
Fourth Estate
Every week, we discuss how the media has covered the news and analyse issues affecting the industry - with some of the biggest names in journalism in Australia and around the world. Broadcast live on Sydney's 2SER 107.3FM, with the financial assistance of the Community Broadcasting Foundation.
Latest episodes

Mar 30, 2023 • 37min
Australia and America BFF?
This week we take a wide-ranging look at the political trends in Australia and America and ask are the two countries growing apart and what role is the media playing in the potential differences we are now seeing emerge between the two countries. Monica Attard spoke with Damien Cave and Jennifer Hewitt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 23, 2023 • 28min
Margaret Simons on Tanya Plibersek
This week we speak with Margaret Simons about her new book Tanya Plibersek - On Her Own Terms. Plibersek has a 25-year-plus career in politics but she set out originally to be a journalist and her relationship with the media is also unusual in many ways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 16, 2023 • 35min
The China Syndrome
This week we look at the SMH and the Age's recent series on a possible coming war with China and ask was this series a timely look at a major coming threat or if was it alarmist as Paul Keating recently claimed. We also look at Aukus and discuss how this week's announcement will be viewed by China. Monica Attard spoke with ABC's Bill Birtles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 2, 2023 • 41min
Hawk Kyiv And Media's Fog Of War
This week we look at the Russian invasion of Ukraine as the war grinds into its second year. Monica Attard and Leonid Ragozin discuss the war and the changing narratives within some sections of the media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 16, 2023 • 39min
ChatGPT Took My Job
This week we discuss what AI like ChatGPT means for journalism and whether jobs are at risk. To discuss this we are joined by Dr. Sacha Molitorisz from UTS and Charlie Lewis of Crikey. The program was produced and presented by Anthony Dockrill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 15, 2022 • 33min
Reflecting on 2022 and Reporting On Australia's #MeToo
In this episode we reflect on the media reportage of harassment and violence against women and children in 2022. How has the national discussion and media reportage changed since 2021 and what lessons do we take into 2023? Marlene Even spoke with Amber Schultz, Associate Editor for Crikey and Jane Gilmore, author, journalist, and consent educator. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 8, 2022 • 36min
Journalism Across The Tasman- A New Zealand Special
What is the role of a journalist and what makes New Zealand journalism unique? In this episode, we compare Australian and New Zealand journalism and discuss the 'Worlds of Journalism Study 2.0. Journalists in Aotearoa/ New Zealand' report.Marlene Even spoke with the lead researcher of the report Associate Professor Dr James Hollings and Carmen Parahi, Pou Tiaki matua of Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 5, 2022 • 41min
Australian Media Still Has A Diversity Problem
This week we look at the latest report from Media Diversity Australia titled Who gets to tell Australian stories 2.0. We looked at the first report back in 2020 and since then the story has not changed very much at all. To help us unpack the latest report but also look at the road ahead we spoke with Dr Lee Martin and Sushi Das. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 24, 2022 • 31min
US Midterms and a Musk Owned Twitter
In the aftermath of the United States midterm election and in the whirlwind of a Musk owned Twitter, Monica Attard spoke with American journalist Ben Smith, Editor-in-Chief of Semafor- a global news organisation. The two esteemed journalists discuss the American media coverage of the midterm elections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 17, 2022 • 36min
The End of Twitter As We Know It
Journalists are watching on as Twitter transforms under new management. The social media platform recently switched hands from being a publicly listed company to one owned by a small group led by billionaire Elon Musk. We discuss how Twitter has shaped the industry and where do journalists go now in the wake of a Musk owned Twitter?Marlene Even spoke with Cam Wilson, associate editor of Crikey and Ariel Bogle, technology reporter with ABC Radio National. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices