Truth, Lies and Media

Within hours of Donald Trump becoming the first openly genocidal fascist US President .. Ice Queen Melania Trump holds a dramatic press conference calling for "the lies" to end and solemnly denying she was a victim of Jeffrey Epstein - claims virtually no-one was making until she swept up to address the press pack.    Was this a bizarre political media strategy aiming at distracting attention from the President threatening that "an entire civilisation will die tonight" or just the chaotic violent shitshow this administration rolls out each day?And Prince Harry and Megan arrive in Australia to an adoring public but to an occasionally sniggering media class. The frustrated Murdoch scribes, finding nothing negative to report, dream up a story about how much extra police resourcing might cost to provide security for the "millionaire visitors" and then encourage the new Liberal leader Jess Wilson to attack the phantom expenditure which exists only in their thought bubble.Why do these two well meaning ex Royals visiting a children's hospital and hosting a wellness retreat trigger such frothing rage at News Corp?  Denis Muller unpeels the layers of a classic beat up.  Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Australia's most decorated soldier Ben Roberts Smith is arrested over alleged war crimes and taken into custody .. the alleged crimes, which Roberts Smith denies ever happened, may never have come under scrutiny had it not been for the dogged work of investigative journalists Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters.Plus .. Trump's armageddon threats follow his expletive ridden demands that Iran open the f+king strait of Hormuz "you crazy bastards" - the sort of commentary you'd see graffitied on the back of a public toilet door.  Can we call him deranged yet?And facing extinction, the Victorian Liberal President blasts the party's disastrous habit of taking policy advice from hard right Murdoch mouthpieces Peta Credlin and Pauline Hanson.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newsrooms go into overdrive as Australia's most wanted man Dezi Freeman is shot dead .. but how do you report the death of a police killer without sounding like you are dancing on the grave of a dead man? Also this week - the disturbing trend of "journocide" as Israel murders three Lebanese reporters.And the dangers of an old media habit that "sanewashes" the rambling, incoherent pathologically lying Donald Trump. Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Denis Muller warns of the dangers around broadcasting a known liar and racist live to air as respected political journalists call on the media to challenge the hate of Pauline Hanson while One Nation surges in popularity.Major disruptions to hit news programs as ABC staff go on strike, frustrated over repeated below inflation pay rises and the insidious practice of forcing staff on to precarious month to month contracts.  Plus how do you report on an emerging crisis as hundreds of petrol stations across Australia run out of fuel? Actual facts need to make a comeback rigfht across the media spectrum .. but who will play it straight and who will weaponise the fear?Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beware the unholy alliance - Mark Zuckerberg's gargantuan Meta and the monster Murdoch media have just joined forces in a deal that creates the world's biggest disinformation machine enabling News Corps hard right, hate filled content to teach Meta's artificial intelligence products how to respond to questions.Expect a massive hook up which will amplify anti migrant, anti science, anti minority narratives.Denis Muller says if you're worried about disinformation and fakery, this is a vision from hell.  While we're skating the hellscape, Donald Trump is falsely accusing media outlets of treason for failing to gush over his disastrous bombing war, a crime punishable by death. The Presidents sycophantic media regulator is threatening the broadcast networks with licence revocation unless they stick to the company line.And the brash Australian media mogul, ACMs Antony Catalano who snapped up dozens of regional mastheads in 2019, has made headlines of his own - for all the wrong reasons.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The fascist President who wants a Nobel Peace Prize just bombed Iran killing hundreds of innocents including 100 schoolgirls. Violent tyrant Donald Trump spins the bloodshed as a battle of good versus evil .. who in the media fall for the BS?And just when we don’t need another hard right collection of divisive haters rocketing up the podcast charts, Nines $2.8M man Karl Stefanovic goes Rogan.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Truth, Lies & Media Live📆 Sunday 15th March🕦 6:30pm📍 The Coolroom, Northern Arts Hotel, Castlemaine 🎫 TicketsSupport independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Palace PR machine kept ex Prince Andrew’s tawdry secrets hidden for decades - but no more. Denis Muller describes the “startled corpse” photo that flew around the world within minutes and revisits the other great royal scandal also covered up - the Hitler fanboy Edward viii who called on Britain from exile after abdicating to make peace with the violent fascist. Plus the New York Daily News calls out the Trump administration as a the world’s biggest criminal enterprise - existing to lie, steal and murder - in a powerful editorial truth bomb.And the spread of white supremacist, climate denying narratives into news feeds is normalising dangerous, racist, democracy-destroying ideas ..and it’s been meticulously planned that way. So why won’t the media report on the Senate inquiry which is revealing the dark forces behind this toxic disinformation machinery?  “Truth Lies & Media” drops just after midnight Wednesday mornings!Support independent journalismBecome a member Our SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Truth, Lies & Media Live📆 Sunday 15th March🕦 6:30pm📍 The Coolroom, Northern Arts Hotel, Castlemaine 🎫 TicketsSupport independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Riddle me this .. Why aren't the media hitting the alarm bells over the Australian MAGA machine trying to install a Trumpian government in this country? They call themselves Advance, they fawn over Pauline Hanson, they are funded by rich conservative donors and they set their attack dogs on voices that refuse to sing from the whites only, climate denying, back to the 50's hard right playbook. It's a big story getting minimal attention.  Plus we look at the gushing media interviews rolled out for the new Liberal leader, Angus "Watergate" Taylor.. you will have heard lots of slogans about "Australian values" but no mention of the Robodebt cabinet he served in or dogwhistling to racists.  And the once mighty Gallup polling agency, the founder of all modern public opinion methodology, bends the knee to Donald Trump.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ASIO takes aim at the ABC as Four Corners questions intelligence failures in the lead up to the Bondi terror attack .. The mighty Washington Post which broke the Watergate scandal now being detonated by its owner Jeff Bezos in order to curry favour with a corrupt President.And the bizarre “love and friendship” headline published by The Age for the visiting Israeli President Isaac Herzog, accused of inciting a genocide. Plus we farewell Jon Kudelka, beloved political cartoonist. Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bondi media BS .. how the mainstream media led by the Murdoch press wanted the public to think it was railing against hate while it weaponised a massacre.In the US we examine the arrest of a former CNN anchor Don Lemon in a Trump crackdown to silence the press after the fascist regimes agents executed a mother and then an ED nurse in Minneapolis.At the same time Washington Post boss Jeff Bezos pays a brazen bribe as he pays millions to Melania Trump to make a movie about Melania Trump starring Melania Trump .. which has spectacularly bombed.And the Australian news outlets openly sexist headline “Why I Wouldn’t Marry Sussan Ley” sparks fury as it reduces a political leaders worth to her desirability as a wife.“Truth Lies @ Media” roars into 2026!💥Apple & Spotify Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for the last weekly discussion in 2025 - It's been a wonderful year! We'll be back in early 2026. Thank you for listening and for all your support! Have a safe and happy holiday season, and all the best from us at TLAM - Nicole, Denis, Simon, Brendan, Denes and Pixie. Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A fired up Kerry O’Brien delivers some truth bombs at journalism’s night of nights .. but why did some of Nines papers omit his praise for courageous Palestinian reporters who paid with their lives to report a genocide. Plus .. the BBC bends the knee to Trump, cutting criticism from a prestigious lecture it commissioned.And whose ABC? Wall to wall white guys handed all the plum broadcasting jobs at ABC Radio Sydney.  Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We take a revealing look inside the head of billionaire ex media baron James Packer who, from his yacht, has savaged Dan Andrews for nearly "ruining his life" with a multi million dollar tax bill that Crown had to pay when Packer was at the helm. Still you'd consider the insults a badge of honour when you consider his list of heroes - an alleged war criminal, a hardline media propagandist and a fascist President.Plus .. Donald Trump publicly berates an ABC journalist who challenges a Saudi Prince that the President is fawning over.  Donald Trump hurled his "fake news" jibes at reporter Mary Bruce despite the CIA finding that it was Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who ordered the grisly killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.And Andrew Bolt along with other News Corp stars, now facing a discrimination complaint brought by iconic Australian actor Claudia Karvan and Palestinian anti genocide activists."Truth Lies & Media" drops at midnight Wednesday morning .. and don't miss our upcoming Saturday deep dive .. This weekend we take a behind-the-scenes look at life being dropped into true crime stories with veteran former court reporter Phil Johnson - what it does to survivors, to loved ones and to the journalists who bring you the news. Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A major shake up is unfolding at Channel 9 which will see dozens of jobs axed as the free-to-air broadcaster merges with its 'Stan' streaming operations.The dramatic restructure reflects the reality of declining traditional TV revenues while digital streaming services boom - but what will it mean for audiences?We take a look at the legacy of the notorious hard man of the NSW Labor Right Graham Richardson who has died aged 76 - the ruthless powerbroker whose shady dealings prompted investigative journalist Kate McClymont to describe him as "the one who got away." And the Victorian Liberals suddenly have a new leader after some lightning bolt bloodletting that no-one saw coming. We look at the art of getting the jump on the betrayal and the brutality of political leadership spills - the story that has it all.