Fourth Estate

When Stasiland was first published in 2003, it became an international sensation — winning the UK’s top non-fiction prize and propelling Anna Funder onto the world stage. In part two of this conversation with Tina Quinn, Anna reflects on the book’s extraordinary acclaim, and how her distinctive approach to truth-telling shaped her later works, All That I Am, The Girl with the Dogs, and Wifedom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She may not call herself a journalist, but Anna Funder’s work is a fearless meditation on truth, and a masterclass in pushing the boundaries of genre to capture it. Her writing tackles the great arcs of 20th-century history, from the totalitarian state of East Germany, to the rise of Nazism, to the shackles of patriarchy, always through the lives of real people whose courage, resilience, and quiet heroism shine through. As part of our ongoing in-profile series, Anna joined Tina Quinn in studio to talk about her journey from Melbourne to East Berlin — the city where the stories that became her award-winning debut book, Stasiland, first began to take shape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we mark 24 years since the September 11 terror attacks, we revisit the Fourth Estate archives with a special episode first broadcast in September 2021 on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Hosted at the time by Prue Clarke — who herself was in New York when the attacks happened — this conversation digs into the media’s role in shaping America’s response, from uncritical reporting that smoothed the path to war, to coverage that overlooked the backlash against Muslim Americans and the erosion of civil liberties within the United States. Prue was joined by Andrew Rosenthal, former editorial page editor of The New York Times, and Doha Madani, senior breaking news reporter at NBC News. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, Australia expelled Iran’s ambassador in a move that dominated headlines. But while the media focused on the diplomatic drama, the government quietly introduced legislation that would strip certain migrants of their right to procedural fairness — a story almost entirely buried by the Iran announcement. Both developments raise serious questions about secrecy, accountability, and double standards — questions the media largely failed to ask. On this episode of Fourth Estate, we look at how the media missed the bigger story, why the public was quicker to connect the dots, and what it tells us about Australia’s treatment of migrants and its relationships abroad. Joining host, Tina Quinn, is two stalwarts of the Canberra Press Gallery - Amy Remeikis (Chief Political Analyst for The Australia Institute) and Mark Kenny (Director of the Australian Studies Institute at ANU). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura Tingle is widely regarded as one of Australia’s finest political journalists, with nearly four decades spent in the Canberra Press Gallery covering every government from Malcolm Fraser to Anthony Albanese. But this year she stunned even the most seasoned observers by announcing her departure as 7.30’s Chief Political Correspondent — leaving Parliament House behind to take on a new role as the ABC’s Global Affairs Editor. In this episode of Fourth Estate’s ongoing 'In Profile' series, Laura joined Tina Quinn in studio to reflect on her remarkable career, the shifting culture of political reporting, and what comes next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A historic moment of civil disobedience took place across the Sydney Harbour Bridge last week, as hundreds of thousands of people came out to demonstrate against Israel’s actions in Gaza. Although some media outlets chose to report on the protest with highly dramatised descriptions, authorities confirmed no arrests were made and the demonstration was largely peaceful. The following day, Australia’s government announced a further $20 million for aid to assist with both food and medical supplies in Gaza. Joining Tina Quinn to discuss the coverage of the protest and its political impact was Kenneth Roth (former Executive Director of Human Rights Watch), Nabil Al-Nashar (Reporter for ABC News Sydney) and Amber Schultz (Crime and Justice Reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald). Kenneth Roth has just published a new book entitled, Righting Wrongs: Three Decades on the Front Lines Battling Abusive Governments. And stay tuned for a special message about the upcoming national conference for the not-for-profit c

All eyes are again firmly on Gaza this week as the enclave faces mass starvation that human rights groups and aid organisations have been loudly warning of for months. Media outlets that seemed to previously play down the plight of Palestinians, and the actions of the Israeli government have flooded their front pages with graphic images of emaciated, disease ridden children, accompanied by headlines like “Stop This Now.” The UK and France have flagged their intention to recognise Palestine as a state, and the Australian government has accused Israel of breaching international law. So how seismic really is this apparent change in tone from our media and our politicians? Former Middle East Correspondent David Leser, himself a Jewish man has penned a powerful column for The Sydney Morning Herald on the moral catastrophe facing his community and political leaders the world over. He spoke with Tina Quinn about whether we actually might be at a tipping point, the plight of journalists reporting in the region

