THE FOURTH ESTATE

Episode 42: December 2-5, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:34:55 +0000

THE FOURTH ESTATE FINALE FOR 2011 - Walkley beds Wikileaks as Assange picks up a gong - The year in review following that NOTW debacle - Social media marketing face-off

Episode 41: November 25-28, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:27:36 +0000

In the penultimate edition for 2011, on the show this week, we allot some time towards reflection over some of the events that went down in the media over the course of the year: incidentally, so did the ABC and ACMA... - Post Mortem 278: The latest Kyle Sandilands scandal - We draw out the kernels of content production from the latest initiative called POPCORN - As well as getting the 123 on the ABC as it reviews its year in television - And sore losers or clever marketers: should advertising revert to fowl play?

Episode 40 - November 18-21, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 06:30:12 +0000

Only but a handful of shows left for 2011 to air for you, but fear not, the team is still crankin out the good stuff, including: - SPIN DOCTORS AND THE CAMPAIGN PROCESS: KATE AUBUSSON Looked into the role of PR in campaigning for a position in the US Republican party - WOLF CREEK 2: MURDERING THE MOVIE? MIG CALDWELL The announcement of the impending release of a sequel to the 2003 Australian horror film that lent from greater truths in our history, WOLF CREEK has been the subject of a new publication of critical analysis adding to the Currency Press, Australian screen classics series. KIDSAFE? DYLAN BARBER Dylan Barber spoke to GLEN CULPIT, Vice-president of the AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL ON CHILDREN AND THE MEDIA, about the current state of play in the children’s market.

Episode 39: NOVEMBER 11-14, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 19:57:39 +0000

THIS WEEK ON THE PROGRAM: - AU KIDS ONLINE: Groundbreaking research published that compared and contrasted the internet usage of children aged 9-16 from 26 nations, shows Aussie kids are proficient and tech-savvy at a younger age than European counterparts'. Mig Caldwell spoke to PROF. LELIA GREEN -CBAA 2011 CONFERENCE: Dylan Barber pondered what the future spells out for the community broadcasting sector ahead of its annual conference - THE MOLE(SKINE) IN THE CROWD(SOURCE): Annie Wylie gets into a heated - and fun - discussion over the idea from Moleskine notebooks to source out new cover art from graphic designers -PROFILE - FEATURE WRITER ERIN O'DWYER: Spoke to Nathan Coates

Episode 38: November 4-7, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:44:55 +0000

This week, we were a little comical, learnt mum's the word in online marketing and maybe NPR is facing serious public pressures...? - we went over to the other side of the world to report on a New York reporter who ultimately should've retained the right to silence, after her public outcry displayed at an Occupy protest saw her facing the sack from public broadcaster, WNYC, as NATHAN COATES discovered. ANNIE WYLIE kept a straight face whilst talking all things in cartoons, with the finalists announced for the coveted national prize, THE STAN CROSS AWARD, crowning Gold Stanley winner as the nation's top cartoonist. And whilst we often look at the difficulty in developing a suitable online advertising model that will attract revenue, it seems that Mum's the word with the mass phenomenon of what are dubbed "Mummy bloggers" who, in turn, are attracting some big endorsement deals.

Episode 37 - October 28-31, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:59:07 +0000

The eleventh hour of the station's annual subscriber drive had reached the 2ser studios on this week's live version of the Fourth Estate, with a great number of support shown to 2ser and independent radio! - SBS to overhaul news programming schedule: NATHAN COATES - Citizens of the world unite with Noozdesk global journalism: MIG CALDWELL - A national magazine week to be held in November: ANNIE WYLIE - Getting political within the realm of cyberspace: DYLAN BARBER

Episode 36: October 21-24, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:59:27 +0000

Subscriber Drive special from Fourth Estate HQ: Radio 2ser, so: - Community radio in Honduras: an independent voice promoting democracy under oppression - New Matilda in Drive - Online news favourite launched its own subscriber drive - iPhone, therefore I am: Siri is the latest technology instilled which enables voice-activated guidance offering up an answer from everything to the temperature to the meaning of life

Episode 35 - October 14-17, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:39:33 +0000

- Game on! - SURG-ing on in the community media - BBC cost cutting could leave regional areas without

Episode 34: October 7-10, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:28:38 +0000

