If you value independent journalism, support this show: https://bit.ly/4rqn9wF In this episode independent journalist Antony Loewenstein joins Jan Fran to discuss the Bondi terror attacks and the timid media response to proposals that curb civil liberties. Jan Fran and Antony move carefully through the tension between allowing victims time to greive and challenging political agendas that seek to curb anti-genocide protest, shrink public discourse, and mute criticism of Israel.Antony talks through what he believes is driving the rise in antisemitism, and why parts of the Jewish diaspora feel increasingly alienated from the pro-Israel lobby’s line.He also lays out why the crowd keeps speaking and keeps moving, even when the powerful wish the masses would go silent.Need a last minute gift? Tickets to Jan and Antoinette's live shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane can be bought here.Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here.Thanks to @jaidanielpyne for composing the music for Jan and Antoinette's podcast.
If you value independent journalism, support this show: https://bit.ly/4rqn9wF Recorded less than 24 hours after the horrific massacre in Bondi, this episode is a raw, urgent response to violence, fear, and the political weaponisation that has already followed.Speaking as a Jewish Australian, I reflect on grief, anger, and the dangers of conflating antisemitism with criticism of Israel. I unpack how pro-Palestine movements are being blamed without evidence, why knee-jerk calls for expanded police powers and immigration crackdowns should alarm us all, and how fear is being exploited to silence dissent.This is a call for clarity: to mourn without manipulation, to oppose violence against all civilians, and to resist narratives that trade supposed safety for authoritarianism.
If you value independent journalism, support this show: https://bit.ly/4rqn9wF In this episode, independent journalist Antony Loewenstein explains how Silicon Valley once promoted itself as the centre of innovation and connection, designing tools that would improve the world. Those days are long gone with many Silicon Valley “leaders” going full MAGA, embracing Trumpism, militarisation and Israel.What does it mean for society and democracy when AI firms are wholly unregulated? How do we reclaim sovereignty over online spaces, social media and AI? Are we heading into a dark time where AI and unelected Silicon Valley “leaders” are taking us to a period of unprecedented disaster capitalism? Credits:Produced by Lem ZakhariaLinks to footage:3:23: https://www.donotpanic.news/p/the-ai-drones-used-in-gaza-now-surveilling 3:55: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/11/04/chris-buskirk-maga-vance-post-trump/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzYyMjMyNDAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzYzNjE0Nzk5LCJpYXQiOjE3NjIyMzI0MDAsImp0aSI6Ijk5YWZhMmE5LTZhYWEtNGE3NC1iMWMxLTUxNjUzMmZmOWJkMiIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS90ZWNobm9sb2d5LzIwMjUvMTEvMDQvY2hyaXMtYnVza2lyay1tYWdhLXZhbmNlLXBvc3QtdHJ1bXAvIn0.Nk3INROYmwwt16HaHUNQ_iWxt9l3u1o1G7ZftWlMiH47:03: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/sep/10/tech-companies-are-stealing-our-books-music-and-films-for-ai-its-brazen-theft-and-must-be-stopped 12:09: https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/127-disaster-capitalism
If you value independent journalism, support this show: https://bit.ly/4rqn9wFIn this episode, independent journalist Antony Loewenstein breaks down the surge of far-right politics in Australia and across the West and explains why calling it “fringe” is pure delusion. Using the latest polling on One Nation, Australia’s third biggest political party, global parallels from Europe and the US, and the failures of both major political parties in the West, he lays out how economic anxiety, racism, and media complacency have created the perfect environment for extremist politics to thrive.He explains why Australia isn’t immune, why the mainstream press keeps downplaying the risk, and how the same patterns taking hold in France, Germany, Sweden, the UK and the US are already visible in Australia.He also explores what modern fascism actually looks like (hint: it’s already happening), why “cruelty is the point,” and what meaningful resistance requires beyond hand-wringing and hopeful thinking.A blunt, timely warning about a political shift too many Westerners are still pretending not to see.Credits:Produced by Lem ZakhariaReferences:Footage used in the intro/outro:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhNPgQ7GDu4https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gyu7jFnj9Nw&t=2shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSd9nmPM7Vg&t=397shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsfMPTiIuvYhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3iV_EeeYKkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQHUro6u6Kc&t=730shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbchYijjZZI&t=25shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_kTNIYsFnQ&t=28sFootage within the episode:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDZ70S8e3Qghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdNp46gNENYhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64it4eAQjnkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGutNlGdy6ohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb88Yy0n4jc&t=52s&pp=0gcJCSIKAYcqIYzvhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZWFcIEToKk