Media Tarts

PLUS: Did Kyle Sandilands learn his lesson about sex talk vs smut? We'll soon find out via our guest Daily Mail Sex Expert Jana Hocking.Media Editor of Mediaweek Natasha Lee joins Wade Kingsley at the bar for a friday drink.WARNING: This episode discusses sexual themes. And cocktails.

About the Guest(s):Wade Kingsley: Wade Kingsley is a seasoned media professional with years of expertise in broadcasting and content creation. He is known for his insightful takes on the media landscape and an engaging podcast host.Natasha Lee: Natasha Lee is the Media Editor of Mediaweek, an experienced journalist and media commentator. With a strong track record in reporting and storytelling, Natasha brings depth and wit to discussions on current media trends and cultural shifts.Episode Summary:In this engaging episode, hosts Wade Kingsley and Natasha Lee return after a brief hiatus due to illness to dive into recent media and cultural discussions. They explore the impact of sickness on their schedules, hinting at the broader winter illness wave affecting many. The conversation quickly veers into the world of AI, triggered by discussions at the Australian Financial Review's AI Summit, which highlights concerns about AI's growing influence in media, especially around copyright issues. This discourse centres on whether AI's progression should be met with stricter regulations or if creators should adapt to the changing landscape.The episode takes a satirical turn as Natasha shares a story about a Sydney academic advocating against AI, only to be caught using it for her work, illustrating a significant AI-related controversy. The hosts also contemplate various developments in the media landscape, including potential shifts in radio personalities and unexpected political contenders with backgrounds in journalism, reality TV, and famous family ties. Their reflections underscore a transformative period in media and politics, influenced heavily by technology and changing social dynamics.Key Takeaways:The significance of AI in media and its potential to transform content creation, with a focus on the need for balanced copyright laws.A light-hearted segment on how even AI skeptics fall prey to its conveniences, as highlighted by a Sydney academic's gaffe.Speculations on changes in radio broadcasting involving Eddie McGuire and Karl Stefanovic, hinting at possible new roles in the ARN network.A discussion on a former journalist rumoured to become the next governor of South Australia and the potential for political shifts.Observations on reality TV stars entering politics, with references to international and local examples, showing the merging of entertainment and political spheres.Notable Quotes:"There is something really insidious doing the rounds at the moment… after Covid… maybe our immune systems aren't as great as they once were." - Natasha Lee"It's time for some sort of… campaign at the very least, between people with vested interests here." - Wade Kingsley"Make it work… AI is here right now… unless you're coming to the forefront with a solution, then shut up." - Natasha Lee"If AI is the smartest tech we've ever seen, surely they don't need special privileges that no other tech is needed." - Annabelle Herd (via Wade Kingsley's other podcast)"This is the world now… You don't have to be in the media to be critiqued, but you've chosen to be there." - Natasha Lee

About the Guest(s):Ricky Sutton is a prominent voice in the media landscape. Currently spearheading Future Media, a thought-leading platform on Substack, Ricky delivers in-depth analysis on the critical shifts in media, particularly around international tech platforms and their effects on local journalism.Episode Summary:In this episode Wade Kingsley and Natasha Lee delve into the intricacies of the media landscape with industry expert Ricky Sutton. As they sip their drinks, the conversation wanders through topics like the state of journalism amidst job cuts, the evolving digital media paradigm, and Ricky's insightful understanding of the News Media Bargaining Code (NMBC) and its latest iteration, the News Bargaining Incentive (NBI).Ricky Sutton breaks down the history, challenges, and future implications of the News Media Bargaining Code, highlighting its initial success and later shortcomings. This world-first legislation aimed to redistribute wealth from tech giants Google and Meta back to Australian media companies, initially fetching a substantial financial injection. However, Ricky explains how these deals began to unravel, with Meta retracting its support post-legislation. Featured prominently, this conversation underscores pressing topics such as media digitisation, job redundancies, and the political hesitancy to enforce stronger legislative measures. As Ricky notes, the "defunding" of journalism—an 80% financial erosion over 12 years—raises critical alarms and questions about the future of news media integrity and resilience, especially with looming five-year delays in publisher payouts under the new NBI framework.Key Takeaways:Media Job Losses: The dialogue reveals a significant reduction in available positions within media, especially journalism, due to digital evolution and the distribution of responsibilities to fewer employees.News Media Bargaining Code: Initially aimed at infusing revenue into Australian media by taxing entities like Google and Meta, highlighting its limited scope and unexpected outcomes.Advertising vs. Journalism: Meta's strategic focus on advertising through AI content generation, indicates a shift away from traditional news dissemination as a revenue source.News Bargaining Incentive: A new approach aimed at indirectly taxing tech companies and encouraging negotiations with local publishers, albeit with challenges in enforceability and effect.Future Outlook: Continued pressure on government policy refinement in balancing tech influence over local media sustainability.Notable Quotes from Ricky Sutton:"The media industry has been defunded 80 cents on the dollar in the past 12 years.""Meta is not a social media company; it's an advertising company.""The solve here is to know how much those companies are making in Australia and tax them on their real earnings.""If Meta doesn't want to deal with our news, the new tax approach is our shot across the bow, even if it's a Rubik's Cube-level complexity.""The Media Bargaining Incentive is an attempt to turn the tables, promising tax rebates for good behaviour."Resources:Future Media on Substack - Ricky Sutton's blog offering deep analyses into media issues.

