Lamestream

Lamestream's first subscriber drive is on now! Help us reach our target of 500 new subscribers by heading to our website and subscribing to support the show..New subscribers have the chance to win one of 12 Lamestream merch prize packs. Lamestream subscriptions cost $9.90 a month and give you access to our weekly newsletter with exclusive analysis and recommendations, all our articles, access to our Discord community, and early access to our live events. Plus, your help makes sure we can keep producing the show!Today on the show, Os and Scott step-through why the US-Iran negotiations in Pakistan over the weekend broke down, what the US is actually trying to achieve, and what happens now the talks have failed. They also break down the latest in Lebanon, and why the Australian government has such mixed-messaging on the war suggests.Later, they unpack the bizarre Melania Trump speech that has revived media and public interest in Jeffrey Epstein and theorise why she decided to talk about the sex trafficker.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're launching Lamestream's first subscriber drive to celebrate our birthday! Help us reach our target of 500 new subscribers by heading to our website and subscribing now.New subscribers have the chance to win one of 12 Lamestream merch prize packs and one lucky subscriber will have the chance to join us on a video call to talk about the show, our work and anything else!Lamestream subscriptions cost $9.90 a month and give you access to our weekly newsletter with exclusive analysis and recommendations, all our articles, access to our Discord community, and early access to our live events. Plus, your help makes sure we can keep producing the show!Is this episode, Os and Scott look the long road to Ben Roberts-Smith arrest for war crimes, including the role played by investigative journalism. They discuss how sections of the media built up a cult of personality around Roberts-Smith, and how his arrest has already sparked a culture war with right-wing figures like Gina Rinehart and Pauline Hanson coming out to support him.Next, they discuss the ceasefire between the US and Iran and what it reveals about who folded. They talk about how long it might last, and why the media coverage of this war still feels so disconnected from the reality on the ground.In Keeping Tabs, they look at whether Lamestream's prediction of Karl Stefanovic's future is about to come true, and why the ABC's Managing Director Hugh Marks seems so eager to give The Australian everything they want, from questions about the ABC hiring Kyle Sandilands to the broadcaster's backdown on diversity.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Os and Scott discuss the revelations that the US government has ordered its embassies all over the world, including in Australia, to influence news outlets and social media and oppose "anti-American propaganda". They talk about why Australia's journalists remain almost exclusively pro-US, despite Donald Trump's erratic, violent and corrupt presidency, and how that homogeneity is stifling our national conversation.Later in the show, they break down the Albanese government's proposed reforms around gambling advertising and why they are so much weaker than what advocates have been asking for. They unpack efforts by big media companies to lobby against a gambling ad ban, and explain how the proposed new laws could make things worse.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Os and Scott react to the Prime Minister's address to the nation and look at what Anthony Albanese actually said that warranted the most dramatic intervention into TV networks since the Covid pandemic in 2020.Also in today's episode, they unpack the overwhelmingly negative responses to the government's fuel excise tax cut and discuss why the PM seems so reluctant to take more serious action, even as countries around the world are announcing more significant stimulus measures.Plus, a discussion about the reaction to the killing of Dezi Freeman and why some public figures felt comfortable celebrating his death at the hands of police, even as details about the stand-off and shooting remain murky.And later in the show, they examine the National Press Club's decision to platform Israel's ambassador and how that exposes the organisation's hypocrisy. In Keeping Tabs, Scott spots an interview the ABC conducted with one of the figures featured in the Epstein files thousands of times. Was he asked about his relationship to Jeffrey Epstein? You'll never believe the answer.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTubeArticles mentioned in this episode:Eight snipers and a fatal choice: The high-stakes tactic that cornered FreemanNational Press Club statement on withdrawal of invitation to Russia's ambassadorKharg Island could be Iran's weak spot as Washington reportedly considers ground invasion optionsDN and Lamestream's latest reporting on Jeffrey Epstein Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Os and Scott look at whether the war on Iran is getting closer to an endgame, or if Donald Trump is actually going to launch an invasion. They discuss the different forces shaping Trump's approach, what Israel is doing to prevent an end to the war, and break down why the continual targeting of journalists by Israel is indicative of a new world order where international law has no meaning.Later, they unpack the growing economic and political crisis in Australi and why the Albanese government seems unable to deliver to take the steps necessary to protect ordinary people.