A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper. Hear from the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. T...
After a scathing ruling from a Nevada probate commissioner, Rupert Murdoch and his eldest son Lachlan’s attempt to amend a family trust may have backfired spectacularly, with the commissioner concluding the two acted in “bad faith”.
Rupert was attempting to give permanent control of his conservative media empire, comprising Fox and News Corp, to his designated successor Lachlan after Rupert dies.
The initial attempt to amend the trust was also kept secret from Lachlan’s three eldest siblings – Prudence, Elisabeth and James – the other beneficiaries with equal voting rights on the trust.
The ruling has deepened the divide within the family, and thrown the future of the Murdoch empire into question.
Today, director of the Centre for Advancing Journalism at the University of Melbourne, Andrew Dodd on the ruling, the fallout and the next chapter in the Murdoch succession saga.
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Guest: Director of the Centre for Advancing Journalism at the University of Melbourne, Andrew Dodd.
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19:59
The fall of Assad: What's next for Syria?
This week, on the streets of Damascus, there were signs of an army in retreat – tanks abandoned and Syrian army uniforms scattered on the roads where soldiers had torn them off.
It reflected the speed at which rebel forces had taken over Syria, with Bashar al-Assad’s brutal reign finally coming to an end after 13 years of civil war.
As celebrations spread across the nation, the Syrian people face the task of rebuilding a country now in the hands of rebel groups.
Today, Middle East correspondent for The Economist Gregg Carlstrom on Syria’s path forward and the implications for an increasingly unstable region.
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Guest: Middle East correspondent for The Economist Gregg Carlstrom.
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22:11
Sarah Hanson-Young on Murdoch’s gas ‘greenwashing’
Last week, News Corp tabloids ran front page stories in papers around the country, all saying a similar thing: Australia needs to “step on the gas” or face blackouts and soaring electricity prices.
But you had to turn the page to find out the coverage – labelled an “exclusive” special report – was sponsored by major gas companies.
Now, the Greens are planning to call Murdoch media executives before a Senate inquiry into greenwashing, saying the reporting was no more than propaganda masquerading as news.
Today, Greens spokesperson for communications and chair of the Senate inquiry into greenwashing Sarah Hanson-Young on Murdoch’s gas warfare and the power of the fossil fuel lobby.
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Guest: Greens Senator, Sarah Hanson-Young.
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20:50
Dogs, disinformation and deepfakes: Inside Dutton's meme machine
In 2019, Scott Morrison’s government managed to narrowly win a third term, despite polling placing them behind Labor for almost three years.
At the heart of the victory was a change in the way they campaigned, bringing in a pair of New Zealand election strategists armed with a new weapon: low-quality memes.
Since then, the duo known as Topham Guerin have brought their political tricks to bigger battlegrounds and have been hired by Peter Dutton ahead of the next federal election.
But their methods – including a recent embrace of deepfakes – raise questions about the ethics of political campaigning in the digital age.
Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis on the rise of Topham Guerin and the political power of bad memes.
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Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis.
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22:01
Kim Williams on the future of the ABC
ABC chair Kim Williams has been slammed for recent comments made about broadcasters like Joe Rogan, as the national broadcaster undergoes a wave of structural changes.
During his first Press Club address, Kim Williams took aim at the podcaster, saying commentators such as Rogan “prey on fear”.
Mr Williams was there to deliver a speech calling for greater investment in the ABC, which he said had lost $150 million a year over the past decade, and to talk about the importance of public broadcasting in an age of disinformation designed to sow division.
Williams’ tenure as ABC chair comes at a time of deep disruption for the broadcaster, with the departure of many beloved presenters sparking questions about the competency of management.
Today, ABC chair Kim Williams on what’s ahead for the broadcaster, and whether he’s in the right job.
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Guest: Chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Kim Williams.
A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper. Hear from the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.
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