About the Guest(s):Amanda Goff is a prominent columnist and author known for her fierce and direct writing style. She writes for the Daily Mail and has released three memoirs detailing her diverse experiences in the adult industry.Episode Summary:In this lively episode of Media Tarts, hosts Wade Kingsley and Natasha Lee, along with guest Amanda Goff, dive into the highly-discussed media coverage of Meghan Markle's recent visit to Australia. The trio explores the sharp criticism Meghan has faced and whether the coverage has crossed into a territory of unwarranted nastiness.Throughout the episode, the conversation progresses to dissect the societal fascination and disdain targeted at Meghan Markle, reflecting on whether her actions warrant the intensity of the media's scrutiny. In an engaging discussion, Wade, Natasha, and Amanda unpack layers of gender critique, public accountability, and media responsibilities, analysing whether female critics approach Meghan more harshly due to heightened perceptivity of her actions. Another focal point is the intricate dynamics of a polarised public where opinions shift and clash starkly, such as in Meghan's case.Key Takeaways:The media often reflects public sentiment, but it's crucial to differentiate between criticism and undue harshness, especially in media coverage of public figures like Meghan Markle.Criticism towards Meghan Markle stems not only from her public actions but also from the perception of disingenuousness and hypocrisy.Journalists must balance their responsibilities in reporting honestly while not fuelling unwarranted media pile-ons.Media coverage may at times lean towards a personal bias, especially when gender dynamics are involved, highlighting a differential treatment in media narratives.There's a strong public and media interest in Meghan Markle's life, often creating a polarising divide that mirrors larger societal viewpoints.Notable Quotes:Amanda Goff: "I cannot stand that woman for many reasons… If the audience doesn't like you, then, right, you're not going to make the money."Wade Kingsley: "I feel like the coverage has gone to a different level of nastiness."Natasha Lee: "The public is a lot more cluey than people give us credit for, and we can pick up when somebody is genuine and when they're not."Amanda Goff: "With journalists, we can't be too nasty because we leave that to the public."Resources:Amanda Goff's Instagram: @amandagoffofficial

About the Guest(s):Josh Szeps - Josh Szeps is an acclaimed broadcaster, columnist, and podcast host known for his critically engaging insights into media and culture. Widely recognised for his work on the "Uncomfortable Conversations" podcast, Josh brings a nuanced perspective to issues that divide public opinion. As a columnist for the Australian Financial Review, he contributes thought-provoking commentary on contemporary events. His background includes extensive media experience, with a distinct presence in both Australian radio and television, as well as international platforms, including work in the American media landscape.Episode Summary:In the first episode of Media Tarts, hosts Wade Kingsley and Natasha Lee dive into the lively world of media controversies and public figures, highlighting the intricate dance between media coverage and celebrity allure. Joining them is bon vivant and media aficionado, Josh Szeps, whose insights into the media spectacle surrounding celebrities anchor the discussion. The hosts unravel why media personalities like Kyle Sandilands attract such fascination and scrutiny, touching on their influence and the often sycophantic coverage they receive. This episode unpacks the broader dynamics of media and fame, exploring the culture of celebrity worship and the challenges within Australian journalism to tackle these figures with necessary depth.Exploring the parallels between Kyle Sandilands and global figures like Donald Trump, the conversation shifts to the responsibilities of journalism in providing critical perspectives. Szeps offers his unique take on how the current media landscape frequently shies away from hard questions, leading to missed opportunities for accountability. In a thought-provoking dialogue, they examine the broader implications for democracy when media fails to challenge powerful figures. Delving into the nuances of celebrity culture, the hosts and their guest ponder the ethical responsibilities journalists have in maintaining balance between reporting and probing. Whether it's dissecting Kyle's media clout or critiquing the cautious nature of Australian journalists, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the Pied Piper effect celebrities have on the news cycle.Key Takeaways:The Allure of Controversial Personalities: Media personalities like Kyle Sandilands and Donald Trump attract attention due to their unpredictable and captivating public persona.Lack of Accountability in Media Coverage: Discussion on how journalists sometimes fail to hold powerful personalities accountable, leading to superficial reportage.Media's Role in Democracy: The critical importance of asking skeptical questions to uphold journalistic integrity and provide public scrutiny.Notable Quotes:"Kyle is the least of our concerns… as Wade was saying, it's not dissimilar to Donald Trump at least." - Josh Szeps"I can't, he can't sit down, and I can't put that to him as a question… he's going to clam up and give me nothing." - Josh Szeps"We're all trapped in that prison to one degree or another… it's a prison of all of our makings." - Josh SzepsResources:Josh Zepps' Podcast: Uncomfortable ConversationsJosh Zepps' Column: Australian Financial ReviewMedia Tarts on Instagram: @mediatarts