Rephonic
Artwork for Fourth Estate

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
Ette Media
China
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

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Fourth Estate

Latest Episodes

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

How should journalists report domestic violence — and what happens when allegations of abuse become content?

In this edition of Fourth Estate: One From the Archives, Tina Quinn revisits a 2022 conversation recorded in the aftermath of the Johnny Dep... more

Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, Fourth Estate returns to the newsrooms and streets where history unfolded in real time.

Sandra Sully joins Tina Quinn to reflect on the extraordinary night she became the first Australian journalist ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

7am
7amSolstice Media
Full Story
Full StoryThe Guardian
Lamestream
LamestreamLamestream Media
Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny
Democracy Sausage with Mark KennyThe Australian National University

Recent Guests

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
Lin Evlin
Journalist with SBS News; previously ABC roles; Our Watch fellow
SBS News
Episode: One From the Archives: Violence, Virality and the Media
Sandra Sully
Network 10 news presenter, former Fourth Estate host
Network 10
Episode: 9/11 at 25: Reflections from the Newsdesk, Dispatches from Ground Zero
Prue Clarke
Former Fourth Estate host, journalist
Financial Times, ABC
Episode: 9/11 at 25: Reflections from the Newsdesk, Dispatches from Ground Zero
Doha Madani
Breaking news journalist
NBC News
Episode: 9/11 at 25: Reflections from the Newsdesk, Dispatches from Ground Zero
Andrew Rosenthal
Former national editor and editorial page editor at New York Times
New York Times
Episode: 9/11 at 25: Reflections from the Newsdesk, Dispatches from Ground Zero
Matthew Ricketson
Journalist, author of Getting Murdoch
Deakin University
Episode: Getting Murdoched: Power, Punishment and the Murdoch Machine
Bension Siebert
Investigative journalist turned independent reporter funding work through sex work
Cheek Media; Bensie and Finds Out (Instagram/TikTok/Substack)
Episode: The Wages Are a Scandal: When Sex Work Pays for Journalism

Host

Tina Quinn
Host of Fourth Estate

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 94 ratings
  • High quality

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OzEco
    Australia2 months ago
  • 2SCR

    Excellent

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lizzie &Cassie
    Australia3 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.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#154
Australia/News

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.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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

Where can I find podcast stats for Fourth Estate?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Fourth Estate. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Fourth Estate and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Fourth Estate get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Fourth Estate, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Fourth Estate?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Fourth Estate, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Fourth Estate have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Fourth Estate has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Fourth Estate?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Fourth Estate:

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

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.

How do I contact Fourth Estate?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Fourth Estate?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Fourth Estate from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Fourth Estate?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Fourth Estate. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Fourth Estate?

Recent guests on Fourth Estate include:

1. George Megalogenis
2. Helen Pitt
3. Lin Evlin
4. Sandra Sully
5. Prue Clarke
6. Doha Madani
7. Andrew Rosenthal
8. Matthew Ricketson

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days