On this week's edition of the show: - Tweetin' the blues: Latest Mindframe media initiative aimed at combatting depression - Pink media proves to be where the market is: one man's vision has developed into a gay media marketing company - After the Bolt: what media independence means in the wake of the Andrew Bolt ruling of racial vilification in the Federal Court

Episode 33 - 30/9/11-3/10/11

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 09:19:15 +0000

This week on the show: The landmark decision handed down by Federal Court judge, MORDY BROMBERG, found controversial opinion writer, ANDREW BOLT, and his employer, The Herald and Weekly Times, guilty of publishing discriminatory material, questioning the validity of fair-skinned Aborigines in 2009. CRAIG LONGMAN spoke to one of the case’s applicants, DR MARK MCMILAN about his reactions over the proceedings and eventual outcome, which questioned the professionalism of Bolt as a journalist. MIG CALDWELL touched base with Australia’s only remote hub access to the sixth annual, UNITED NATIONS INTERNET GOVERNANCE FORUM, in Nairobi, Kenya, via the live stream enabled at Canberra’s Australian National University, which held a coinciding four day conference. JONATHAN HOLMES returns for Part 2 of the 2 part series of interviews from NATHAN COATES. He speaks this time about the decision recently made by Crikey to leak vital info relating to the Australian branch of News Corporated and its impending facelift. And new research conducted by the Australasian Performing Rights Association (APRA) indicates the live music industry and its impact on the economy shows some surprising results when considering how many venues are closed down due to red tape issues, as NEDA VANOVAC reports.

Episode 32: September 23-26, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 21:28:59 +0000

- Nathan Coates spoke to Media Watch presenter, Jonathan Holmes, about the new media inquiry announced by Stephen Conroy last week - Dylan Barber got dangerous ahead of the Festival of Dangerous Ideas - Annie Wylie went to celebrate (another) 21st birthday: Drum Media hits the big anniversary

Episode 31: September 16-19, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:43:24 +0000

This week, we welcome the initiatives that inspire the SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL; as well as examine the repercussions of inaccurate reports in the media and catch up with head of Screen Studies at the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) plus The Wire current affairs show managed to speak with editor of Daily News Egypt, who was in the country

Episode 30: September 9-12, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 21:38:36 +0000

It was a week where no news actually did see the heat off the media for a little while, and yet, Team Fourth Estate plunders on... On the show, as well as catching up with charming old mates of musical media, WIKIFREAKS, with their track, "Julian Assange", we also looked at: - The proposal to merge SBS with the National Indigenous Television Service (NITV) to create a stronger and easily accessible digital content channel, as DYLAN BARBER reported - Annie Wylie climbed aboard the new wave being enjoyed by radio in the world of online broadcasting, why even community radio stations are the conformist by comparison! - The film biz: is there really any chance to screen your work to an audience beyond a youtube upload? we get the insider's view on just how tough it is to market yourself locally..

Episode 29: SEPTEMBER 2-5, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 02:13:19 +0000

Today, Bob Brown speaks exclusively to The Fourth Estate about a government-led media inquiry after making numerous call-outs in the public sphere prompting this action. We also talk to Screen Australia about online convergence and local content quotas And we meet the latest "It" man in the New York literary scene, Jon Jon Goulian comes into the studios for a chat after a stint at the Melbourne Writers Festival

Episode 28: August 26-29, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 03:11:38 +0000

Showcasing this week within the vault of issues plaguing the media: - A monumental move by UN saw the publishing of General Comment 31, amending its Universal Declaration of Human Rights to address free speech and new media covered in Article 19 - Battle of the sexes waging war online: 90% of Wikipedia contributors proven to be male - Why the Australian government needs to fund media initiatives, according to one media critic - How local actors need to travel abroad to make it, and even stay employed as an actor

Episode 27: August 19-22, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 04:08:39 +0000

A mixed bag of stories to make you stop to reconsider such as: - How powerful your online presence can be and the potential legal repercussions that can come from it - When you last visited a bookseller - How you could have potentially been missing the hottest calendar event that tops the list for things to do Australia and Pacific wide Another can of worms opening from within the twittersphere; concerns over whether social media postings can be held in contempt of court: a legal challenge for mainstream media NEWSSTAND is a new online discussion forum established to acknowledge the unravelling of News Corporation in light of revelations of the phone hacking scandal We mark the debut of NATIONAL BOOKSHOP DAY and check out the festivities taking place on the day (AUGUST 20) And celebrate the revival of fringe festival, This is not Art (TINA), due to overwhelming support from the general public and a crowd-funding incentive.

