Lamestream

Os and Scott open today's episode by discussing editor of The Age's thinly-veiled attack on Lamestream and other independent news outlets, Andrew Hastie's surprise resignation from the shadow cabinet and what it means for the Liberal party, and why the media went all out covering Taylor Swift's worst album. They also cover the latest on the Gaza "peace" plan, whether Trump can actually force Israe...

Os and Scott open this episode by discussing Paul Thomas Anderson's new film 'One Battle After Another' and why it's Os' favourite film of the year. Then they unpack Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu's disastrous new 'peace' plan for Gaza. They discuss why the plan is a horrific example of neo-colonialism driven by corrupt Western leaders and real estate developers and how Australia's Prime Mini...

On today's episode Os and Scott review Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's trip to the US and the UK, and the fawning coverage doled out by the travelling media. They discuss why political journalists transform into "Team Australia" cheerleaders whenever a leader goes overseas, Albanese's attempts to grandstand on climate, Gaza and his government's social media ban, and some of the cringier moments...

Today's episode features a Lamestream first: an interview with popular UK economist and YouTube Gary Stevenson. Stevenson's channel, Gary's Economics, has more than 1.4 million subscribers, and he joins Lamestream to discuss the rise of the far-right, in Australian and in the UK, the role economics plays in driving extremism, and the housing crisis. Also in today's episode, Os and Scott discuss Pr...

Today on the show, Os and Scott look at the extraordinary situation in the US following the indefinite suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and the Trump regime's ongoing war on freedom of speech. Also in this episode, Scott breaks down the federal government's new climate targets, why they are woefully inadequate, and the problems with how political journalists cover climate policy in Austr...

In today's episode, Os and Scott discuss the significance of a new independent UN report that found Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, and what obligations that puts on the Australian government. They look how the report was covered in Australia, and why a number of major outlets seem disinterested in covering the story. Also in this episode, they continue their examination of how Charlie Kirk...

In their regular Monday episode Os and Scott discuss the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk and examine how this moment is being used by Donald Trump and his allies to further push their agenda, and deplatform their enemies. They also cover the Australian reaction, and how far-right activists are working with the media to attack and silence prominent progressive figures because of t...

This week Os and Scott share some exciting news about the future of the podcast! They begin the show by breaking down the Murdoch family's succession drama, which was finally resolved this week. They discuss the winners, losers and what it means for the future of Rupert Murdoch's media empire in Australia and around the world. Also in this episode, they look at why the Australian media seem so une...

In this episode of Lamestream, released a day ahead of schedule, Os and Scott react to the "March for Australia" held over the weekend. They report on how some of Australia's biggest media companies did their best to promote and boost the rally, before Os describes his experience of attending the counter-protest and observing the far-right march. They also look at the media and political reaction...

On Tuesday, Australia's domestic spy agency ASIO sensationally revealed that it believed Iran was behind multiple anti-semitic arson attacks in Melbourne and Sydney. Scott and Os step through ASIO's announcement, the government's response and the media reaction, before discussing the unanswered questions that remain outstanding. They also talk about where this leaves the media, who have spent near...

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has launched an extraordinary personal on Anthony Albanese and placed sanctions on Australian officials in the West Bank. Os and Scott discuss why Israel is specifically singling out Australia and Albanese and why the media is so reluctant to call out these obvious attempts at foreign interference in domestic police. Also in the show, they discuss how the...

It's a special Monday episode of Lamestream! In today's show, Os and Scott discuss how The Age and Sydney Morning Herald confected a story about Hamas' praise for Anthony Albanese, and how it came to dominate the news cycle. They break down how they figured out it's central premise was misleading, and how the paper has been dealing with the criticism and the fallout. Also in the show, how the medi...

For nearly two years the federal government, supported by the mainstream media, has strongly denied that Australia is selling weapons to Israel. Today on the show, Os and Scott unpack exactly how Australia is part of the weapons supply-chain, our complicity in the genocide in Gaza, and how the government got away with misleading the public for so long. They also discuss the reaction to Anthony Alb...

In a Lamestream exclusive, Scott reveals fascinating details about the pro-Israel ABC whistleblower that featured on the front-page of The Australian newspaper last Saturday, blasting the broadcaster for its alleged pro-Palestine bias. Also in today's show, Os and Scott look at how the public, the media and politicians reacting to the ongoing forced starvation in Gaza, including a discussion of th...

It appears like there's been a shift in political and circles this week, with the UK and France moving to recognise Palestine as a state, the Australian government accusing Israel of breaching international law, and media outlets finally recognising the catastrophic situation in Gaza. But how real and significant is this apparent change in tone? Os and Scott discuss what has shifted, what hasn't,...

More than 200,000 people have voted in Triple J's Hottest 100 Australian songs of all time poll, but an event that was supposed to celebrate the history of Australian music has also put a spotlight on the huge problems facing the industry, and the shrinking role Triple J is playing in helping make hits and break artists. Os and Scott discuss the dire state of music media, why Triple J is increasin...

The federal government has unveiled its review into combating anti-semitism which includes a number of radical recommendations that would censor the media and sanction universities and artists if they facilitated criticism of Israel. Os and Scott talk about the background to the review, the problems with its extreme recommendations and how reactions to it shifted over the past week. Also in the ep...

The verdict in the trial of Erin Patterson has been handed down but it looks like we're just at the beginning of a true crime, mushroom-related media deluge. Os and Scott dive into the coverage of the verdict, look at how the media reacted to the decision and highlight some of the strangest stories to come out of the trial. Then, they look at how anti-Israel protests in Melbourne are being reporte...

On this week's episode, Os and Scott step through a turbocharged Keeping Tabs segment, covering the unhinged media reaction to Zohran Mamdani winning the New York City mayoral Democratic primary, and the calls from Republicans to deport him over his position on Israel, police violence against protestors and revelations that was exacerbated due to new anti-protest laws, and some of the dumbest take...

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...

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 in...

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...

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. A...

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 de...

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...