For generations, First Nations people have called for a truth-telling process — a way to formally acknowledge the harm caused by colonisation and ongoing injustice. In Victoria, that process has taken historic form through the Yoorrook Justice Commission — the first truth-telling inquiry of its kind in Australia. Over a number of years, the commission heard thousands of testimonies, exposing the deep and painful truths of the state’s past and present. Now, its final report has been handed to the Victorian government. Daniel James — writer, broadcaster, and co-host of the 7am podcast was one of the author's of the commission's report, Truth Be Told. He joined Tina Quinn to discuss what Yoorrook uncovered. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Journalist, author and television presenter, Jan Fran joins Tina Quinn in studio to talk the launch of Ette Media, a new independent venture she's co-founded with fellow journalist, Antoinette Lattouf. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What began as just five casual shifts behind the microphone has escalated into one of the most high-profile legal battles in Australian media. In 2023, Antoinette Lattouf was dropped as a fill-in presenter on ABC Radio Sydney after she shared a Human Rights Watch post about the Israel-Gaza conflict, which claimed Israel had used starvation as a "weapon of war." Lattouf took the national broadcaster to court, alleging wrongful dismissal. Now, after a lengthy and expensive legal fight, Justice Darryl Rangiah has ruled in favour of Antoinette Lattouf. Co-founder of Lamestream Media, Scott Mitchell and Media Reporter for Crikey, Daanyal Saeed, joined Tina Quinn to discuss both the judgment and the implications for not only the ABC, but the media more broadly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We turn the clock back this week and revisit former Fourth Estate host, Monica Attard's conversation with Sophie McNeil, previously the ABC's Middle East Correspondent, and Hugh Riminton, National Affairs Editor for 10 News First. This episode originally aired in May 2021, during what became known as the Israel-Palestine crisis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the latest uprising of violence in Gaza surpasses 600 days, the government of Israel is facing unprecedented condemnation from its Western allies. France, the United Kingdom, and Canada have provided the most surprising about-face, with many other countries echoing sentiments of "disgrace" over the Netanyahu government's actions. But many critics say it's a case of too little, too late. So what has triggered this shift in language, and could it signal a more meaningful shift in policy? Joining Tina Quinn from Tel Aviv to discuss the implications, the coverage, and the way forward is Lindsey Hilsum, International Editor for Channel 4 News and one of the most esteemed foreign correspondents of her generation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In what turned out to be a much more definitive result than most pundits were expecting, the Labor government of Anthony Albanese has been returned to office for a second term with an increased majority. Meanwhile, the Coalition suffered devastating losses across the board, and lost the head of their party in Peter Dutton. Why did the Coalition lose so spectacularly? How did the Albanese Government manage a largely unprecedented comeback? Is the once undeniable influence of Rupert Murdoch's media now irrelevant? And does this result signal a seismic shift in Australian politics? Joining Tina Quinn for a post-mortem is Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst at The Australia Institute, Louise Milligan, Investigative Reporter for the ABC's Four Corners, and Mark Kenny, Director of the Australian Studies Institute at the Australian National University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After what's been a largely uneventful election campaign, Australian's are only days away from heading to the ballot box, and analysts are predicting the result could bring some surprises yet. So, will Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Labor party be returned to government? Or will Peter Dutton and the Coalition defy the polls and make a largely unprecedented comeback? And what how will the minor parties and independents, who played such a pivotal role in 2022’s result, fair? Joining Tina Quinn to discuss is Anna Henderson, Chief Political Correspondent for SBS, Phil Coorey, Political Editor of The Australian Financial Review, and Daniel James, Host of Schwartz Media’s 7am podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Australia is three weeks into the 2025 federal election cycle, and this time around the issues dominating the agenda have been as wide-ranging as housing, energy prices, climate change and somehow even, American President Donald Trump. But as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's campaign falters captures the media's attention, is Prime Minister Anthony Albanese enjoying a smoother ride than he otherwise would be? Joining Tina Quinn to discuss is ABC Radio National's Melissa Clarke, The Saturday Paper's Jason Koutsoukis, and News Corp's Clare Armstrong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the as the so-called ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has collapsed, the official death toll in the region has surpassed 50,000, although experts warn the real number is much higher. Of those many thousands who have perished are hundreds of journalists who have been killed in Gaza while simply reporting on the conflict. This last week brought shocking footage of a media tent being bombed, with a number of journalists inside burning to their deaths. Over the border in Israeli-occupied Jerusalem, is a very different situation. That's where you'll find foreign correspondents from western media organisations, like the BBC, CNN and Australia’s ABC, reporting from. Many of them would like to be on the ground in Gaza, but the Israeli government refuses to grant them access, so much of the information they receive from inside Palestine comes from the local journalists on the ground there. On this episode of Fourth Estate, Tina Quinn speaks to two journalists from these two neighboring cities. Al-Jazeera's

After what seemed like an interminably long lead-up, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has finally called the election for May 3 - ending weeks of speculation about when Australians will head to the polls. The date was seemingly ‘leaked’ an hour before Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton was due to hand down his much anticipated budget speech, catching the Liberals on the back foot and no doubt setting the tone for the usual horse race that is a federal election campaign. Joining Tina Quinn to discuss the current state of play and the challenges which lie ahead for both sides, was Canberra insiders Amanda Copp (Nine News), Claudia Long (ABC) and Paul Bongiorno (The Saturday Paper). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Fourth Estate returns this week, we examine whether the issue of anti-Semitism is being weaponised by both our media and political class. Joining Tina Quinn to discuss is investigative journalist Antony Loewenstein, Crikey's Rachel Withers and The Sydney Morning Herald's Max Maddison. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we turn back the clock to Tina Quinn's conversation with foreign correspondent, Lynne O'Donnell. Lynne has spent close to 30 years covering terrorism, conflict and war across Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe. In 2022, Lynne herself made headlines around the world, when she was detained by Taliban intelligence agents in Afghan capital of Kabul, forced to retract some of her articles, and coerced into making a public apology during what she described as three days of “cat-and-mouse” with regime authorities. A week after she fled Kabul, Lynne joined Fourth Estate from Islamabad, Pakistan to talk about her ordeal. This episode was originally broadcast in July, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we step back into the archives to Tina Quinn's conversation with famed human rights lawyer, author and broadcaster, Geoffrey Robertson. The year was 2021. Scott Morrison was still prime minister of Australia, it was the early days of the Biden presidency, before Russia’s war with Ukraine, and this most recent conflict in the Middle East. Julian Assange was still fighting off extradition from his UK prison cell to the United States, where a life sentence seemed likely. And Donald Trump seemed to be firmly in everybody's rear view mirror. But one thing was very unchanged. Injustice was, as it still is, rising at alarming rates, with little in the way of consequences for those committing some of the most heinous crimes on incredibly grand scales. In this episode, Geoffrey Robertson discusses what he felt was a plan B. This episode was originally broadcast in May, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices