Truth, Lies and Media

NOTE TO MEDIA: VIOLENT AUTHORITARIANISM IS NOT NORMALSomeone needs to tell Pauline Hanson this isn’t Saudi Arabia or China after One Nation threatened to jail political rivals during its Victorian election campaign launch.Vindictive politicians don’t decide who goes to jail. The courts do. It’s called the rule of law.Once news outlets would have instantly called out threats that come straight from the fascist playbook. This time they covered a flagged assault on our liberal democracy as if it were business as usual - an omission Denis Muller describes as “an epic fail”[from4:20]And we note the death of author Jeffrey Archer who scammed half a million pounds from the Star newspaper by lying in a defamation case - and then went to jail for perjury.[from 18:50]But more importantly we honour the groundbreaking journalism of a giant of the industry, the ABCs Peter Manning. The former EP of Four Corners has passed away after a lifetime of exposing corruption, holding power to account and inspiring generations of reporters.[from 26:20]Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we bring you a very special deep dive into the murky waters of corporate skulduggery.My guest is Paul Barry.He’ll be known to many of you as the long-time presenter of ABC TV’s Media Watch, but in fact he has a long and distinguished career as an investigative journalist specialising in uncovering bad behaviour by big business.Paul Barry’s latest book is called The Big Steal, published by Allen and Unwin.It’s about a couple of scoundrels called Sanjeev Gupta and Lex Greensill.Gupta pulled a series of scams around the world by promising to rescue rundown steelworks, power stations and smelters in places where these operations were the lifeblood of the community.Greensill was his banker.For years, the real story was comprehensively missed by the media, but Paul Barry has nailed it and is here to tell us why and how.You can find Paul's new book here:https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Paul-Barry-Big-Steal-9781761473517Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why don’t the media hound Hanson about her racist policies? Four Corners did a great expose on One Nation - but no mention in interviews with her supporters about why they are attracted by promises to persecute migrants, Muslims, foreign students and Indigenous Australians. [from 7:00]Plus we look at the chilling irony of Donald Trump entertaining President Xi and his entourage of compliant state-controlled Chinese reporters at a lavish White House dinner while simultaneously banning the free press - multiple American media outlets were denied entry. [from 17:50]And guess who’s coming to our Deep Dive Saturday Special? Denis Muller previews his chat with the legendary journalist and former Media Watch host Paul Barry. [from 39:25]Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ABC is strangled by floods of complaints from hard right attack dogs - so we look at new reports that most of those whinges are really mass generated AI bots - you know - ACTUAL FAKE NEWS.So Denis asked one of the faker complainers if their behaviour was ethical. Still waiting ..[from 3:25]Plus Donald Trump is chucking more journalists out of the White House because he doesn’t like their reporting - so they’re suing him.[from 10:20]And what does the racist Murdoch press have in common with the trusted news providers at Aunty?We unpack the dangers of “bothsidesism.”[from 18:00]Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gina Rinehart dealt herself into the One Nation “traitor” attack on Liberal Andrew Hastie.But why would The Age having published such a revealing expose on their suspect behaviours then run a headline suggesting the spiteful racists at One Nation are “good for democracy?”Also today .. Denis steps us through what it will take before the media report the Ai threats to human survival at Alert Level 1 - think no Internet, no access to your money, no way of buying food, crippled water and energy infrastructure. https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/internet/anthropic-ceo-warns-rogue-ai-swarm-could-take-over-the-entire-internet-within-12-months/news-story/589fd549fe92ee441c179b5823d22674And we look at the rules around reporting the private lives of politicians as we farewell acclaimed writer and the beloved second wife of Bob Hawke, Blanche D’Alpuget, whose affair with the four time PM was an open secret among journalists.