Truth, Lies and Media

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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur 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 memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another fairytale Melbourne Cup story goes down in history .. but who shines a light on the shameful way many of the thoroughbred champions are treated? And .. first there was Robodebt - now the Australian Tax Office is using an aggressive private debt collector to hunt taxpayers including welfare recipients - while billionaire media propagandist Rupert Murdoch pays no tax.Is salacious gossip “news?” We look at the Victorian Liberal MP and his wife who are suing the Herald Sun in the first test of new privacy laws .. And ABC staff who struggle to get a pay rise unimpressed as Aunty pays $836,000 to the former executive who illegally sacked Antoinette Lattouf - for just 8 months work. Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Silencing the truthtellers .. A furore ignites after the National Press Club cancels a pro Palestinian commentator and then falsely denies he was ever booked .. The ABCs David Marr then interviews the Pulitzer Prize winning war correspondent .. but it too turns into an attack.Why such rage triggered by the celebrated Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Chris Hedges whose sin was apparently to observe that the Western media had been amplifying Israel's lies over the killing in Gaza.Plus .. Google AI falsely names a Sydney Morning Herald employee as a child killer.. we discuss the chilling danger of replacing journalists with artificial intelligence.Also .. Lying for votes - new research reveals politicians and political parties were the key drivers of misinformation during the 2025 federal election .. And ex ABC Chair Ita Buttrose is doing a media blitz to sell her new book .. but is also wiping her hands of any blame for the multi million dollar debacle that started with the illegal sacking of journalist Antoinette Lattouf to placate an aggressive pro Israel lobby.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In front of a world audience Anthony Albanese charms the irascible, unpredictable, self-aggrandising President of the United States, inking a lucrative rare earths deal for Australia and artfully defusing a petty insult thrown at ambassador Kevin Rudd - who once called Trump the "village idiot".The Age describes the landmark meeting as "a raging success" but News Corp drags out its haters to run LNP talking points and to claim Rudd was "lashed" and "humiliated"Mind you, this is the same discredited hard right News Corp who, courtesy of The Australiannewspaper, eagerly agreed to curbs on reporting issued by Pentagon control freaks that effectively criminalised journalism - before an embarrassing backflip.In the UK we take a critical look at the BBC edict ordering journalists not to wear "Black Lives Matter" t-shirts in the newsroom ..And fifty years after their murder by Indonesian special forces, we honour the memory of the Balibo Five - the newsmen who died attempting to report on the brutal and bloody invasion of East Timor.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The attempted global rebrand of Donald Trump from dictatorial tyrant to world peacemaker is in full swing .. but will the media fall for it?The backdrop of the Egypt peace summit, lavish orchestral music and freed hostages is not convincing everybody as innocent Americans continue to be rounded up violently by masked ICE enforcers and Trumps corrupt business deals come under scrutiny.Plus the new ABC MD reveals the national broadcasters failed court fight with illegally sacked broadcaster Antoinette Lattouf has so far cost the taxpayer two and a half million dollars .. Hugh Marks told Senate Estimates the debacle had been “totally avoidable”And News Corps endless harassment of Brittany Higgins ratchets up again.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Special Live Event with ABC Friends Inner Melbourne. Moderated by Dr Jennifer Bowen, Nicole and Denis discuss the making of this podcast, and answer questions about the state of the media in Australia and the world. Recorded on October 7, 2025, at the "Meet the Podcasters" event.Many thanks to everyone involved for a fantastic night! Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Using the violent language of Mussolini, Trump and his Secretary of War Pete Hegseth tell 800 generals and admirals that they will be expected to wage war in Democrat cities against American citizens they are sworn to protect claiming there is "an enemy within."The American media immediately went "red alert" at the unprecedented threat from a President to the people .. Why did the Australian media focus on Hegseth's "fat generals" slur and"woke bashing?"Plus Oscar winning actor Jane Fonda reactivates the Hollywood free speech activist group her father started to combat the rise of McCarthyism warning Donald Trump there's a fight coming ..And Rupert Murdoch's News Australia pays no tax but carries on demonising welfare recipients for expecting an "age of entitlement."Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A speeding stolen car, an injured pedestrian and terrified onlookers puts Bourke Street in the headlines again, in a chilling reminder of the deadly 2017 rampage. But when crime is retraumatising a city, why is the media response endless "lock em up and throw away the key" stories?Plus the end of an era with the Channel Seven media baron Kerry Stokes to retire after a $400m Seven West merger deal with Australia's biggest radio owner Southern Cross Media.  Another ominous legal settlement for Donald Trump who'll get $24m from YouTube which suspended his account in the wake of the Jan 6 riot - an extortion shakedown in plain sight says Dr Denis Muller.And Sky News which lectures the ABC and other media on journalistic integrity dumps the TV show that put an Islamophobic bigot live to air wearing rashers of bacon on his shoulders to protect him from "terrorists".Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The public backlash at the sacking of American late night host Jimmy Kimmel to appease Donald Trump becomes a hurricane .. and the Disney-owned ABC backflips as it hemorrhages money and subscribers.  Denis Muller says we are watching before our eyes the decay of the American democracy as its tyrannical leader terrorises major media outlets who broadcast or publish political critiques. Plus the Australian ABC reporter who made global headlines just by asking a legitimate question of the US President, prompting a classic tantrum and flurry of threats. Also .. Lachlan Murdoch tipped to buy into Tik Tok grabbing a major global social media platform in which to spread his dangerous hard right messaging. At the same time a signature Murdoch show on Sky News - which repeatedly lectures the ABC on morality - broadcasts an Islam-hating bigot wearing bacon rashers on his shoulders he says will protect him from "terrorists."And wake up Canberra press gallery! There are more important stories than fevered reporting on every second that Anthony Albanese did not meet the orange wrecking ball.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Honour and the Cost of Court Reporting:From the Age to AW to the ABC, from the Gangland Wars to Black Saturday .. In this Saturday special of “Truth Lies and Media” Nicole Chvastek and the award winning court reporter Phil Johnson take us behind the scenes of some of Australia’s most unforgettable news stories. He saw a notorious hitman in court just hours before he was killed and was struck like lightning with a palpable sense of foreboding. He spent years in court as a reporter for 3AW watching Australia’s underworld criminals fight the long arm of the law but also seeing the victims in their grief, anger and dignity.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Register here for our live Q&A Event on 7th October, hosted by Friends of the ABC:https://events.humanitix.com/truth-lies-and-media-meet-the-podcasters-talkThe shooting death of Trump youth ally Charlie Kirk lights a bonfire of media coverage and debate - but why did the June double murder of a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband barely rate a mention in comparison?News of the shooting murder of Charlie Kirk swept around the world within minutes. The MAGA superstar was famous for arguing that gun deaths were an acceptable price to pay for gun freedoms - now he is dead at the hands of a sniper.Plus .. brace yourself for Fox News coming to Australia .. the Murdoch outlet that perpetuated the rigged election lie and has just been forced to apologise after one of its on air stars advocated giving lethal injections to mentally ill homeless people.And Stephen Colbert whose No. 1 rating "The Late Show" was axed by Paramount to appease Donald Trump has the last laugh with three standing ovations and an Emmy at American TVs night of nights.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Investigative Journalism and What It Takes to Win:Denis Muller speaks with journalist Charlotte Grieve, the driving force behind the investigation of a renowned orthopaedic surgeon, resulting in a remarkable defamation case win for The Age / Channel 9.Thank you to our amazing supporters! You can help us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaSupport independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is there anyone out there the LNP don't hate? Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, the Liberal senator who aspires to be PM, blames the media after she gives an interview sledging Indian immigrants, triggering a backlash within her own party.  It's straight from the Trump playbook - demonising migrants and the journalists who report you doing it.Plus Murdoch's Sky News plays "as live" to air an uninterrupted unedited rant from neo Nazi Thomas Sewell .. live press conferences are usually reserved for reputable senior voices of authority, not white supremacists spreading hate.Denis Muller says we are witnessing an unfolding new era of racism. And the hunt to discover who is bankrolling war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith's failed defamation fight as lawyers for Nine ask for a please explain from billionaire Gina Rinehart.Thank you to our amazing supporters! You can help us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaSupport independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Neo Nazi inserts himself into the news cycle with a bizarre and menacing rant at Jacinta Allan as she holds a press conference forcing it to be abandoned.These are not ‘anti immigration” protesters - they are violent racists. So why do some media normalise and downplay their dangerous hate speak?Plus whistleblower Richard Boyle had his life turned into hell by the ATO after he lifted the lid on their unethical debt collection practices - so they pursued him for seven years. Now a court has allowed him to walk free without a conviction.And why does Bob Katter want to punch a Channel Nine journalist for telling the truth?Thank you to our amazing supporters! You can help us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaSupport independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The shockwaves reverberate as two police officers are murdered in cold blood by a maniac with a gun and a grudge. The grief hits Victoria Police the families of the slain officers like a sledge hammer .. and the accused killer is now on the run.  How can journalists do justice to the outpouring of emotion and avoid intruding on those who are suffering while still ensuring the community is kept informed?Denis Muller will unpack the pressure points around reporting profound tragedy.And rape survivor Brittany Higgins ordered to pay her former boss Linda Reynolds $341,000 in damages and interest by the WA Supreme Court after a series of defamatory social media posts.. a huge win for the former Defence Minister. But why has West Australia along with the NT not enacted a critical public interest defence law which is in place everywhere else around Australia?Thank you to our amazing supporters! You can help us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaSupport independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fear not! This week's episode of Truth, Lies and Media will be available on Thursday instead of Wednesday, so that we can give you a full analysis of the WA Supreme Court defamation case unfolding right now.See you tomorrow!As always, Thank you to our amazing supporters! You can help us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaSupport independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We'd love to see you at our live Q&A on 7th October at the North Fitzroy Library hosted by Friends of the ABC:https://events.humanitix.com/truth-lies-and-media-meet-the-podcasters-talk__Dogwhistling up clickbait - A News Corp tabloid reproduces a flyer for an anti immigration national protest complete with racist slogans, dates and times .. as a young migrant chef tells us why she will be too afraid to travel to her workplace on that day.Is a letter of complaint from a pro Israel lobby about a Palestinian author the reason the Bendigo Writers Festival ordered authors not to discuss "inflammatory" topics - and was then left in ruins when half of the invited authors refused to attend?And we farewell gentleman film reviewer David Stratton some 'At The Movies' highlights and the moving written tribute from his friend and co-host Margaret Pomeranz. Thank you to our amazing supporters! You can help us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaSupport independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A deadly airstrike kills the whole of Al Jazeeras reporting team in Gaza City .. Israel increasingly enraged as the world sees the carnage and opinion turns against them. Five newsmen died .. their crime .. telling their peoples story of starvation and suffering. Australia now says it will recognise a Palestinian state conditional on the removal of Hamas .. as the Liberals and their mates at News Corp unleash on the Prime Minister Plus The Age wins another mega defamation court battle.And if print newspapers are facing imminent extinction why is Rupert Murdoch rolling out a new one in California and partying like it's 1965?Thank you to our amazing supporters! You can help us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaSupport independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Murdoch's News Corp conflates a remarkably peaceful pro Palestine protest with hate and Hamas. Sky News called the historic Sydney Harbour Bridge rally a sign of "moral decline."It didn't matter this was the voice of up to 300,000 people taking a stand against violence and starvation. It didn't matter there were no arrests and no violence, even when police had to turn that sea of humanity around and send it back to the CBD.  Denis Muller says there is no limit to what News Corp will do to distort coverage of events and issues it is hostile to.Plus a Victorian MP to sue the Herald Sun in what may become a test case of new privacy laws.And 10 News Plus was touted as a "fresh" new way of doing news .. but is anybody watching the tanking show they bumped The Project for?__Read the Barney Zwartz article on Israel and Palestine here (may require a subscription):https://www.theage.com.au/world/middle-east/in-30-years-at-the-age-i-never-wrote-on-israel-palestine-now-i-must-20250801-p5mjla.htmlThank you to our amazing supporters! You can help us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaSupport independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Journalist Gary Tippet has seen a lot of tragedy but when he was assigned to cover the Port Arthur massacre and stopped at a beautiful old tree where two little girls and their mother were murdered something broke in him and he could not stop the tears.How do journalists carry the trauma of the stories they report .. and how do they protect the survivors from secondary trauma when they approach them for an interview on what is often the worst day of their life?This is a fascinating and revealing first hand insight into news gathering by one of the Australian media’s most experienced and respected Walkley Award winning journalists. Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A photo of a skeletal child cradled in its mothers arms finally brings home the horror of mass starvation in Gaza and the tide of media opinion turns against Israel.Denis Muller says journalists are discarding an old taboo and using the word "genocide" to describe the mass starvation Israel denies is happening.Plus the big global news organisations sign a joint statement warning the journalists and photographers telling this story of man made famine and brutality will themselves soon die from starvation if aid doesn't come quickly.  And first there was Fox News .. now the United States looks like getting another Trump mouthpiece news network as presidential ally and the world's second richest man Larry Ellison buys Paramount, parent company of CBS. Thank you to our amazing supporters! You can help us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaSupport independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reporting on a massacre - Israel mows down dozens of starving Palestinians trying to get food at aid hubs. Dr. Denis Muller says only running IDF talking points while covering these atrocities is not journalism, and sets out the principles reporters should be keeping in mind.  Plus the growing calls for anti semitism envoy Jillian Segal to be sacked after it was revealed her husband donated $50,000 to a hate group called Advance which runs anti Palestinian narratives ..And two tribes go to war .. An enraged Donald Trump sues the media mogul who helped get him into the White House. Rupert Murdoch's being accused of libel after his paper The Wall Street Journal reported details of a lewd birthday greeting Trump allegedly wrote to sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.  Thank you to our amazing supporters! You can help us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmediaSupport independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.