We used to be journalists, but now we mostly just bitch about them. (Kidding. Kind of.) We also break down broken news.Episodes drop Wednesday and Saturday.Hosted by long-suffering journalists and even longer-suffering friends Jan Fran and Antoinette Lattouf, We Used to Be Journos pulls apart the week in media from people who know exactly how the machine runs because they worked inside it for decades.Every Wednesday, the pair sift through the headlines you saw and the forces you did not. Expect...
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Episode List

ONLY FRAN: What happened to Anthony Albanese?

Mar 6th, 2026 6:00 PM

In this new Saturday break out series, Only Fran, Jan Fran looks at the who and the why of our Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. As the US-Israel war on Iran escalates, Jan takes a look at the man who went from strongly opposing “US militarism” to becoming the first world leader to support it. Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.If you want to see our mugs as we yap you can watch the episode in full here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Media parrots US Iran propaganda, ABC chair gets profiled + billionaire buys Warner Bros (and CNN)

Mar 3rd, 2026 6:00 PM

In this episode, Jan Fran and Antoinette look at the Australian media’s coverage of the U.S and Israeli attack on Iran and show how a narrative gets set in the first 24-48 hours. They also unpack Paramount’s $111billion takeover of Warner Bros Discovery, a deal that may suit Donald Trump but raises serious concerns for CNN, which could face the same kind of corporate and editorial pressure that has unsettled CBS.Plus, Jan Fran reckons a Good Weekend profile of ABC chair Kim Williams subtly reveals why he didn’t settle the Lattouf case before it got to the Federal Court. Also, a recognition for Guardian reporting that centres Australian children stranded in Syria, and a London Substack that took on a billionaire landlord and secured tenants a win.Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.If you want to see our mugs as we yap you can watch the episode in full here.Thanks to @jaidanielpyne for composing the music for our podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BBC’s baffling BAFTA censorship, Trump’s alien files + Jacinta Allan vs a journalist

Feb 24th, 2026 6:00 PM

In this episode, Jan Fran and Antoinette examine why the BBC cut out a BAFTA winner’s acceptance speech on human rights but kept in the moment the n-word was yelled across the stage. They also chuckle at the slew of actors squirming when asked about politics at the Berlin Film Festival. Plus, Donald Trump says he’ll release classified documents about aliens and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan lowkey bullies a reporter when pressed on the CFMEU scandal.Jan’s It’s A Yes From Me goes to Dropsite News for its detailed reporting on Jeffrey Epstein’s links to powerful people and places. Antoinette’s pick is Crikey’s Cut Through podcast for its clear-eyed, news-breaking investigation into Palantir, data surveillance, and how Australian government money continues to back the company despite links to unlawful ICE raids and AI-assisted attacks in Gaza. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Attacks on Francesca Albanese and Grace Tame, Liberal leader’s immigration lines + media forces sexual assault survivor to go public

Feb 17th, 2026 6:00 PM

In this episode, we lay out the parallels between political attacks on a UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories and a former Australian of the Year, and how large chunks of the media swallowed both with minimal scrutiny.We also share insider context and discuss how “harmful” reporting by the Canberra Times forced First Nations commissioner Vanessa Turnbull Roberts to go public about her sexual assault. Plus, why Angus Taylor’s media blitz is a harbinger for what’s to come in the “debate” about immigration. Responding to Etterati calls for ‘It’s A Yes From Me’, Antoinette singles out The Guardian’s excellent roundup of the sharpest insults politicians have lobbed at each other.Jan pulls double duty, backing AAP Fact Check and celebrating the sweet spot where sharp writing, strong connections, heavy research and hot goss meet, courtesy of former magazine editor Tina Brown’s Substack.Tsuno discount code is 'ETTE' to get 30% off your first order at tsuno.com.auBuy an Etterati shirt here.Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.If you want to see our mugs as we yap you can watch the episode in full here.Thanks to @jaidanielpyne for composing the music for our podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coverage of Herzog visit and protests, radio’s Bad Bunny racism + Karl Stefanovic hosts One Nation TWICE!

Feb 10th, 2026 6:00 PM

In this episode, we dissect the media’s coverage of Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia. We look at how two networks asked very different questions, analyse the warm, sympathetic coverage in the lead up and keep an eye on the outlets that dutifully repeated government lines even as footage showed police violence in plain sight.We also look at what was missing from most of the coverage. Hint: it was any mention of the genocide. Also, Australian commercial radio outs itself yet again as tacitly racist after Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance.And Today host Karl Stefanovic launches a podcast that winks hard at a far right audience.Plus a shout out to The Point, an independent think tank’s new publishing arm, stacked with good writers.Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.If you want to see our mugs as we yap you can watch the episode in full here.Thanks to @jaidanielpyne for composing the music for our podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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