We Used to be Journos
Ette Media
We used to be journalists, but now we mostly just bitch about them. (Kidding. Kind of.) We also break down broken news.This weekly podcast brings you honest and original media analysis from two insiders who’ve broken plenty of news and been broken by it, too. Hosted by long-suffering journalists and even longer-suffering friends, Jan Fran and Antoinette Lattouf, We Used to Be Journos is your guide to the way the media works. Join us every Wednesday as we unpack the headlines you see, and the power you don’t. We’ll take you through the week’s sketchy editorial decisions, suspect sources and thinly veiled bigotry. We’ll show you how the media sausage is made —so you know what you’re being fed. Armed with a low tolerance for spin, zero patience for BS, and just enough humour (and delusion) to keep working in the media, We Used to Be Journos serves up hot, sharp, unapologetic media tea.Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.If you want to see our mugs as we yap you can watch the episode in full here. Thanks to @jaidanielpyne for composing the music for our podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 27, 2026 • 60min
Hate speech laws red flags, Australia Day poll tricks, Grok deepfakes + Beckham feud
In this episode, we look at the many red flags surrounding Labor’s new hate speech laws as well as the mainstream media’s strikingly uniform response to them. Jan provides an update on the sale of TikTok. Americans can stop worrying about China controlling their data and algorithms because a small group of pro-Trump billionaires has that covered now. Antoinette breaks down Australia Day polls and offers a toolkit for spotting agendas in the opaque polling world.There’s also a shout out to the women taking on pornographic deepfakes made by X’s Grok, plus an illuminating piece on the Beckham family feud, which Jan has a strange and (and unverified) theory about FINAL tickets to our live show can be bought here .Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.If you want to see our mugs as we yap you can watch the episode in full here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 20, 2026 • 56min
Narrative war over Iran's protests + Trump’s press sec blows up at journalist, InDaily SA muscles in on Murdoch
The podcast dives into Iran's protests, highlighting the struggle for narrative amidst internet blackouts and oppressive state media. It discusses various competing narratives, including the role of exiled figures and foreign interference. There's also a poignant moment as Trump's press secretary deflects a tough question, showcasing the ongoing battle journalists face. The hosts celebrate InDaily SA's efforts to challenge mainstream narratives, emphasizing the importance of responsible local reporting to hold power accountable.
Jan 13, 2026 • 36min
Randa Abdel-Fattah on the collapse of the Adelaide Writers’ Festival
In this episode, Jan Fran speaks with the woman at the centre of the collapse of the Adelaide Writers Festival, Palestinian author and academic Randa Abdel-Fattah. The conversation is blunt and urgent. They talk about censorship, lobby pressure on cultural institutions, what it means to keep speaking as a Palestinian Australian as media outlets launder bad faith attacks, and the focus drifts anywhere but Gaza. TICKETS TO OUR LIVE SHOW CAN BE BOUGHT HERE. SUPPORT ETTE MEDIA BY BECOMING A SUBSCRIBER HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 6, 2026 • 34min
Ask Us Anything: Our younger selves, future of media, Eurovision pressure, truth v hope
In a lively summer Q&A, the hosts share childhood dinosaur favorites and personal anecdotes. They reflect on their journeys to becoming truth-seekers and discuss media's role in unity amidst division. Insights on media literacy for young people and the uncertain future of mainstream outlets provide thought-provoking commentary. The pressure surrounding Eurovision and the balance of personal activism versus institutional change is explored. They also offer practical tips for dealing with despair and maintaining hope through community and action.
