Welcome to the first edition of the Lamestream newsletter.
Every Friday, we're going to bring you fresh, independent analysis of the latest goings on in the world of media and current affairs. We'll share our favourite smart, and extremely dumb, quotes from Australia's leading media figures, tell you what to keep an eye on, and recommend our favourite journalism, TV shows, music, films, books and more from the week.
We're also going to report exclusive news stories, share insider goss and bring you the kind of fearless, punchy and honest journalism that's long been missing from the Australian media landscape.
We've also launched a brand new podcast and the first episode is out now. It covers the role of social media and influencers in the federal election, our top three underrated campaign narratives, and the new "anti-racism" campaign launched by Australia's biggest media companies.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
We need your support to help keep this going, so we encourage you to become a paid subscriber if you'd like to keep receiving this newsletter. If you signed up for updates from Lamestream, before launch, you'll be getting this first edition for free — and it's available on our website.
Welcome to Lamestream.
What's in this newsletter
👀 Killer Grabs: Quotes from around the traps.
✍ Why we created Lamestream: The inside word on building a new independent media platform.
🏆 Check It Out: The best journalism, opinion and entertainment we're enjoying, and why we think you will as well.
👀 Killer Grabs
"Under his leadership, ABC Content has achieved significant results for the public [...] This includes the ABC TV Network achieving the number one ranked television broadcaster in 2023-2024."
— Now-departed ABC managing director David Anderson's summary of chief content officer Chris Oliver-Taylor's achievements, in an internal email to staff.
There were only two problems with this note Anderson sent out before he departed. First, Oliver-Taylor joined the ABC in March 2023, so it would be remarkable work if he had influence over that year's television slate, which had already been announced months before he arrived.
Second, ABC TV's audience actually declined in 2023-24, reaching 200,000 less Australians than the year before. The Anderson-era of the ABC always did love telling itself a data story.
"The rise in racial hatred is unprecedented, unacceptable and unworthy of our great nation."
— Michael Miller, executive chairman of News Corp.
Do we really need to explain this one? Seriously, it's the guy who runs News Corp talking about the rise in racial hatred. Figure it out.
"A majority of independent directors will ensure that the board is fully aligned with both the spirit of journalism and best practice in the modern world."
— Sixteen eminent journalists, in a letter calling for reform to the Walkley Foundation, which runs Australia's top journalism awards.
Another idea that might align the Walkley Foundation's board with the modern world is term limits. The three independent directors already on the board can stay on it forever, if they like. The three directors representing the union face elections from members. We're sure this skipped the mind of whoever wrote the letter.
✍ Why we created Lamestream
Right now, the world feels more fractured than ever. More of us feel disconnected from the political system, trust in traditional media is collapsing and institutions are failing us. We urgently need to have a conversation about why, and what to do about it.
It feels like that while it’s never been more important to understand the divisions in our society and what’s shaping our new political landscape, it’s also never been harder. Younger Australians, in particular, care deeply about the future and the people responsible for it, but are increasingly disconnected from legacy media, which has failed to ask the questions and cover the stories they care about.
That’s why we created Lamestream: A new, independent, weekly podcast and newsletter that tackles the crisis in media. Lamestream is aimed at informing and entertaining listeners about old and new media and how it shapes news, culture, politics and current affairs.
It's created by us: Osman Faruqi and Scott Mitchell. We've worked for almost every media organisation in the country and now we want to use our experience, insight and contacts to help you make sense of how media and politics really works. We'll share inside secrets, spill goss and break stories of our own to help unpack what’s really going on.
Readership at Australia’s major newspapers is collapsing, the ABC has abandoned younger audiences and a new generation of influencers and streamers are facing scrutiny over transparency and partisanship. Figuring out what that means for how we understand our society and politics is what Lamestream is about.
Are there any trustworthy media outlets left in Australia? What does Rupert Murdoch’s continued stranglehold on legacy media mean for Australian society? Why has the ABC given up on everyone but boomers? How is the rise of Trump and the far-right globally impacting our political system?
These are kinds of questions we want to tackle at Lamestream, with a commitment to independence, a desire to make a difference and sense of humour.
So welcome to the show, and we hope you stick around.
🏆Check It Out
The good journalism, takes, movies, music or posts of the week.
Os:
The WSJ has been doing a stellar job investigating Elon Musk's personal life and his business ventures. This latest story looks how at Musk is helping people close to him make a stack of cash while avoiding scrutiny. It's great reporting, but also highlights how much the coverage of Musk is generally sycophantic or meaningless. He's the wealthiest man in the world with unprecedented access to The White House. Every single thing he does should be investigated and exposed.
- Andor Season 2: The best show on TV right now
I talked about this on Monday's podcast in more detail, but Andor's second season has really hit a new high watermark for superb television. It's a Star Wars show that streams on Disney+, but that kind of undersells it. It's a spy thriller that explores the gears of fascism, what compels people to join a revolution, the tensions with political movements, and the enduring power of love. Even if you don't care about Star Wars, I promise this show is worth your time.
- Sinners: My favourite film of the year, so far
Ryan Coogler's exploration of race, capitalism, the power of music, and the sheer force of will it takes to create something you truly own yourself is astonishing both for its scope and execution. I don't want to say too much more because the movie exists in two-halves, and I genuinely think it's better enjoyed if you don't know what's coming. But this is an incredible film from one of my favourite directors starring of the the best actors of his generation, Michael B. Jordan. Watch it in Imax if you can.
You can read more on my Letterboxd.
Scott:
- Chris Ryan on the Birth, Death, and Rebirth of Blogging
The Press Box is a regular listen for me, and not an insignificant reference point for me when it comes to what we're doing here at Lamestream. But last week's episode should be great listening for anyone who yearns for the days of a more de-centralised internet. It's a fascinating but fun conversation about what the old internet used to provide us, and what green shoots there are in the current digital media reckoning.
- The ABC goes inside a sharehouse and it's actually great!
Last week, the ABC's Grace McKinnon took the ABC News instagram page into a properly bizarre sharehouse. It's probably not be the worst rental you've ever seen, but it's suitably cuckoo-bananas – and the video leans-in, with a broadcast stick mic chaotically handed between housemates to joke about their horror stories. It's just great content.
See? We here at Lamestream are very happy to dish out the compliments to the ABC on content that might interest people under 50. We just want more reasons to do it.
- Sports Night (1998-2000)
This two-season television gem is not actually about sport. It's a show about making television and dealing with network executives. Aaron Sorkin got the show commissioned at ABC, then unexpectedly had The West Wing commissioned by NBC at the same time. The result? he'd write one show during the day and one during the night, with the aid of a lot of cocaine. I'm actually not a Sorkin fan, but Sports Night nails the excitement of broadcast media like no other show. Just listen to that opening riff.
Why not get in touch with us?
We're always looking for tips, quotes, questions or feedback. We'd love to feature your thoughts in this newsletter or on the podcast.
Make sure to include whether you'd like to remain anonymous or if you'd prefer to have your name included, if we talk about your email.