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTubeArticles mentioned in this episode:Albanese’s caution is fuelling unease. This may be his COVID moment‘Needless secrecy’: Government resolves to be upfront over fuel crisis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Os and Scott examine why the Australian government is responding so slowly to the energy crisis, compared to other countries, even though they have acknowledge how dire things are going to get. They discuss the role political journalists play in holding the government to account, and how this particular government attempts to influence coverage.Next, they look at Israel's announcement it is formally occupying southern Lebanon and discuss why there doesn't seem to any kind of outcry or backlash to the news in Australia, in the media or from the public.Later in the show, they Os and Scott discuss the fortunes of the Greens and share emails from listeners who think the party has become too timid. They discuss the party's trajectory since the election, why insurgent left-wing movements are thriving overseas but not in Australia, what could change, and the role the media plays in setting the terms of the political conversation.Finally, they break down the ABC's first strike in 20 years, talking about what led to it, how it played out on the day and what it reveals about how badly the broadcaster is currently being run.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTubeArticles mentioned in this episode:The Guardian: Israel says it will seize parts of southern Lebanon as ‘defensive buffer’SMH: ‘Security zone’: Israeli military plans to occupy swath of southern LebanonAFR: Albanese urges US to end war as petrol fears growThe Guardian: Without some serious soul searching, the Greens will never move beyond the 10% plateau Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Os and Scott break down the significance of One Nation's record-high result at the South Australian election over the weekend and what it means for Australian politics and how it's covered. They step through what results reveal about the fracturing of the political system, how they show that One Nation is now the second most popular party in the country, and review the media's coverage of the election and One Nation.Then they provide an update on the latest in the wars on Lebanon and Iran, and look at the significance of the Australian government warning about an impending economic shock heading our way that could be as bad as the global financial crisis or the pandemic. They discuss why the government still isn't being asked the right questions about Australia's involvement in the war, or about what they doing to protect people from the financial turbulence heading our way.Finally, they look at the coverage of Anthony Albanese's visit to a mosque last week, that ended with him being heckled and escorted out.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Os and Scott look at how Trump and Israel's war on Iran is spiralling out of control and threatening to derail what's left of the global order on trade and diplomacy. Then they dig into Israel's invasion and occupation of Lebanon and look at why the Australian media is so reluctant to call it an invasion.Later in the show, they look at the confected media controversies around the Sydney Biennale and the allegations the AFL and Sydney Swans are anti-Semitic and should be investigated by the Bondi Royal Commission.Plus, a belated farewell to David Littleproud, a discussion over whether these leadership changes will have any impact on the Coalition's vote, and The Saturday Paper loses a star reporter.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Os and Scott look at some of the key narratives that are missing or being downplayed in the media's coverage of the war on Iran, including Israel's invasion of Lebanon and the US' targeting of a school in Iran, which led to one of the worst atrocities in a modern war Australia is involved in.Then they look at the surprise resignation of former ASIO boss Dennis Richardson from the Bondi Royal Commission, what led to it and what it means for the future of the inquiry.Plus, Lamestream has an official Discord! On Monday, from 11:00am, Os and Scott will be live-blogging the Oscars ceremony for Lamestream subscribers on Discord.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the war on Iran spirals into a global catastrophe, Os and Scott look at Anthony Albanese's decision to commit Australia's military to the conflict. They discuss how Albanese has become Trump and Israel's most reliable ally, what our military commitment really means and why Australia's political journalists still seem so uninterested in asking serious questions.They also examine the coverage of Iran's women soccer team and the players who sought asylum in Australia, as well as the new laws being rushed through parliament to prevent any further Iranians from seeking refuge in Australia.Then, they review the ABC's new 'National Forum', the successor to Q+A. They talk about how the show failed to engage the audience by playing it safe with predictable guests, and didn't present a diversity of views.In Keeping Tabs, Scott looks at the rumours that Karl Stefanovic could be set to replace Kyle Sandilands on commercial radio, and Os breaks down why Australian critics are so confused about the Oscar-nominated film 'The Voice of Hind Rajab'.