in the press more broadly. They also how Australia's government has failed on reforming protections for whistleblowers ahead of Greste's appearance at the WhisteblowerJustice Fund’s 2024 event on March 5 ....
Feb 15, 2024•34 min•Ep 74•Transcript available on Metacast The Guardian's Justice and Courts Reporter Nino Bucci, joins the Spin Cycle team to talk about his wild reporting into court findings that an undercover operation by counter-terrorism cops in the AFP may have further radicalised an autistic 13 year old with a "fixation" on ISIS. Plus, the team dive into ABC's Nemesis doc series and experience whiplash from revisiting the Abbott-Turnbull era of modern politics....
Feb 08, 2024•52 min•Ep 73•Transcript available on Metacast Jess, Charlie and Rachel return for the first episode of Spin Cycle in 2024! They kick off a mammoth week in the news media with a detailed look at Antoinette Lattouf's claim of unlawful termination from the ABC. Plus Rachel's new (old) job, Katharine Murphy's defection from The Guardian to Anthony Albanese's office and the curious case of Channel 9, AI and Georgie Purcell's midriff ....
Feb 01, 2024•48 min•Ep 72•Transcript available on Metacast In the final episode of Soin Cycle for the year, Jess, Charlie and Rachel revisit the highlights of the Australian media in 2023. They also wrap up the media stories of the past week, including updates on defamation cases and changes in leadership at Schwartz Media. Thanks to returning hosts Najma Sambul, Esther Anatolitis and Rachel Withers, and to all the wonderful guests on Spin Cycle this year! Louise Milligan Matilda Boseley James Oaten Alan Kohler Ben Madden Jackie Turner Denis Muller Josh...
Dec 14, 2023•51 min•Ep 71•Transcript available on Metacast Jess and Rachel are joined by Crikey media reporter Daany Saeed to discuss laws in relation to indefinite detention, illegal migration and how the media sensationalises fragments of full stories to create catchy headlines. The team also talk about the Walkley Awards and the controversy around the nomination of the Bruce Lehrmann interview as a “scoop”. Find the latest numbers from the Committee to Protect Journalists at https://cpj.org/about/...
Dec 07, 2023•49 min•Ep 70•Transcript available on Metacast Media and human rights law specialist Michael Bradley talks to Charlie and Rachel about the changes in the public and media’s approach to defamation in recent years, with a particular focus on the Bruce Lehrmann defamation case and how it demonstrates these shifting attitudes. Charlie and Rachel also discuss Henry Kissinger's death, how the media shapes images of those in power and holds them to account, and an open letter from journalists calling for unbiased coverage of the conflict in Gaza....
Nov 30, 2023•46 min•Ep 69•Transcript available on Metacast Charlie and Jess are joined by returning co-host, Meanjin editor Esther Anatolitis. Together they talk to Sarah Elks, senior reporter for The Australian in Brisbane, about her recent investigative series on gun laws in Australia. What is the state of regulations and what would measures like a national firearms registry look like? The team also discuss the latest figures in the Israel/Hamas conflict from the Committee to Protect Journalists, olive harvest and olive oil manufacturing in Greece, an...
Nov 23, 2023•47 min•Ep 68•Transcript available on Metacast Eddie Lloyd is a criminal lawyer and close friend to former Australian Defence Force (ADF) lawyer David McBride. She's been attending and closely following McBride's trial for leaking secret information to journalists about alleged war crimes. Eddie speaks to Spin Cycle 's Charlie Lewis, Jess Lilley and Rachel Withers about her perspective on the trial and more broadly the handling of whistleblowing in Australia. Charlie, Jess and Rachel also discuss Francesca Albanese’s address at the National ...
Nov 16, 2023•50 min•Ep 67•Transcript available on Metacast Dr Jay Daniel Thompson from RMIT joins Charlie and Rachel to discuss the government's proposed digital/online misinformation bill. Together they look at the issues in the language of the proposal and how mis- and disinformation are being handled in the media right now. Rachel and Charlie also talk about this week’s editorial review at the ABC on how they are reporting on Israel and the human rights crisis in Gaza.
Nov 09, 2023•39 min•Ep 66•Transcript available on Metacast This week on Spin Cycle Jess and Charlie talk to Professor Rick Sarre about the recent change in Queensland law that allows the naming of the accused when they are charged in sexual assault cases. How does the change affect the way the media reports on these cases? The team also discusses the latest in the reporting on the Israel/Hamas conflict and on-going commentaries from former Prime Ministers.
Nov 02, 2023•51 min•Ep 65•Transcript available on Metacast Jess flies solo this week on Spin Cycle and is joined by Daany Saeed, media reporter for Crikey News. Together they discuss the ABC's potential disclosure of footage collected in confidence, the leaking of information during the Cleo Smith case, and the IDF's international media approach.