Episode 26: August 12-15, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 22:06:49 +0000

This week, the show looks at the role of online media in the wake of London's horrific riots: there are many arguments citing its presence as both good and evil. Plus we get through the whizz-bang new technologies adapted to the cinema-going experience Wendy Collis spoke to Claire Marshall: an ex-pat now in London Dylan Barber probed Steve Ahern for his thoughts on the Fairfax Radio group And Annie Wylie caught up with Sydney Uni's, Dr. Bruce Isaacs.

Episode 25: August 5, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:09:43 +0000

On this week's program: Mig Caldwell looked into the necessity of the media in reporting the taking of one's own life, with the release of refined guidelines for journalists reporting on suicide, issued by the Australian Press Council. Nathan Coates interviewed two journalists that managed to defy the odds and access entry within Villawood detention centre to report on the suicide of a detainee. Mig Caldwell spoke to Ellie Rennie, an Associate Professor from Swinburne University who took part in researching the access to internet technologies in Australia's most remote outstations. And Dylan Barber looks at the right to remain anonymous when publishing comments online.

Episode 24: July 29 - August 1, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:42:08 +0000

This week, we catch up with Crikey columnist, Bernard Keane, to debate over notions of trust in relation to the media and general public. And, because, apparently, you're worth it the UK Advertising Standards body has ruled against airing commercials produced by cosmetic giant, L'oreal and featuring the celebrity faces of Julia Roberts and Christy Turlington, due to a misleading amount of retouching applied. Should Australia adopt similar rigid standards in advertising? Plus, we explore the latest renewal of hope in the ongoing battle between retailers and online sellers, with the founding of new campaign, Indiebound.

Episode 23: July 22-25, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 10:29:39 +0000

This week, we delve further into the News of the World in the aftermath of Murdoch's public disgrace, PROF. ALAN KNIGHT, takes on the hard issues: from accountability to the reportage of the scandal as offered up by Murdoch's own, Australian newspaper. He also confronts CAROLINE OVERINGTON over her op-ed pieces.. And PLAY SCHOOL hits middle age, with the popular ABC local production celebrating its 45th anniversary, DARCE CASSIDY a spokesperson for FRIENDS OF THE ABC weighs in on the quality of Aunty and local TV. Should tax-payers cough up for the new ad campaign about carbon tax? We investigate...

Episode 22 - July 15-18, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 10:18:08 +0000

As the News of the World phone hacking scandal deepens, NATHAN COATES spoke about whether the role of our AUSTRALIAN PRESS COUNCIL needs to have more impact on media accountability. MIG CALDWELL played around with the short story performance group, PENGUINS PLAY ROUGH, on the debut of the released of their selected published short stories, available in hard copy and on the hard drive... Will current laws allow for local acting talent to be scoped out further afield? And is it a case of nerves, or something more serious? MIG CALDWELL spoke to the founder of a new study, suggesting the existence of musician performance anxiety is all too real...

Episode 21: JULY 8-11, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:52:25 +0000

This week, the news was hot off the press with new reports, speculation and sensation updated almost hourly regarding the hacking scandal seeing Murdoch tabloid, NEWS OF THE WORLD, halting the printing press after more than a century... Also grassroots social advocates/anarchists GETUP! found itself muffled by commercial TV in an effort to exploit the dealings done by major retailer Harvey Norman. Nathan Coates got the special guided tour of the 2011 WORLD PRESS PHOTOGRAPHY PRESS currently on exhibit in Sydney, which this year is contrasted against some of the more casual happy snaps documented at FAIRFAX HQ. Annie Wylie got to the fundamental pointe in marketing the ballet in an upwardly social way, thanks to extensive research into the impact social media plays in engaging the community with the arts. And Natasha Egan confronts the idea of self regulating advertising aimed at children as a heaped feeding of junk...