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Os and Scott begin the show with a very special 'clarification' and discuss how the Sydney Morning Herald hit the jackpot with a group of private school students stuck in Dubai.Then, they talk about the latest shocking news from the Iran war, before a deep dive into the story of three Australians who were aboard a submarine that sunk and Iranian warship.After that, they look back on one of the wildest pieces of journalism every published, the three-part front page series that told us that by now Australia would likely be at war with China. It's a very special conversation about 'Red Alert'.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Os and Scott open with a discussion about the break-up of the biggest and most expensive media partnership in Australia: Kyle and Jackie O. They look what the end of the $200 million deal could mean, and why staff at the radio network that paid them are celebrating.Next, they break down the latest in the war on Iran and how it has become apparent that Trump was manipulated into bombing Iran by Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu and what could mean for the end game. They also discuss how the Albanese government has doubled-down on its support for the war, even as more and more European nations declare it illegal. Finally, they investigate why the Australian media seems more shamelessly pro war than compared to the US media.In Keeping Tabs, they unpack the the takeover of Warner Bros. by the right-wing, pro-Trump, pro-Israel Ellison family. They look at what it means both for the news media, with CNN likely to face huge cuts, and the entertainment media, with HBO and the Warner Bros. film studio falling under the Ellison's control.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, Os and Scott discuss the hugely significant and likely catastrophic consequences of Trump and Israel's war on Iran.They discuss the background to this weekend's bombing campaign, why Trump has decided to pursue regime change, the consequences of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's assassination, and how Iran has retaliated. They also explore the global reaction, including Australia's explicit support of Trump's war, and how the story is being covered by the media.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Os and Scott watched Karl Stefanovic's hour-long interview with Anthony Albanese so you didn't have to. They break down why the interview was embarrassing for everyone involved, how Stefanovic has cultivated a hard-right audience, and why that's now blowing up in his face.Next, they look at the disruptive impact Pauline Hanson and One Nation are already having on our political system, including influencing the federal government on immigration policy and their approach to Australian women and children trapped in Syria. They examine whether the media coverage of One Nation has improved, and discuss what journalists, and political parties, could do differently.Later in the show, Scott breaks down some the harmful Epstein conspiracy theories finding traction on social media and why they are resonating when the actual truth is scandalous enough.In Keeping Tabs, Os and Scott look at why the ABC suddenly pulled an episode of Australian Story, which it had been hyping up for days, and share some of their favourite stories from Australian media outlets over the past week.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scott and Os start the show by talking about why Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest is so significant and what it tells us about the Epstein story. They break down exactly what he is being investigated for, how the story has been covered, and how the Epstein files continue to reveal more and more about corrupt, shadowy networks that influence global politics and finance.Later in the show, they step through Trump's dangerous new foreign policy escalations including the launch of his Gaza "board for peace" and the ongoing threats around Iran, as well as discussing how the interview between Tucker Carlson and Mike Huckabee exposes how the political right in the US are split on the question of support for Israel.Finally, they end with a discussion on Sky News Australia's rebrand, and whether it will help or hurt the Murdoch-owned TV network.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Os and Scott unpack how Pauline Hanson has been able to dominate the news and political conversation for the past week, all by going on Sky News and denigrating Muslims.They discuss why the media gives Hanson more oxygen and attention than any other political figure and why they refuse to interrogate her views when given the chance, and Scott looks at how reporting on Hanson during the 1990s and 2000s was much stronger than it is now. Later in the show, they examine Labor's attempts to try and take back control of the political news cycle.In Keeping Tabs, Os asks whether anyone knows who is editing The Sydney Morning Herald, Scott dives into Australia's obsession with Pod Save America, and a look at censorship at CBS, from Stephen Colbert to 60 Minutes.