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Fourth Estate

2SER
Australia
Iran
United States
Journalism
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Ben Roberts-Smith
Gaza
John Howard
Inflation
The Washington Post
Media
Gaza Conflict
China
Epstein Files
Ette Media
Media Literacy
Condé Nast
Bob Hawke
Pauline Hanson
Isis

Every week, we discuss how the media has covered the news and analyse issues affecting the industry - with some of the biggest names in journalism in Australia and around the world. Broadcast live on Sydney's 2SER 107.3FM, with the financial assistance of the Community Broadcasting Foundation.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes400Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for Fourth Estate

Latest Episodes

Karl Stefanovic's dramatic exit from Nine has become one of the biggest Australian media stories of the year. But is this simply the downfall of a television star, or a sign that the media landscape itself is changing?

After his podcast interview wi... more

After serving as Prime Minister Bob Hawke's press secretary, Barrie Cassidy returned to journalism with a new perspective on politics and power.

Following several years as a correspondent based in the United States with The Australian, an unexpected... more

Thirty years ago, Pauline Hanson exposed a fault line in Australian politics that never really went away.

This week, following Hanson's first National Press Club address and amid signs One Nation is enjoying its strongest political moment in years, ... more

When Barrie Cassidy arrived in Canberra in 1979, Malcolm Fraser was Prime Minister, the political shockwaves of the 1975 dismissal were still reverberating through Australian politics, and Fraser was already fending off the leadership ambitions of a ... more

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Recent Guests

Charles Croucher
Nine's Political Editor, in the room for Hanson's National Press Club address
Nine Entertainment Co.
Episode: Please Explain: Pauline Hanson, One Nation and the Media's 30-Year Dilemma
Margo Kingston
Journalist and author who covered Hanson and One Nation
Media
Episode: Please Explain: Pauline Hanson, One Nation and the Media's 30-Year Dilemma
Raf Epstein
Journalist, ABC Radio Melbourne host, long-time political reporter
ABC
Episode: Please Explain: Pauline Hanson, One Nation and the Media's 30-Year Dilemma
Barrie Cassidy
Veteran Australian journalist and broadcaster, former ABC political reporter and press secretary to Bob Hawke
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC); Hawke government
Episode: Profile: In Conversation with Barrie Cassidy (Part 1)
Bill Shorten
Former Labour leader; Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra
University of Canberra
Episode: The Stories We Tell Ourselves: China, America and Australian Self-Reliance
Wanning Sun
Professor of Media and Cultural Studies, University of Technology Sydney
University of Technology Sydney
Episode: The Stories We Tell Ourselves: China, America and Australian Self-Reliance
Peter Hartcher
Political and International Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age
The Sydney Morning Herald / The Age
Episode: The Stories We Tell Ourselves: China, America and Australian Self-Reliance
Ben Doherty
Senior Reporter, Guardian Australia; former Southeast Asia correspondent
Guardian Australia
Episode: The Stories We Tell Ourselves: China, America and Australian Self-Reliance
Sarah Wilson
Author, journalist, and commentator on media and global crises
Penguin Random House (publisher)
Episode: Sarah Wilson on Complexity, Collapse and Making Art in the Apocalypse

Hosts

Tina Quinn
Host of Fourth Estate on 2SER and other outlets; long-time journalist and program host
Sharon Davis
Listener-focused interviewer in archival segment; part of show's hosting team

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 82 ratings
  • 2SCR

    Excellent

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lizzie &Cassie
    Australia13 days ago
  • Wonderful Podcast

    Always a pleasure to listen to and appreciate the importance of journalism. The 60 years of four corners interview is so inspiring it could rightfully be included in any undergraduate journalism course.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Teddy S D
    Australia2 years ago
  • Alternative Views

    Sometimes I feel Monica uses this platform to air her personal grievances with the public. Although no-one should be threatened or abused, journalists are not above accountability. Her personal friendships with Leigh Sales and Rachel Baxendale often colour her view. Robust debate is essential in a democracy and more so when there is a monopoly on media ownership.

    Even some of the most respected of journalists have questioned Sale’s interpretation of some of her Twitter encounters. Maybe instead... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Vikkiiiiiiii
    Australia5 years ago
  • Worth your time

    I've been listening to this podcast for about a year and always learn something new and gain a fresh insight into a current media issue. Good for people working in the media and anyone with a passing interest in it's role in our society.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    music_mad_cooley
    Australia7 years ago
  • Anti kiwi Racist banter

    Peter Frey on this episode for some bizarre reason thinks he can publicly put down New Zealander- thank goodness for the other commentators who called him on it - but this racist anti kiwi banter is not acceptable

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Robynz58
    Australia8 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Well-produced discussions that balance archival memory with current media issues.
Provides a rigorous, well-structured take on media and democracy.
High-quality guests and insightful industry critique.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#151
Australia/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Profile: In Conversation with Barrie Cassidy (Part 2)
Q: What challenges did Barrie face when interviewing politicians with different communication styles?
He notes that politicians are highly trained to obfuscate, so interviewers must be prepared, adaptable, and willing to challenge falsehoods or misstatements with solid context and evidence.
Profile: In Conversation with Barrie Cassidy (Part 2)
Q: How did Barrie Cassidy view the role of tone and humor in political programming?
He believed humor and a lighter touch were important to prevent politics from becoming merely partisan anger, helping audiences engage with complex issues without cynicism or fatigue.
Profile: In Conversation with Barrie Cassidy (Part 2)
Q: What does Barrie Cassidy consider the secret to a good interview?
The secret is giving people the opportunity to tell their story, researching the guest in advance, and most importantly listening in the moment to pursue follow-up questions that reveal the deeper story, rather than rigidly sticking to a prepared list.
Profile: In Conversation with Barrie Cassidy (Part 2)
Q: What was the original vision for Insiders and how did it differ from traditional Sunday morning politics shows?
Barrie Cassidy explains that the aim was to create a Sunday morning program that felt like a relaxed, wide-ranging discussion with the Press Gallery, rather than a stiff, formal interview. He emphasized a loose, humorous, and accessible format that involved journalists from diverse backgrounds and regions, designed to engagingly present the week's political issues.
Profile: In Conversation With Anna Funder (Part 2)
Q: Why did you decide to frame All That I Am with two narrators, Ruth and Tola?
To reflect the truth that no single perspective can capture the full story, and to show how two different consciousnesses inhabit the same hinges of history, revealing how memory and truth diverge.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Fourth Estate

What is Fourth Estate about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show offers in-depth, panel-driven conversations about how media covers current events, with a focus on Australian journalism, media economics, and industry dynamics. Episodes frequently analyze budget policy, media consolidation, public broadcasting, and investigative reporting, often featuring veteran commentators and high-profile journalists who share behind-the-scenes perspectives on newsroom decision-making, editorial independence, and the evolving media landscape. A standout strength is its ability to pair long-form interviews with timely industry critiques, shedding light on how reporting shapes public understanding and democracy. The format — a mix of archival reminiscences, live tributes, and panel analysis — tends to attract ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Fourth Estate?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Fourth Estate:

1. 7am
2. Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny
3. Full Story
4. Australian Politics
5. We Used to be Journos

How many episodes of Fourth Estate are there?

Fourth Estate launched 11 years ago and published 400 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Fourth Estate?

Recent guests on Fourth Estate include:

1. Charles Croucher
2. Margo Kingston
3. Raf Epstein
4. Barrie Cassidy
5. Bill Shorten
6. Wanning Sun
7. Peter Hartcher
8. Ben Doherty

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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