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We look at the brutal fall from grace of one of Donald Trumps most toxic propagandists.Milo Yiannopoulos, who promoted hate against women and migrants, has been swiftly deported from the United States after the British national failed to renew his visa and was picked up by ICE. He has tearfully slammed the gratuitous violence meted out by his ICE captors in an interview with podcaster Piers Morgan - describing an ecosystem of dehumanising and menacing illegals that he helped create. But is anyone buying his road to Damascus moment - he now says he’s ashamed of his support for America’s fascist sex predator-in-chief. Have you noticed vicious Andrew Tate style misogyny on the rise? We look at alarming new research into the manosphere that has revealed increasing numbers of boys now believe violence is the appropriate response to feminism. What’s behind it? We check out the Sydney Morning Herald reporter who posed as a 17 year old boy online and revealed how quickly she was deluged with dangerous messaging encouraging hostility to women and aggressive sexist behaviour.Plus why is the world media silent after Israel’s far right minister Ben-Gvir posted fake video of Palestinian men on a conveyer belt being fed into a torture factory .. shockingly evoking concentration camp imagery. The White House has said nothing - it’s comms team instead preoccupied with posting shrill condemnation of the satirists at South Park who have won an Emmy for an episode depicting Trump and a tiny talking penis. Seeing is believing.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What lies hidden after the Nepal horrorThe world has never seen news vision quite like the footage that came out of Nepal .. stunning in its horror as violent death in ice and rock thundered through the lives of those poor souls, those villages and valleys.But what are we not hearing and seeing? China is refusing access to foreign reporters on the Tibet side of the border, airbrushing away the suffering there.And the media still won’t talk about the global threat which we blithely march towards - climate change.Also on this week’s show - the racist, sexist, climate denying journo-hating One Nation has just won a seat in WA. Did any media step up to mention those ugly traits in their coverage? Errr .. no.And sometimes those pithy internet memes nail it. Dolly Parton had only been dead 2 days when Donald Trump posted fake pictures of himself walking arm in arm with her .. prompting one meme wordsmith to observe ..”Even in death he forces himself on women who told him no.”Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If splashy headlines tell you what’s important then this week they’re telling you damage to a footy team is more important than damage to the alleged sex assault victims. We take a look at the way the media has downplayed the alleged sexual assault of exotic dancers by Swans football players while saturating us with coverage about the “tragedy” of a premiership club now being distracted from the finals. Plus .. the White House is enraged at the sudden media interest in Natalie Harp, a young personal assistant who follows Donald Trump everywhere printing out positive news stories for him to see on a portable printer (he can’t use his smartphone?) but also leaving what author Michael Wolff describes as “love letters” in his papers. And only journo-haters need apply - Pauline Hanson is advertising for a press secretary promising you’ll “have fun and make history” while one assumes you terrorise the ABC, demonise migrants and fly around in Gina’s $2m plane while screeching loudly that you are the voice of the battler.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Political Reporting As Benny Hill SkitIn a world of genocide and white supremacists and climate emergency we ask why the Canberra Press Gallery thinks confecting a snickering moral outrage over Anthony Albanese saying “melons” is the story of the week.Plus we look at the folly of the ABC decision to axe its Indigenous TV Department while moving heaven and earth to placate Gina Rinehart and the Murdoch bullies. And don’t let the door hit you on the way out .. departing White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will have to find some other room full of captives to abuse after venting on journalists at press conferences for 18 months. Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does the ABC really promote concepts of murder? Is it really a hotbed of bloodthirsty revolutionaries - because of ONE distasteful comedy skit?We take look at the Murdoch media frothing at the mouth to defend Gina Rinehart who featured in a tasteless ABC comedy skit … the same Murdoch empire that doesn’t give a toss about AJP MP Georgie Purcell who The Age reports is the target of death threats and sexualised abuse EVERY DAY. Should we be taking moral advice from a propaganda machine that incites hatred against minorities and sexualises women as part of its core business model?Plus how the world’s powerful media tech owners operate - the ABC has discovered Meta the parent company of Facebook is paying rage bait creators with links to neo Nazis. And Denis demolishes an Age headline “Uni Academics Say No to $35m Gift” as the hard right “Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation” tries to chequebook its way into the prestigious University of Melbourne.