Dec 30, 2025 • 35min
Ask Us Anything: On cracks in our friendship, building community and finding joy in dark times
Part one of our summer special is your Q&A therapy session disguised as a podcast. We answer all your burning questions. We talk about twenty years of friendship, juggling being fledgling media moguls with sanity, staying clear-eyed in the chaos and navigating holiday conversations with problematic fam. Tickets to our live shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane can be bought here.Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.Follow The Antony Lowenstein Podcast here. If you want to see our mugs as we yap you can watch the episode in full here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 23, 2025 • 55min
Antony Loewenstein unpacks the Bondi terror attack
Antony Loewenstein, an award-winning journalist and author focused on Israel/Palestine, joins Jan Fran to discuss the Bondi terror attacks. He shares his emotional response and the importance of balancing grief with a critique of political narratives. Antony critiques Israeli leaders for their rapid politicization of events and explains how rising antisemitism connects to mainstream Jewish leadership's actions. He urges against silencing dissenting voices and emphasizes the need for ongoing dialogue and solidarity to combat oppression.
Dec 16, 2025 • 55min
How the Bondi terror attack was reported
Jan and Antoinette dive deep into the chaotic first 24 hours following the Bondi terror attack. They explore the emotional impacts of distressing footage shared on social media and the rapid spread of misinformation. The hosts critique the media's response, highlighting the dangers of politicizing breaking news and how certain narratives took hold. They also address the importance of ethical reporting, the heroism of individuals during the crisis, and the urgent conversation surrounding gun laws. A thoughtful look at media responsibility in times of tragedy!
Dec 9, 2025 • 1h 6min
Press piles on Abbie Chatfield, SBS’s Eurovision dud decision + why we can’t name a rapist
As the social media ban kicks off, Jan and Antoinette find themselves disagreeing on its merits. Plus, we take a look at the rage-bait tabloid media machine currently targeting influencer Abbie Chatfield and the hypocrisy powering it all. And as boycott calls grow over Israel’s participation in Eurovision, SBS doubles down on a dud decision. We salute journalists who stay cool while being smacked by studio gear and airborne wildlife, and a poem in an unexpected place leaves us feeling unexpectedly seen.Brisbane live show guest announcements: TV presenter Myf Warhurst and comedian Anisa Nanduala will be joining us! Get tickets to our stage tour.Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.If you want to see our mugs as we yap you can watch the episode in full here.Thanks to @jaidanielpyne for composing the music for our podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 2, 2025 • 60min
TikTok’s racism row, Trump’s new press hit list + Gaza media petition anniversary
In this episode Jan and Antoinette delve into accusations of racism at the TikTok awards and speak to some big content creators who say this isn’t the first time they’ve felt shunned by the industry. Also, Trump adds media outlets who dare critically report on potentially unlawful strikes in Venezuela to an official White House naughty list. Plus we mark the two year anniversary of an open letter, signed by 300+ Australian journalists, that called for fairer Gaza–Israel coverage. Has anything changed since then? (spoiler: bring a pillow to scream into).A nod goes to Zee Feed, the small newsletter doing some heavy lifting and a confused raised eyebrow goes to The Monthly for comparing outlaws. Catch us, Claudia Karvan and L-Fresh The Lion at our Sydney live show! Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra can be purchased here.Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.If you want to see our mugs as we yap you can watch the episode in full here.Thanks to @jaidanielpyne for composing the music for our podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 25, 2025 • 52min
Nuzzi Lizza sex-scandal explained, Tele’s ‘Undercover Jew’ sting escalates + Mariah caught in X’s location mess
In this episode Jan and Antoinette dig into a family violence story that manages to break (almost) every reporting guideline.Antoinette explains the latest escalation in the Daily Telegraph’s ‘undercover Jew’ mess at Cairo Takeaway restaurant, while Jan canvasses the good, the bad and the weird views of the Sydney Morning Herald. Plus, the journalist sex-scandal featuring Robert F Kennedy that Jan (shamefully) can’t get enough of and Mariah Carey caught up in X’s MAGA location reveal. Grab your tickets to our live shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra.Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.If you want to see our mugs as we yap you can watch the episode in full here.If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, you should report it to the police.Support and counselling is available from the following agencies:DVConnect Womensline: 1800 811 811DVConnect Mensline: 1800 600 6361800 RESPECT: 1800 737 73213YARN: 13 92 76 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
