Spin Cycle

Jess and Rachel are joined by Ben Smee, Guardian Australia reporter, delving into the new series Broken Trust. The two-year investigation looks into the handling of domestic violence cases in Queensland, and the alleged failures of the police force and courts. They also talk updates on Victorian politics, in particular, Jess Wilson’s supposed care for housing affordability. If this episode has raised any concerns for you, or someone you know, you can seek help via the below numbers: Lifeline - 131 114 National Domestic Violence and Family Counselling service - 1800 737 732

Charlie, Rachel and special guest host Esther Linder discuss the news of the week, from the Victorian government’s punitive youth crime plans to the announcement that young Kennedy scion Jack Schlossberg is running for office…. despite having never held down a job. They are then joined by award-winning journalist and RMIT professor Alexandra Wake to discuss the resignation of two senior BBC figures over allegations of biased coverage, and what it means for public broadcasters and public confidence in public broadcasters more broadly.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist Chris Hedges joins Jess, Charlie and Rachel to discuss Israel’s occupation of Gaza and his cancelled address, 'The Betrayal of Palestinian Journalists.' Chris speaks about his seven years of reporting from the Middle East – much of it in Gaza – including being on the receiving end of Israeli firepower. Jess and Charlie also discuss Sussan Ley’s embarrassing attack on Anthony Albanese’s Joy Division t-shirt, and the politics of punk.

Jess, Charlie and Rachel invite freelance journalist and author of Slick, Royce Kurmelovs, to share some insights following the government’s announcement of its lacklustre 2035 emissions reduction target (or should we say range). The trio also discuss the moment the new Sky After Dark show, Freya Fires up, self-combusted after allowing UK Islamophobe for hire, Ryan Willams, to rant live to air while wearing bacon rashers on his shirt.

Poet and co-editor of Overland Evelyn Araluen joins Jess, Charlie and Rachel to discuss the sudden closure of Meanjin, after Melbourne University Publishing decided that the 85 year old literary journal was no longer financially viable. They discuss the lack of communication over the closure, whether removing the archives paywall will lead to AI scraping of decades of Australian literary culture, and whether literary work should be expected to produce profit in the first place.

Rachel is back in the studio with Jess and Charlie, and they are joined by Esther Anatolitis. The four discuss the news stories of the week - including the productivity commission, the revelations about Iran’s involvement in anti-semitic attacks in Australia, Linda Reynolds’ defamation win against Brittany Higgins, and the media response to the police killings in Porepunkah. They also interview Nick Pickard from APRA AMCOS to discuss the real threat posed to Australian writers and creators if AI companies are given free reign to steal their work.

Jess and Charlie begin the show discussing the media’s failure to report Israel’s targeted attacks on journalists accurately. They talk to freelance photojournalists Alex Zucco and Jay Kogler about their experience photographing a neo-Nazi gathering in Bacchus Marsh, how they responded when they came under attack, and what it’s like working as an independent photojournalist in Australia. Charlie and Jess also remember the life and work of film critic, David Stratton.

In this week' Spin Cycle, Charlie and Jess discuss mushroom robots, and the media’s shift in reporting on Gaza. In particular they focus on the use of the image of toddler Muhammad al-Matouq and the heartless debate around its context. The team then share Jess's interview with Palestinian journalist, Plestia Alaqad, about the reality of reporting on the ground in Gaza, and her book, The Eyes of Gaza: a diary of resilience.The Spin Cycle team’s reference to Israel committing genocide in Gaza is based on findings from both genocide scholars and human rights organisations, including the below:Genocide scholars unanimous Israel is committing genocideUnited NationsAmnesty InternationalMedecins Sans FrontieresIsraeli humanitarian orgs accuse Israel of genocide

Donnie joins Jess to discuss a new record-breaking Roblox game 'Grow a Garden', and the Moo Deng celebration in Thailand raising awareness for the conservation of pigmy hippos.They are then joined by Nick Feik to talk on the history of Jillian Segal, in light of her new plan to combat anti semitism in Australia. They discuss what the plan is about and how the media has contributed to the conflation of anti-semitism with genuine criticisms of Israel.

Investigative reporter for The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald, Eryk Bagshaw, joins the Spin Cycle team to review his recent exposure of hospitality giant Merivale’s exploitation of migrant workers. Together they discuss the background of the story, and how the series of articles came together with the work of multiple journalists.

Investigative journalist and documentary photographer, Ben Camacho, joins Charlie and guest host Natalie Feliks on this week’s episode of Spin Cycle. Together they discuss the violent treatment of journalists in the LA protests of ICE, and in particular, whether or not it is intentional. They ask what the consequences of silencing the media are, and what the end of programs like Q+A and The Project mean about how Australia’s media consumption is shifting.

Antoun Issa joins Jess and Charlie to discuss the launch of he and cofounder Alex McKinnon’s online news platform Deepcut. They talk about slow cultural change, media as historical recording, and funding for new media.Jess and Charlie also talk about the week in news, in particular the inquest into the Bondi Junction stabbings and the media’s role in the families’ trauma.

In this week's Spin Cycle, Jess and Rachel discuss the media's coverage of Susan Ley's appointment to head of the LNP - is it genuine analysis or does it involve internalised misogyny?They are also joined by Josh Bornstein, in a conversation about where lines are drawn where employees hold different political views to their employers.