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Os and Scott begin by looking at the impact of reporting on the Epstein files, including the fact that criminal charges have been brought against multiple figures Lamestream exclusively revealed were tied to Epstein in November last year.Then they look at the Liberal party's leadership spill and how it was covered, including the build-up to the party room vote, what prompted Sussan Ley's political demise, how Angus Taylor will be different, and what the consequences could be on Australian politics more broadly.Later, they discuss the fallout and legacy of Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia and how the government and media subtly changed their tune after protests revealed the depth of anger in the community to the visit. Finally, they unpack the significance of ABC staff voting to strike over pay and conditions.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Os and Scott unpack the violent police crackdown on protesters opposing the Israeli President's visit to Sydney on Monday. They discuss the confronting footage of police tackling Muslim men as they prayed and evidence police punched a number of protestors as they were restrained, before zooming out to look at how the political and media atmosphere over the past two years led the country to this horrific moment.Then they discuss the global fallout from the latest revelations in the Epstein files, and why the media coverage in Australia seems so far behind the rest of the world. They step through how the files reveal an international network of patronage, money and favours involving some of the most powerful figures in global politics and examine the allegations that Epstein was an intelligence asset.In Keeping Tabs, Scott and Os review the ABC's Four Corners episode this week examining intelligence failures in the lead-up to the Bondi attack, and Scott shares a good news story about the media industry.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Os and Scott start by discussing the reunification of the Coalition and how seriously we should take it. Then they discuss their latest exclusive reporting on Jeffrey Epstein and his interest in international affairs and diplomacy.Next, they discuss how Australia's media has given Israel's President Isaac Herzog the red carpet treatment and accused those protesting his Australia trip of supporting the Bondi terrorists. They also discuss the NSW Government's attack on writer Randa Abdel-Fattah and her involvement at the Newcastle Writers Festival.Later in the show, Scott breaks down how a controversial ABC edict could put the organisation's journalists and their sources at risk, and severely limit the broadcaster's ability to report on key issues.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Os and Scott open the show by discussing their exclusive story on Kevin Rudd and Jeffrey Epstein published this week.Then, they turn to the decision by NSW Police to ban protests during the visit of Israel's President, and how predictions that new laws rushed through parliament would be used to protect Israel have been proven right.Next, they discuss The Daily Aus' curious strategy on social media comments that seems to prohibit discussion on Gaza, but not much else, and how questions from Lamestream led to a shift.Later in the show, they have a big conversation about polling: why it's influencing the political conversation so much, how it works and how accurate it really is. Finally, in Keeping Tabs, they look at Nine's decision to sell its radio division and buy a billboard company, and the ABC's exposes on Tyra Banks' "hot ice cream" venture.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Os and Scott dive into the growing political and community backlash to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's decision to invite Israel's President Isaac Herzog to Australia. They discuss the background to the trip, how Herzog being cited in the genocide case at the International Court of Justice, how it makes Australia's commitment to human rights look pretty weak, and how momentum against the visit is growing.Then, Scott steps through the Israeli government's recent admission that the Gazan health ministry figures of at least 70,000 Palestinians being killed by the IDF are accurate, and what the consequences of that should be in newsrooms that treated the figures with scepticism.Later in the show, Os and Scott look at the US' descent into authoritarianism and how Trump appears to be using the threat of war with Iran to distract from the growing protest movement against his government. Plus, a check-in on where the Liberal leadership fiasco is at.