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where were you 50 years ago when Australian democracy appeared to be on the verge of tearing itself apart over the sacking of the messianic Labor PM Gough Whitlam?Denis Muller was working as federal parliamentary sub editor at the Sydney Morning Herald and describes that newsroom on Remembrance Day 1974 as a political tidal wave hit.Plus .. Donald Trump rolls out his tried and true business model - confecting outrage and then extorting money from the media - this time he wants $1b from the BBC for a misleading edit .. And we remember the glitter, the pomposity, the devotees and the scandals that characterised of the life of Sydney talkback radio star John Laws who has died at the age of 90.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another fairytale Melbourne Cup story goes down in history .. but who shines a light on the shameful way many of the thoroughbred champions are treated? And .. first there was Robodebt - now the Australian Tax Office is using an aggressive private debt collector to hunt taxpayers including welfare recipients - while billionaire media propagandist Rupert Murdoch pays no tax.Is salacious gossip “news?” We look at the Victorian Liberal MP and his wife who are suing the Herald Sun in the first test of new privacy laws .. And ABC staff who struggle to get a pay rise unimpressed as Aunty pays $836,000 to the former executive who illegally sacked Antoinette Lattouf - for just 8 months work. Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Silencing the truthtellers .. A furore ignites after the National Press Club cancels a pro Palestinian commentator and then falsely denies he was ever booked .. The ABCs David Marr then interviews the Pulitzer Prize winning war correspondent .. but it too turns into an attack.Why such rage triggered by the celebrated Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Chris Hedges whose sin was apparently to observe that the Western media had been amplifying Israel's lies over the killing in Gaza.Plus .. Google AI falsely names a Sydney Morning Herald employee as a child killer.. we discuss the chilling danger of replacing journalists with artificial intelligence.Also .. Lying for votes - new research reveals politicians and political parties were the key drivers of misinformation during the 2025 federal election .. And ex ABC Chair Ita Buttrose is doing a media blitz to sell her new book .. but is also wiping her hands of any blame for the multi million dollar debacle that started with the illegal sacking of journalist Antoinette Lattouf to placate an aggressive pro Israel lobby.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In front of a world audience Anthony Albanese charms the irascible, unpredictable, self-aggrandising President of the United States, inking a lucrative rare earths deal for Australia and artfully defusing a petty insult thrown at ambassador Kevin Rudd - who once called Trump the "village idiot".The Age describes the landmark meeting as "a raging success" but News Corp drags out its haters to run LNP talking points and to claim Rudd was "lashed" and "humiliated"Mind you, this is the same discredited hard right News Corp who, courtesy of The Australiannewspaper, eagerly agreed to curbs on reporting issued by Pentagon control freaks that effectively criminalised journalism - before an embarrassing backflip.In the UK we take a critical look at the BBC edict ordering journalists not to wear "Black Lives Matter" t-shirts in the newsroom ..And fifty years after their murder by Indonesian special forces, we honour the memory of the Balibo Five - the newsmen who died attempting to report on the brutal and bloody invasion of East Timor.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The attempted global rebrand of Donald Trump from dictatorial tyrant to world peacemaker is in full swing .. but will the media fall for it?The backdrop of the Egypt peace summit, lavish orchestral music and freed hostages is not convincing everybody as innocent Americans continue to be rounded up violently by masked ICE enforcers and Trumps corrupt business deals come under scrutiny.Plus the new ABC MD reveals the national broadcasters failed court fight with illegally sacked broadcaster Antoinette Lattouf has so far cost the taxpayer two and a half million dollars .. Hugh Marks told Senate Estimates the debacle had been “totally avoidable”And News Corps endless harassment of Brittany Higgins ratchets up again.Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Using the violent language of Mussolini, Trump and his Secretary of War Pete Hegseth tell 800 generals and admirals that they will be expected to wage war in Democrat cities against American citizens they are sworn to protect claiming there is "an enemy within."The American media immediately went "red alert" at the unprecedented threat from a President to the people .. Why did the Australian media focus on Hegseth's "fat generals" slur and"woke bashing?"Plus Oscar winning actor Jane Fonda reactivates the Hollywood free speech activist group her father started to combat the rise of McCarthyism warning Donald Trump there's a fight coming ..And Rupert Murdoch's News Australia pays no tax but carries on demonising welfare recipients for expecting an "age of entitlement."Support independent journalismBecome a memberOur SocialsFacebookBlueSkyX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.