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Following an inquiry into digital platforms, the government finds itself wedged between News Corp and the tech giants. Both sides are lobbying heavily. Rick Morton on the battle to regulate the internet — or not.Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Background reading: Australia and digital data in The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Description: Following his wrongful conviction for the murder of Canberra’s top police officer, David Eastman sought compensation. But there are bigger questions in this case, about how the legal system responds to mental health. Sam Vincent on how a troubled man tried, unsuccessfully, to represent himself.Guest: Writer and journalist Sam Vincent.Background reading:The retrial of David Eastman in The MonthlyCap in hand in The MonthlyFor more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Canberra in the 1970s and ’80s, David Eastman was thought of as a serial pest. That was until he was convicted of murdering the assistant commissioner of the Australian Federal Police. The problem was, he didn’t do it. Sam Vincent on a case that sent the wrong man to prison for 19 years. This is part one of a two-part episode.Guest: Writer and journalist Sam Vincent.Background reading:The retrial of David Eastman in The MonthlyCap in hand in The MonthlyThe Saturday PaperThe MonthlyFor more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the parliamentary year ends, and politicians go home for summer, Scott Morrison is celebrating the repeal of medevac. The key vote came from Jacqui Lambie, who says she has a deal with the government. She won’t say what it is, and the government says it never happened. Paul Bongiorno on the end of another year in politics.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.Background reading:Hydrogen strategy backs dirty coal in The Saturday PaperThe Saturday PaperThe MonthlyFor more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hydrogen will be a major renewable energy source, and can be produced by splitting water atoms. But the government is ignoring this low-carbon option to ensure Australia’s hydrogen industry is controlled by fossil fuels. Mike Seccombe on how Angus Taylor and Matt Canavan are turning a green energy source brown.Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.Background reading:Hydrogen strategy backs dirty coal in The Saturday PaperThe Saturday PaperThe MonthlyFor more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the first two decades of the 21st century come to an end, Australia is going to be forced to confront its place as a middle power and embrace an electorate that is markedly different to the parliament. George Megalogenis on what’s likely to happen in the 2020s.Guest: Author and journalist George Megalogenis.Background reading:The middle of nowhere in The MonthlyThe Saturday PaperThe MonthlyFor more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Bolt has led a campaign against Bruce Pascoe and his book Dark Emu. But after reading the explorer journals on which the book is based, Rick Morton was unable to find any errors. This is the story of a culture war and a columnist who won’t say if he’s read the book he’s condemning.Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Background reading:Bolt, Pascoe and the culture war in The Saturday PaperThe Saturday PaperThe MonthlyFor more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the fallout from the Westpac scandal continues, attempts are already underway to limit corporate responsibility. Michael West on why the story broke and what happens next.Guest: Founder of michaelwest.com.au and contributor to The Saturday Paper Michael West.Background reading:The Saturday PaperThe MonthlyFor more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Morrison has put himself in a difficult position, calling the NSW police commissioner to check on an investigation into his own minister. Paul Bongiorno on the questions that need to be answered.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.Background reading:Taylor twist as Morrison phones a 'friend' in The Saturday PaperThe Saturday PaperThe MonthlyFor more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to author Jeff Sparrow, a new fascism is emerging from the internet – one that is rooted in meme culture, but that harnesses mass shootings as a political tool. This is the story of how the Christchurch massacre came to represent a new frontier in the far right.Guest: Author of Fascists Among Us, Jeff Sparrow.Background reading:Under fire from the new fascism in The Saturday PaperThe Saturday PaperThe MonthlySee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.