Straight Talk with Mark Bouris #155 Joe Aston Unfiltered: The Chairman’s Lounge, Qantas Selling Australia Out, & The Journey to Sobriety
Nov 6, 2024
Joe Aston, a prominent Australian journalist and author of 'The Chairman's Lounge,' delves deep into Qantas' controversial corporate practices. He shares his insights on the airline's relationship with government, highlighting issues of accountability and the impact of corporate greed. Aston also opens up about his personal journey to sobriety, revealing how the pressures of journalism fueled his struggles. With a focus on the importance of satire in journalism and the often murky waters of corporate ethics, this conversation is both enlightening and engaging.
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Qantas' Longstanding Political Influence
- Qantas has influenced Australian politicians across parties for 40 years, shaping policy to its advantage.
- It secured $2.7 billion in subsidies during COVID while opposing support for Virgin Australia, fueling an effective monopoly.
Rear Window's Unique Journalism Style
- Rear Window was a unique journalistic style mixing gossip, satire, commentary, and investigative news.
- Behind the humor was serious evidence highlighting corporate misdeeds that could not be ignored.
Building Trust with Sources
- Build trust by protecting sources and proving reliability over time.
- Always evaluate sources' motivations to understand potential biases in journalistic information.