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pauline Hanson is at it again, banning media she doesn’t like.This time it’s The Age, banned, along with Guardian Australia and the ABC, from One Nation’s press conference called to announce its candidates for November’s Victorian state election.But the shocking thing is the spineless way the media are taking this.Also, News Corporation is in full campaigning mode on behalf of the anti-Labor forces in Victoria’s forthcoming state election.Its Melbourne tabloid, the Herald Sun, has spent the week excoriating the new Labor premier Ben Carroll, with headlines like “Ben’s shirk from home” and “Stop this trainwreck.And Zoe Daniel, former ABC journalist turned politician, turns her gaze on the performance of the Canberra press gallery.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jacinta Allan has finally read the room (and the dire polls) and resigned as Premier. Her blind spot? Failing to understand the deep anger around the entrenched corruption and taxpayer dollars that are being funnelled to the crooks who have the Big Build infrastructure project in a vice-like grip.It is mega-scale organised crime brought to the surface by the dogged, forensic reporting of Age journalist Nick McKenzie. [from 6:50]We also unpack the ABCs removal of two suspect Four Corners episodes reported by a (now sacked) journalist recruited by the national broadcaster after an earlier life as a Mongols bikie.[from 19:35]And Zoe Daniel says the media is to blame for the rise of One Nation as Pauline Hanson plumbs new depths blaming some women for the domestic violence scourge despite data revealing that the perpetrators are overwhelmingly men.[from 29:15]Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We couldn’t go past critiquing Sunday nights Spotlight program which travelled to the UK to watch Pauline Hanson meet the violent racist Tommy Robinson. What could possibly go wrong? Pauline Hanson has now angrily turned on her fawning (ex) mates at the Seven Network, leaking the bigotry laced email pitch they’d sent to One Nation while trying to talk Hanson into meeting Britains hard right grievance magnets The meetings happened. The cameras rolled. Muslims were stereotyped and baited and denigrated. Seven got their interview. But Tommy Robinson was accurately portrayed as a violent crook (wasn’t in the masterplan) and Hanson was condemned for lamenting the end of the white supremacist White Australia Policy and saying she “loves” the brutal idea of mass deportations. And the hour of hate that went to air was not journalism. [from 6:05]Plus how do you report an election when the leading contender is a bloke wearing a rubbish bin on his head? In the UK Monty Pythonesque lunacy descends on the Nigel Farage by-election contest.[from 45:40]Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anti semitism envoy Jillian Segal wants an “oversight committee” to correct “perceived” failings in ABC coverage of Gaza while providing no actual evidence.Denis Muller calls it out for what it is - “rank censorship.”[from 04:50]Plus Peter Dutton once called a female journalist a “mad f+king witch.”We look at the rise of the online activist group which takes its name from that slur and is efficiently bringing down violently racist and sexist broadcasters and their enablers. [from 16:40]And he was once a national media juggernaut - loved and loathed in equal measure but always backing in his principles - including jail stints for exposing crooks and paedophiles. We farewell the force of nature, the journalist, the author, the broadcaster and the one time Senator Derryn Hinch who has died aged 82. [from 34:40]Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Denis Muller speaks with Andrew Dodd and Matthew Ricketson about their new book “Getting Murdoched”, available now through Hardie Grant Publishing. Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Zuckerberg's 'Meta' has had the blowtorch applied by the Royal Commission into Anti Semitism. It appears the tech giant's decision to allow more hate speech on Facebook to appease Donald Trump (and make s+loads of cash) has unleashed more, well, ugly hate speech. Who knew.[from 04:30]We also check in on poor old Karl Stefanovic, now complaining that TV is too "biege" while lamenting how poorly he's been treated for platforming the violent racist Tommy Robinson - all while podcasting from mate Piers Morgan's super-luxury yacht moored in the sparkling waters off Cannes.  [from 17:10]And we went along to the book launch by Malcolm Turnbull of "Getting Murdoched - How The Murdoch Media Wields Power and Punishment" - a read that is simultaneously compelling and terrifying.  [from 37:30]Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re watching textbook cases of great public interest journalism as The Ages Nick McKenzie takes on the Premier over rampant corruption on the “Big Build” while at the same time Karl the Unemployed platforms a violent crook and tries to convince us he did it “for you.”We also look at the new evidence reported by The Guardian about One Nation “meme factories” supporting claims from Senator Whish Wilson that someone with shiteloads of cash is buying and spreading fake Pauline Hanson posts in an attempt to rig Australian elections.We unpack why a straight talking former Supreme Court Judge Lex Lasry has blasted the media and MPs for ratcheting up the law and order “performative outrage” ..And we honour our unique multicultural TV channel SBS as we return to that breathtaking live moment when Awer Mabil an African Australian Socceroo superstar who arrived as a refugee realises his childhood SBS broadcast hero is asking him a question ..and is suddenly beaming but awestruck and lost for words. Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Australia’s doyens of political journalism invite a journo-hating bigot to the National Press Club and, with 2 honourable exceptions, fail to challenge the hate and falsehoods that follow. Plus .. Senator Whish Wilson reveals the foreign generated flood of AI bots that are behind One Nations meteoric rise as he asks Australia and the media to “wake the fk up.”And Virginia Trioli, the journo who took on Peter Reith and won, leaves the ABC after 27 years.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump has delivered “peace with punches” according to a gushing Nine News report from the violent MMA fight in the “claw” on the front lawn of the White House.Not everyone is so keen to pump up the President’s tyres as commercial television (thankfully) but watch as all sides in the Iran peace deal now launch the “all my own work” spin wars. In Perth there’s been another run in with One Nation and the national broadcaster. Access to taxpayer funded MPs should not be “for sale” but an ABC reporter has again been booted out of a Pauline Hanson event after being asked to pay $60 for a ticket. And at Seven it’s a case of “you have a new owner and you’re fired” for 300 staffers. We look at the financial pressures and the human toll as jobs are axed at Channel Seven.Ep Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why have the hard right Murdoch media turned on their golden girl Pauline Hanson?We unpack the savage attacks usually reserved for hated enemies .. as the hatchet job phenomenon known as “getting Murdoched” turns on One Nation and News Corp eats its own.Plus more harrowing stories emerge of rape on an industrial scale meted out to Australian women by Israeli forces .. why can the media only find outrage over Grace Tame getting work on an ABC podcast? And Donald Trump storms out of an interview with NBCs Meet The Press, enraged that the reporter repeatedly reminded him that there is no evidence to support his claims of rigged elections.  Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gina “One Nation” Rinehart is adding “media mogul” to her business card.The mining billionaire has just bought into Southern Cross Media. the owner of the Seven Network - a broadcaster that boasts televisions highest rating news services. Can we now expect Warp 5 migrant bashing, nuclear level climate denying, peak ABC hating and Pauline Hanson back on Dancing With The Stars? Watch this space.Plus we honour the 18 year old American journalism student who stood before the most powerful pro-Trump CBS News executives at a glittering Emmys ceremony and dropped a stunning truth bomb right into their laps. Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Australian activists are beaten and sexually abused by Israel - we unpack why this is not just a “normal” news story.The UK is flocking to watch GB News a hard right disinformation channel starring Nigel Farage and headed up by the former boss of Australia’s Sky News - despite polls revealing it is the least trusted of all the news outlets. And we farewell AFL legend Neale Daniher who used his high media profile to fight MND knowing the disease would take his life but in the knowledge his campaign would help others.“Truth Lies & Media” drops just after midnight Wednesday morning! Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s our SpineWatch edition! We’re on the search for that elusive media backbone .. as the ABC is strangely silent following the ejection of its news crew from a One Nation press conference .. but then strongly pushes back against the demands of Jillian Segal the anti semitism special envoy.Plus Pauline Hanson declares she wants to be PM while Tony Abbott still thinks he is and is eyeing a NSW seat so he can return triumphantly to the federal parliament.Can we expect vigorous questioning when these two float their ambitions on Murdoch’s Sky News? (🚨No Spine Detected alert)And the network that got burned by the sexist, crude and bigoted Kyle and Jackie O show …. hires Karl and Eddie. Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ABC bashing season returns as One Nation boots out a regional journalist from an Albury press conference on the eve of the Farrer by election.The right wing media turn up to the dial to fear as the so called ISIS brides and their children return to Australia .. but are they really a terror threat or just easy clickbait?We farewell the media pioneer Ted Turner who created CNN and the 24 hour news channel phenomena .. And we honour two giants of political journalism Laurie Oakes and Michelle Grattan who have just received the first lifetime achievement awards granted by the federal press gallery in its 125 year history.  Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The heartbreaking image of a little Indigenous girl abducted and killed flashes around Australia and the world as riots erupt in Alice Springs.  It is an important story but begs the question: Why are Indigenous communities ignored by mainstream media until a tragedy of immense proportions makes it impossible to look away?In the US political activist Jess Craven unleashes on journalists who paid good money and suited up so they could attend a gala dinner with their presidential abuser suggesting the profession might be suffering from Stockholm Syndrome "Get some self esteem" she tells them. "He is dismantling your entire industry. He hates you".Plus can you imagine the front page outrage if it were Anthony Albanese being gifted a one million dollar aircraft by Australia's richest woman? Once again Pauline Hanson gets a free ride.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The politics of violence turns to Donald Trump - The President who threatened to wipe out an entire civilisation and incited a violent mob to storm the Capitol turns on the media as his press secretary bizarrely claims it is Democrats and journalists responsible for the politically violent narratives that preceded the White House Correspondents dinner assassination attempt.Apology not accepted - the former Fox News host Tucker Carlson has apologised for his role in promoting Donald Trump claiming he will be "tormented" for misleading millions of people into supporting someone he knew was a "bad character".The Port Arthur massacre - Australia pauses to remember those innocents who lost their lives to a deranged gunman at Port Arthur on a nightmarish day 30 years ago .. and those families, first responders, medics, local communities and reporters who still carry the scars.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prison warders rush to shield accused Australian war criminal Ben Roberts Smith from media intrusion by blocking the path of photographers .. why are some prisoners more equal than others?Prince Harry and Meghan fly home to the US but not before the Duchess shares disturbing revelations about how the billion dollar social media hate industry trolls her.Trusted ABC finance presenter Alan Kohler is warning viewers about a fraudulent but disturbingly believable AI video circulating on Facebook where he appears to be having a stand up blue with Commonwealth Bank CEO Matt Comyn.  And Hungary is finally freed from a corrupted state broadcaster that served as a Nazi style propaganda arm for a dictator with the success of Prime Minister elect Peter Magyar.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Within hours of Donald Trump becoming the first openly genocidal fascist US President .. Ice Queen Melania Trump holds a dramatic press conference calling for "the lies" to end and solemnly denying she was a victim of Jeffrey Epstein - claims virtually no-one was making until she swept up to address the press pack.    Was this a bizarre political media strategy aiming at distracting attention from the President threatening that "an entire civilisation will die tonight" or just the chaotic violent shitshow this administration rolls out each day?And Prince Harry and Megan arrive in Australia to an adoring public but to an occasionally sniggering media class. The frustrated Murdoch scribes, finding nothing negative to report, dream up a story about how much extra police resourcing might cost to provide security for the "millionaire visitors" and then encourage the new Liberal leader Jess Wilson to attack the phantom expenditure which exists only in their thought bubble.Why do these two well meaning ex Royals visiting a children's hospital and hosting a wellness retreat trigger such frothing rage at News Corp?  Denis Muller unpeels the layers of a classic beat up.  Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Australia's most decorated soldier Ben Roberts Smith is arrested over alleged war crimes and taken into custody .. the alleged crimes, which Roberts Smith denies ever happened, may never have come under scrutiny had it not been for the dogged work of investigative journalists Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters.Plus .. Trump's armageddon threats follow his expletive ridden demands that Iran open the f+king strait of Hormuz "you crazy bastards" - the sort of commentary you'd see graffitied on the back of a public toilet door.  Can we call him deranged yet?And facing extinction, the Victorian Liberal President blasts the party's disastrous habit of taking policy advice from hard right Murdoch mouthpieces Peta Credlin and Pauline Hanson.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newsrooms go into overdrive as Australia's most wanted man Dezi Freeman is shot dead .. but how do you report the death of a police killer without sounding like you are dancing on the grave of a dead man? Also this week - the disturbing trend of "journocide" as Israel murders three Lebanese reporters.And the dangers of an old media habit that "sanewashes" the rambling, incoherent pathologically lying Donald Trump. Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Denis Muller warns of the dangers around broadcasting a known liar and racist live to air as respected political journalists call on the media to challenge the hate of Pauline Hanson while One Nation surges in popularity.Major disruptions to hit news programs as ABC staff go on strike, frustrated over repeated below inflation pay rises and the insidious practice of forcing staff on to precarious month to month contracts.  Plus how do you report on an emerging crisis as hundreds of petrol stations across Australia run out of fuel? Actual facts need to make a comeback rigfht across the media spectrum .. but who will play it straight and who will weaponise the fear?Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A special live recording of our discussion with Michael Bradley - How Crikey fought off the Murdoch empire, and other stories. You can find more of Michael's work here:https://publishing.monash.edu/authors/michael-bradley/Our sincere thanks to everyone who came along, and the staff of the Northern Arts Hotel for a fabulous night! Recorded on March 15 2026.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyXSupport independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beware the unholy alliance - Mark Zuckerberg's gargantuan Meta and the monster Murdoch media have just joined forces in a deal that creates the world's biggest disinformation machine enabling News Corps hard right, hate filled content to teach Meta's artificial intelligence products how to respond to questions.Expect a massive hook up which will amplify anti migrant, anti science, anti minority narratives.Denis Muller says if you're worried about disinformation and fakery, this is a vision from hell.  While we're skating the hellscape, Donald Trump is falsely accusing media outlets of treason for failing to gush over his disastrous bombing war, a crime punishable by death. The Presidents sycophantic media regulator is threatening the broadcast networks with licence revocation unless they stick to the company line.And the brash Australian media mogul, ACMs Antony Catalano who snapped up dozens of regional mastheads in 2019, has made headlines of his own - for all the wrong reasons.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Nicole and Denis live at Ballarat Library in discussion with journalist and author Professor Matthew Ricketson.Matthew’s latest and forthcoming book is Getting Murdoched: How Murdoch’s Media Wields Power and Punishment, co-authored by Andrew Dodd. This event is brought to you by ABC Friends Ballarat, ABC Alumni and Ballarat Libraries. Recorded on March 11 2026.Our sincere thanks to everyone who came along, and to all the staff and organisers for a fantastic event!Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Truth, Lies & Media Live📆 Sunday 15th March🕦 6:30pm📍 The Coolroom, Northern Arts Hotel, Castlemaine 🎫 TicketsSupport independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Distressed members of the Iranian women's national soccer team have been dramatically granted asylum in Australia .. following threats to their lives from Iran after they refused to sing the national anthem ahead of an Asian Cup game.It was an intense operation cloaked in secrecy and the media that knew about it were asked not to blow the whistle to protect them.  We look at the story of international intrigue that was somehow successfully kept under wraps.Plus we dive into the disinformation war running alongside Donald Trump's bombing war. The US President is now falsely claiming it was Iran that murdered 175 people, mostly children, at an elementary school on the first day of the attack, despite clear evidence the slaughter was delivered by a Tomahawk missile - the type only used by the United States in this conflict.And we wave goodbye to the $200m radio juggernaut that was vile Kyle and Jackie O. Turns out they hate each other more than any minority they liked to persecute on the radio.Support independent journalismBecome a member Our SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Truth, Lies & Media Live📆 Sunday 15th March🕦 6:30pm📍 The Coolroom, Northern Arts Hotel, Castlemaine 🎫 TicketsSupport independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The fascist President who wants a Nobel Peace Prize just bombed Iran killing hundreds of innocents including 100 schoolgirls. Violent tyrant Donald Trump spins the bloodshed as a battle of good versus evil .. who in the media fall for the BS?And just when we don’t need another hard right collection of divisive haters rocketing up the podcast charts, Nines $2.8M man Karl Stefanovic goes Rogan.