We Used to be Journos

We Used to be Journos

We used to be journalists, but now we mostly just bitch about them. (Kidding. Kind of.) We also break down broken news.

Episodes drop Wednesday and Saturday.

Hosted by long-suffering journalists and even longer-suffering friends Jan Fran and Antoinette Lattouf, We Used to Be Journos pulls apart the week in media from people who know exactly how the machine runs because they worked inside it for decades.

Every Wednesday, the pair sift through the headlines you saw and the forces you did not. Expect blunt media analysis, zooming in on dodgy editorial calls, anonymous sources doing gymnastics, and the occasional whiff of bigotry dressed up as balance. Consider it a guided tour of the newsroom sausage factory so you know what ended up on your plate.

On Saturdays, the spin-off segment Only Jan hands the microphone to Walkley Award winner Jan Fran. One issue, one sharp monologue, foresincally researched, tightly argued, and, inconveniently for the powerful, quite funny.


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If you want to see our mugs as we yap you can watch the episode in full here.


Thanks to @jaidanielpyne for composing the music for our podcast.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Episode's summary

Jan and Antoinette look at how a violent attack on independent MP Helen Haines was politicised by The Australian, despite the scant details and evidence available. Antoinette reflects honestly on her time in Lebanon, why it’s a country of contrasts and what "holidaying" in a warzone is really like. Also, we bring you a special interview with local reporter Widad Francis about the multifaceted challenges of being a journalist in Lebanon. Plus, what extremist settler attacks on Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine reveal about the paper’s inconsistent ethical and editorial standards. And Jan Fran has strong feelings about ABC Radio National's Top 100 Books of All Time. Support Ette Media by subscribing here. Shooter/Editor: Lachlan French Send us your tips tips@ettemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

108-

Attack on Helen Haines, Antoinette’s time in Lebanon, WaPo journo beaten by Israeli settlers + ABC’s top 100 books list

Jan and Antoinette look at how a violent attack on independent MP Helen Haines was politicised by The Australian, despite the scant details and evidence available. Antoinette reflects honestly on her time in Lebanon, why it’s a country of contrasts and what "holidaying" in a warzone is really like. Also, we bring you a special interview with local reporter Widad Francis about the multifaceted challenges of being a journalist in Lebanon. Plus, what extremist settler attacks on Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine reveal about the paper’s inconsistent ethical and editorial standards. And Jan Fran has strong feelings about ABC Radio National's Top 100 Books of All Time. Support Ette Media by subscribing here. Shooter/Editor: Lachlan French Send us your tips tips@ettemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 Oct 2026
107-

ONLY FRAN: South America's Trumpian turn

In the span of 12 months Chile, Colombia and now (likely) Brazil will join Argentina and take a Trumpian turn by electing far-right leaders. As it happens, they are the top four largest economies in South America. This week Jan Fran takes a look at why a far-right wave is is making a splash across South America and what that has to do with the current US president and the man who was US President in 1823. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16 Oct 2026
106-

Our Gen Z employee doesn’t believe in objectivity

In this special episode, Jan Fran is joined by Soaliha Iqbal, Ette’s social media editor, who brings a unique Gen Z perspective on media and journalism. They talk about Soaliha’s time in online youth media, why Israel/Palestine was such a fraught story to cover, what made Soaliha finally quit and why she doesn’t aspire to be an ‘objective’ journalist. Support Ette Media by becoming a subscriber here. Shooter/Editor: Lachy French Send us your tips tips@ettemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 Oct 2026
105-

No Only Fran this week

Sorry folks, there wont be an Only Fran this week. Antoinette is away and I'm traveling, which has made it a bit difficult to put one together for you this week. Figured I'd keep you updated. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

09 Oct 2026
104-

The Ette x Lamestream collab you've been waiting for

*** A special deal for the Etterati - for a 30-day free subscription to Lamestream head to https://www.lamestream.com.au/ette and get Scott and Os’s breaking news and analysis for free. In this special episode, Jan Fran and Lamestream co-founder Scott Mitchell sit down for a long overdue chat about starting independent media companies. They trade war stories about coming up through the mainstream media, what made them finally decide to go independent and the future for smaller indi outlets. Plus, Scott talks about One Nation’s Victorian election campaign launch and the wildly racist video the media missed, while Jan brings some throwaway lines from the Australian Financial Review that have her cracking up because if she doesn’t laugh, she’ll cry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

06 Oct 2026