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Os and Scott talk about the muted media and political response to open displays of white nationalism and anti-Semitism at this week's March for Australia rallies, held in opposition to Invasion Day protests. They also look at why an attempted bombing of the Perth Invasion Day protest hasn't been declared a terrorist incident, even though officials have described it as a potential mass casualty event.Later in the show, they unpack Karl Stefanovic's foray into podcasting and what his decision to launch his new show with a softball Pauline Hanson reveals about the media landscape's infatuation with One Nation.And in Keeping Tabs, Scott breaks down at the social media accounts spreading celebrity conspiracies in the aftermath of the Blake Lively text messages being published, and Os looks at the ABC's confusing TV strategy and the new show that they've announced that sounds an awful lot like Q&A, which was recently axed.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Os and Scott kick off the episode with a brief chat about Triple J's Hottest 100 and what role the poll plays in Australian culture in 2026.Then, they break down the Coalition split and look at why most media outlets are painting the Nationals as villains for refusing to back the government's extremely controversial hate speech laws. They also discuss how the media is covering One Nation's surge in the polls and why so much of the coverage is uncritical.Later in the show, they talk about Donald Trump's increasing isolation on the world stage with Canada's PM Mark Carney joining the chorus of global leaders criticising the US president, and look at how Australia is now one of the few western countries that is stubbornly remaining loyal to Trump.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Os and Scott break down Parliament's rushed, late-night session this week that saw the passage of new laws cracking down on free speech and the potential criminalisation of anyone who critiques Israel. They discuss what is actually in the new laws and how the media encouraged the Liberals to back the legislation while giving them a free pass on abandoning their commitment to gun control.Later in the show, Scott unpacks the US' increasingly rapid descent into authoritarianism, including Trump's plan to acquire Greenland and his new "Board of Peace", which is set to govern Gaza.Plus, a conversation about the feud between Brooklyn Beckham and his parents, Bondi hero Ahmed Al Ahmed's globetrotting adventures this summer, a look at how Nine's partnership with the Australian Open is impacting The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, and a look at the media's obsession with the Lachie Neale saga.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Os and Scott are back with the first episode of 2026. They begin by sharing what they got up too over summer and the plans to make Lamestream bigger and better this year.In this episode, they discuss the political and media response following the Bondi terror attack and the battle over a Royal Commission, and how the the partisan campaigning for an inquiry into anti-Semitism exposed the hypocrisy of a number of senior media executives, editors and outlets.Then, they unpack the government's extremely controversial plans to criminalise hate speech, why they are being pushed for by the pro-Israel lobby and why they are opposed across the political spectrum.Later in the show, Scott looks at the protest movement in Iran and how Western media coverage does a disservice to the protestors and to the country more broadly. Os and Scott discuss how media coverage of Iran is largely filtered through the lens of US foreign policy interests and ignores the country's complexity and the various elements of the protest movement.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this summer episode, Os and Scott answer questions from listeners.They discuss what it's like reporting on an industry where they know a lot of the key players, the future of the media landscape and debate some big topics, like which is the best NRL team, who Rory Gilmore should have ended up with and much more.Regular episodes of Lamestream will return Monday, January 19.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special summer episode of the podcast, Os and Scott interview each other about their careers in journalism.They talk about their relationship to the industry, what drew them to it and and their time working together at the ABC.Scott breaks down his adventures in the Middle East while Os talks about his foray in politics, and they both discuss their time working as reporters during the boom in digital journalism.Support Lamestream by visiting our website to sign up and become a subscriber.Follow us on social media:InstagramTikTokYouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Os and Scott are joined by their friend, movie critic and comedian Alexei Toliopoulos from The Last Video Store podcast, to discuss the best journalism movies of all-time.First, they discuss the state of cinema in 2025 and the best films of the year. Then, they dive into what it is about journalism that makes it such a good setting for so many great films.After that, Alexei, Scott and Os take turns sharing their favourite movies about journalism. From the famous and Oscar-winning to some hidden gems, there's enough to give anyone some titles to watch over summer.Finally, they go deep on the greatest journalism film of all-time: All the President's Men (1976)Films discussed this episode:Collective (2019)City of Gold (2015)Good Night, and Good Luck (2005)Ace in the Hole (1951)The Ambassador (2011)Everything is Copy (2015)Spotlight (2015)Zodiac (2007) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.