Oct 26, 2023•35 min•Ep 64•Transcript available on Metacast Charlie is joined by returning guest host Rachel Withers of The Monthly. Together they talk to the Centre for Advancing Journalism's media ethics expert and Senior Research Fellow, Dr Denis Muller. They discuss the rise of Trumpism, the requirement for balanced reporting, the separation of opinion and news, and the Australian media's approach to political reporting in the wake of the referendum. Rachel and Charlie also explore the aftermath of The Voice to Parliament referendum, looking at where...
Oct 19, 2023•44 min•Ep 63•Transcript available on Metacast Jess and Rachel are joined by Peter Lewis of Essential Media to talk about polling, given its prominence in the lead up to the Voice to Parliament referendum. What's the process how do they achieve accuracy? The team also talk to Nasser Mashni, President of The Australian Palestine Advocacy Network, to discuss the week's coverage of the Palestine-Israel conflict. How has it shown the continuing bias of perspective in mainstream media, and the lack of context provided for situations such as this?...
Oct 12, 2023•49 min•Ep 62•Transcript available on Metacast Rachel Withers and Jess Lilley are joined by Natasha May, Health reporter for The Guardian Australia, to discuss a special report into the rise in youth gambling - the team ask whether parents, schools and government are doing enough to regulate and educate. Rachel and Jess also discuss grifters, Taylor Swift, and the latest in the Voice to Parliament referendum and whether there really is a recent uptick in ‘Yes’ support....
Oct 05, 2023•47 min•Ep 61•Transcript available on Metacast Award winning Investigative journalist Nick Mckenzie (The Age) joins Jess, Charlie and Rachel Withers, to discuss a groundbreaking investigation to former Home Affairs secretary Mike Pezzullo. The team also discuss the resignations of Dan Andrews and Rupert Murdoch and what it means for the local and international face of Newscorp now and in the future....
Sep 28, 2023•52 min•Ep 60•Transcript available on Metacast A note that this episode contains discussion of sexual assault. If you or anyone requires support, you can call the National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling line on 1800 737 732 This week, Jess and Charlie are joined by guest-host Esther Anatolitis, editor of Meanjin. Together they talk to Dr Eugenia Flynn, writer, researcher, RMIT Indigenous postdoctoral fellow and guest-editor for Meanjin’s most recent Spring Issue, which features works entirely from Aboriginal and Tor...
Sep 21, 2023•50 min•Ep 59•Transcript available on Metacast Charlie and Jess are joined by host of The Mission, Daniel James and contributing editor for The Monthly, Rachel Withers. Together they discuss the media's focus on negativity, outrage headlines and disinformation in the lead up to the referendum on The Voice, and the real world impacts this has on Indigenous people. Journalist, Karla Grant also joins the team to talk about her SBS Dateline report on the Sámi First Nations Parliament of Norway. What parallels can we draw with the proposed Voice ...
Sep 14, 2023•53 min•Ep 58•Transcript available on Metacast The Spin Cycle team are joined by writer, critic and activist Natalie Feliks to discuss the anti-trans angle of 7 News' Spotlight on de-transitioning. They also talk more broadly about trans representation in the media. Jess and Charlie also cover the Press Council findings on The Australian's editorial targeting Louise Milligan and the choice of outrage toward Question Time protests relative to the group's power.
Sep 07, 2023•44 min•Ep 57•Transcript available on Metacast What's Radiothon you ask? It's the time of the year that we ask you, the listeners of Spin Cycle, to help donate and support Triple R - the radio station that helps power Spin Cycle each and every week. Jess Lilley, Charlie Lewis and Rachel Withers talk community radio and listener-funded media, and they welcome 9 year-old Donnie as RRR's youngest radiothon broadcaster to read out the names of listeners who've pledged to support the station and show. Plus, they chat with ABC's chief political co...
Aug 31, 2023•52 min•Ep 56•Transcript available on Metacast This week on Spin Cycle, Jess & Rachel are joined by Xavier George, recent guest on Insight for their “Boomers vs Millennials” episode - which tackled all things generational divide. Plus the team recap other news of the week, including the return of Annabel Crabb’s Kitchen Cabinet, and her now infamous episode with Peter Dutton. With hosts Jess Lilley and guest co-host Rachel Withers....
Aug 24, 2023•45 min•Ep 55•Transcript available on Metacast Charlie Lewis flies solo this week while Jess Lilley is on break. Author and journalist Walter Marsh joins the show to talk about his new book Young Rupert - chronicling the power and politics surrounding Rupert Murdoch’s early years and how he established his global media empire. Plus a breakdown of some of the week's media stories including News Ltd using AI to publish thousands of articles across its publications and the latest developments with Twitter/X as the ABC shuts down its accounts on...
Aug 10, 2023•41 min•Ep 54•Transcript available on Metacast 