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Truth, Lies & Media Live📆 Sunday 15th March🕦 6:30pm📍 The Coolroom, Northern Arts Hotel, Castlemaine 🎫 TicketsSupport independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Palace PR machine kept ex Prince Andrew’s tawdry secrets hidden for decades - but no more. Denis Muller describes the “startled corpse” photo that flew around the world within minutes and revisits the other great royal scandal also covered up - the Hitler fanboy Edward viii who called on Britain from exile after abdicating to make peace with the violent fascist. Plus the New York Daily News calls out the Trump administration as a the world’s biggest criminal enterprise - existing to lie, steal and murder - in a powerful editorial truth bomb.And the spread of white supremacist, climate denying narratives into news feeds is normalising dangerous, racist, democracy-destroying ideas ..and it’s been meticulously planned that way. So why won’t the media report on the Senate inquiry which is revealing the dark forces behind this toxic disinformation machinery?  “Truth Lies & Media” drops just after midnight Wednesday mornings!Support independent journalismBecome a member Our SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Truth, Lies & Media Live📆 Sunday 15th March🕦 6:30pm📍 The Coolroom, Northern Arts Hotel, Castlemaine 🎫 TicketsSupport independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Riddle me this .. Why aren't the media hitting the alarm bells over the Australian MAGA machine trying to install a Trumpian government in this country? They call themselves Advance, they fawn over Pauline Hanson, they are funded by rich conservative donors and they set their attack dogs on voices that refuse to sing from the whites only, climate denying, back to the 50's hard right playbook. It's a big story getting minimal attention.  Plus we look at the gushing media interviews rolled out for the new Liberal leader, Angus "Watergate" Taylor.. you will have heard lots of slogans about "Australian values" but no mention of the Robodebt cabinet he served in or dogwhistling to racists.  And the once mighty Gallup polling agency, the founder of all modern public opinion methodology, bends the knee to Donald Trump.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ASIO takes aim at the ABC as Four Corners questions intelligence failures in the lead up to the Bondi terror attack .. The mighty Washington Post which broke the Watergate scandal now being detonated by its owner Jeff Bezos in order to curry favour with a corrupt President.And the bizarre “love and friendship” headline published by The Age for the visiting Israeli President Isaac Herzog, accused of inciting a genocide. Plus we farewell Jon Kudelka, beloved political cartoonist. Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dean Allen-Craig interviews our very own Nicole Chvastek on his new podcast "That's News To Me".From TV News to live Radio talk-back, Nicole has so many amazing stories to share. Adding to this, her own personal story of re-connecting with her birth mother after 30 years is an extrordinary story.You can find more TNTM episodes on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/show/1dyRp0RR0rkjgpKH947t9V?si=dc258468e6d14be8Denis and Nicole will be back next Wednesday for weekly discussions of media ethics.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bondi media BS .. how the mainstream media led by the Murdoch press wanted the public to think it was railing against hate while it weaponised a massacre.In the US we examine the arrest of a former CNN anchor Don Lemon in a Trump crackdown to silence the press after the fascist regimes agents executed a mother and then an ED nurse in Minneapolis.At the same time Washington Post boss Jeff Bezos pays a brazen bribe as he pays millions to Melania Trump to make a movie about Melania Trump starring Melania Trump .. which has spectacularly bombed.And the Australian news outlets openly sexist headline “Why I Wouldn’t Marry Sussan Ley” sparks fury as it reduces a political leaders worth to her desirability as a wife.“Truth Lies @ Media” roars into 2026!💥Apple & Spotify Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Minneapolis ED nurse is executed by an ICE terror squad - the second killing in a month - as Donald Trump dummy spits being overlooked for a Nobel Peace Prize. Is there a legal way of getting rid of the neo fascist President of the United States?Prof Emeritus Damien Kingsbury talks us through the Congressional processes that need to happen first.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the future of a world where untouchable gangster states can ignore international law and storm into sovereign countries, kill innocents, kidnap the President and thieve their resources? Are we next if we don’t do what we’re told? This special Deep Dive episode scrutinises Trumps brazenly illegal kidnapping of a head of state in order to steal Venezuelas vast oil reserves.With Prof Emeritus (International Politics) Damien Kingsbury.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for the last weekly discussion in 2025 - It's been a wonderful year! We'll be back in early 2026. Thank you for listening and for all your support! Have a safe and happy holiday season, and all the best from us at TLAM - Nicole, Denis, Simon, Brendan, Denes and Pixie. Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A fired up Kerry O’Brien delivers some truth bombs at journalism’s night of nights .. but why did some of Nines papers omit his praise for courageous Palestinian reporters who paid with their lives to report a genocide. Plus .. the BBC bends the knee to Trump, cutting criticism from a prestigious lecture it commissioned.And whose ABC? Wall to wall white guys handed all the plum broadcasting jobs at ABC Radio Sydney.  Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phil Johnson returns to share his unique experience and insights.Content Warning - This conversation includes themes of violent crime and post-traumatic stress. For help please call the Blue Knot Helpline on 1300 657 380.Rain falling on a roof is a disturbing sound for journalist Phil Johnson. People walking behind him makes him jumpy. Then there’s the nightmares. Our special Saturday edition “Truth Lies & Media” encore, with this remarkable veteran former court reporter, takes us deeper into the stories you don’t see behind the big headlines and, as always, is as compelling as it is courageous.Join us next Wednesday for our weekly Truth, Lies and Media episode.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We take a revealing look inside the head of billionaire ex media baron James Packer who, from his yacht, has savaged Dan Andrews for nearly "ruining his life" with a multi million dollar tax bill that Crown had to pay when Packer was at the helm. Still you'd consider the insults a badge of honour when you consider his list of heroes - an alleged war criminal, a hardline media propagandist and a fascist President.Plus .. Donald Trump publicly berates an ABC journalist who challenges a Saudi Prince that the President is fawning over.  Donald Trump hurled his "fake news" jibes at reporter Mary Bruce despite the CIA finding that it was Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who ordered the grisly killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.And Andrew Bolt along with other News Corp stars, now facing a discrimination complaint brought by iconic Australian actor Claudia Karvan and Palestinian anti genocide activists."Truth Lies & Media" drops at midnight Wednesday morning .. and don't miss our upcoming Saturday deep dive .. This weekend we take a behind-the-scenes look at life being dropped into true crime stories with veteran former court reporter Phil Johnson - what it does to survivors, to loved ones and to the journalists who bring you the news. Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A major shake up is unfolding at Channel 9 which will see dozens of jobs axed as the free-to-air broadcaster merges with its 'Stan' streaming operations.The dramatic restructure reflects the reality of declining traditional TV revenues while digital streaming services boom - but what will it mean for audiences?We take a look at the legacy of the notorious hard man of the NSW Labor Right Graham Richardson who has died aged 76 - the ruthless powerbroker whose shady dealings prompted investigative journalist Kate McClymont to describe him as "the one who got away." And the Victorian Liberals suddenly have a new leader after some lightning bolt bloodletting that no-one saw coming. We look at the art of getting the jump on the betrayal and the brutality of political leadership spills - the story that has it all.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sally Gibson was a young self described ‘politics nut’ and writer for ‘The Age’ who had watched in horror as her hero Labor PM Gough Whitlam had been sacked. But women weren’t selected to cover the big politics stories back in the day. In fact when she’d applied for a journalism cadetship she was told no .. because her husband ‘would want dinner on the table by 6pm.’Then one day the phone at her desk rang. It was a call that would dramatically pitch her into the lives of all the larger than life players from Nov 11 1975 and sweep her up in a landmark TV docu-drama called “The Dismissal.’Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where were you 50 years ago when Australian democracy appeared to be on the verge of tearing itself apart over the sacking of the messianic Labor PM Gough Whitlam?Denis Muller was working as federal parliamentary sub editor at the Sydney Morning Herald and describes that newsroom on Remembrance Day 1974 as a political tidal wave hit.Plus .. Donald Trump rolls out his tried and true business model - confecting outrage and then extorting money from the media - this time he wants $1b from the BBC for a misleading edit .. And we remember the glitter, the pomposity, the devotees and the scandals that characterised of the life of Sydney talkback radio star John Laws who has died at the age of 90.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOr go to: buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.