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Fourth Estate

2SER
Australia
Journalism
Iran
United States
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Ben Roberts-Smith
Caroline Baum
Investigative Journalism
Gaza
Australian Media
John Howard
Me Too Movement
Inflation
The Washington Post
Media
Gaza Conflict
China
Ette Media
Media Literacy
Epstein Files

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

Who gets to defend the public’s right to know—and when do they need permission?

After ABC journalist and union president Michael Slezak faced possible disciplinary action over an article opposing restrictions on access to company directors’ informat... more

One of Australia's most celebrated investigative journalists, Kate McClymont has spent decades exposing corruption, organised crime and the murky relationships between money and political power.

In this episode from the Fourth Estate archives, origi... more

Donald Trump’s latest battle with the press has seen his White House move to exclude CNN, POLITICO and MS NOW — but this time, rival news organisations are standing together. What could Australia’s media learn from that show of solidarity?

Susan Gla... more

Australia has changed — but have our politics and media kept up?

In his new book Three Shocks: Who We Are Becoming in the 21st Century, journalist and author George Megalogenis charts the demographic, economic and geopolitical forces reshaping the c... more

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Recent Guests

Peter Greste
Journalist and press freedom advocate
Alliance for Journalist Freedom; Macquarie University
Episode: One From the Archives: Peter Greste on Our Wall of Secrecy
Kate McClymont
Investigative journalist, Sydney Morning Herald
Nine Entertainment Group
Episode: One From the Archives: Kate McClymont on Murder, Corruption and the Art of Investigation
Susan Glasser
Staff writer at The New Yorker and co-host of the Political Scene podcast
The New Yorker
Episode: Trump’s Press War, What Canberra Could Learn & Remembering Peter Manning
Alan Sunderland
Former editorial director of the ABC, former head of news at SBS
ABC
Episode: Trump’s Press War, What Canberra Could Learn & Remembering Peter Manning
Amy Remeikis
Chief Political Analyst at the Australia Institute and contributing editor at The New Daily
The Australia Institute / The New Daily
Episode: Trump’s Press War, What Canberra Could Learn & Remembering Peter Manning
Jonathan Holmes
Journalist, former executive producer of Four Corners and other programs
ABC/ Four Corners
Episode: Trump’s Press War, What Canberra Could Learn & Remembering Peter Manning
Jan Fran
Journalist, broadcaster, and media professional
EPMedia / ABC
Episode: Trump’s Press War, What Canberra Could Learn & Remembering Peter Manning
George Megalogenis
Author and journalist
Penguin Random House (Three Shocks)
Episode: George Megalogenis on the Political Class, Migration and a Changing Australia
Helen Pitt
Journalist with Sydney Morning Herald; extensive reporting background
Sydney Morning Herald
Episode: One From the Archives: Violence, Virality and the Media

Host

Tina Quinn
Host of Fourth Estate

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 95 ratings
  • High quality

    Appreciate the stories of real journalists and real journalism before it’s all gone

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OzEco
    Australia3 months ago
  • 2SCR

    Excellent

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lizzie &Cassie
    Australia4 months 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
    Australia8 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners value rigorous questioning and thoughtful analysis of media coverage.
Some episodes spark debate about interview ethics and perspective balance.
Audience discusses media accountability and nuanced discussion of complex political and media topics.
The show is praised for real-world journalism insights and high-quality guest panels.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

George Megalogenis on the Political Class, Migration and a Changing Australia
Q: What challenges do journalists face in engaging with migration policy in a nuanced way?
Journalists must balance informing the public with avoiding framing that inflames tensions; policy discussions should center on concrete impacts like housing, regional development, and labor markets rather than sensational slogans.
George Megalogenis on the Political Class, Migration and a Changing Australia
Q: How did the media's focus on high-drama leadership coups affect coverage of deeper social changes?
While leadership dramas are newsworthy, they often obscure underlying shifts in demographics and identity that truly redefine politics, necessitating broader, slower journalism to reveal underlying trends.
George Megalogenis on the Political Class, Migration and a Changing Australia
Q: Why did you leave the daily political hustle, and how did that influence your later writing?
The pace and pressures of daily reporting became unsustainable for depth; moving to long-form work allowed deeper analysis of structural changes and the long arc of Australia's demographic shifts.
George Megalogenis on the Political Class, Migration and a Changing Australia
Q: What did you mean by the arm wrestle between the new middle class and the old two-party system?
Australia's shift toward a more educated, professional female-majority workforce, coupled with increasing migrant populations, has eroded the old battler-centric voting logic, forcing politics to adapt to a broader set of voters.
One From the Archives: Violence, Virality and the Media
Q: Have either of you noticed a recent change in the way the Australian media reports on violence and harassment against women?
There has been more willingness to report when incidents occur, influenced by the Me Too movement and better training, but defamation concerns and sensationalism remain challenges.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Fourth Estate

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

A journalism-focused discussion series that analyzes how media covers current events, featuring long-form interviews with prominent journalists, editors, and media historians from Australia and beyond. Episodes frequently explore newsroom dynamics, ethics, bias, and the evolving media landscape—including live broadcasting challenges, digital transformation, and the business side of reporting. Notable strengths include deep field experience from veteran practitioners, thoughtful critique of interview standards, and a willingness to tackle controversial topics with nuance. The show often pairs investigative insight with personal storytelling, offering listeners practical takeaways for understanding media coverage and for anyone considering a ... more

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1. We Used to be Journos
2. Cut Through
3. 7am
4. Lamestream
5. Full Story

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. Peter Greste
2. Kate McClymont
3. Susan Glasser
4. Alan Sunderland
5. Amy Remeikis
6. Jonathan Holmes
7. Jan Fran
8. George Megalogenis

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