Episode 19: June 24-27, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 07:50:08 +0000

This week we boasted more global mileage within the space of half an hour, than all the major airlines combined could clock up in a week! From the Central American nation of Honduras, that is suffering under a military regime that disposes of independent, opposing media - including three community radio stations - Mig Caldwell spoke to WARWICK CONE the force behind one of the sole English-speaking reportage programs, LatinRadical broadcast weekly on community broadcaster, NIM-FM, who offers some confronting fatality and abduction rates for journalists in the past 18 moonths within the nation. And speaking of the community broadcast sector at large, Mig Caldwell went to find out whether a true sense of religious community an exist within a media group, following news from ACMA that it would not renew broadcasting licence granted to Melbourne community radio station for Jews, LION-FM, and she spoke to community TV show THE SHTICK shown on Melbourne's Channel 31. Also, Nathan Coates went out and about for personal grievances and professional opinion about the recent bout of hacking attacks, steadily reported to be more and more sophisticated

Episode 18: June 17-10, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:04:09 +0000

This week, on THE FOURTH ESTATE, we peruse over the future for bookshops; the vulnerability of journalists; atheism and good, old-fashioned quality radio features... - Gleebooks co-owner weighs in on the debate surrounding the future of Australian book retailers in light of news that some 500 staff across the country were cut from Angus and Robertson chains. - The Committee to Protect Journalists' CPJ offer up some rather confronting statistics that are left unreported that is the number of journalists that fall victim to sex crimes whilst on the beat. - We explore the god-given right to advertise atheism, as is the current billboard campaign advocating the right to declare your belief system (or lack thereof) on the Census. - Light is shed about "In the Dark": a communal project in audio appreciation that draws from an old-school appreciation of radio as evocative story-teller.

Episode 17: June 10-13, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:15:44 +0000

Mig Caldwell did temporarily leave the building. But she made sure she left it, in the capable hands of ANNAMARIE REYES- known as ‘AM’ or ‘Yo-teach’ at the station. Joined by LEEANNE TORPEY and ANNIE WYLIE, they got their brains dirty with the stories: PAYWALL system for newspapers – under the “freemium” model - The Australian, Telegraph and Herald Sun indepth coverage is now for sale online. Director of Ideas Channel MIKE MINEHAN and CHOICE magazine Spokesperson INGRID JUST speaks out. Philippines journalists continue to receive death threats in the course of their work making the country one of the most dangerous spot for media workers. The International Federation of Journalists of the Asia Pacific Cameron Durnsford Project Co-ordinator says a safety net for journalists needs to be taken seriously. And with our socially networked life – facebook’s role is once again pulled apart. The Beer Baron’s JED CLARKE, using FB, have been catering for the demand for alcohol sales after hours, in the guise of purchase as “gifts” putting him in hot water with the alcohol state authority. Meanwhile Intellectual property Queensland University of Technology expert PETER BLACK, says FB new face recognition tool identifying people’s names should’ve been an opt- in option. 500 million users where automatically put on the tool’s database, creating an uproar from all sectors of the facebooking hemisphere. Phew, we can rest on our short laurels – because Mig will be back in the next episode of the Fourth Estate!

Episode 16: 3-6 June, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:10:49 +0000

Did anyone mention Carbon Cate or Categate in the past few minutes? Well you won’t for at least the next half hour here on the fourth estate A new safe sex campaign in Queensland, rip and roll was removed from bus stops leading to thousands protesting via facebook and twitter within hours, reversing the decision and resurrecting this important public health message And does your say ever get spruiked on q and a? meet the brazen young team of volunteers busily wooing fraser whilst attempting to run for a seat in every federal election Annie Wylie found that whilst newspapers and television focused on a national vision of the country, radio was focused more on unique communities and their culture. Plus the laptop giveaway incentive

Episode 15: 27-30 May, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:03:35 +0000

Today the show marks its debut on the community digital spectrum as declared by Marie Bashir in Sydney’s Darling Harbor, the future of broadcasting is finally here and available to the community sector. And offer up a bit of colour to an arguably bland anglo cinema world Plus we host up an on-air mass group therapy session for victims of telco abuse, and believe me, you’re not alone out there And face off in the ring between Bob Brown and media bias …so it’s up and ready to rumble here on the fourth estate…

Episode 14: 20-23 May, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Tue, 24 May 2011 16:54:24 +0000

Mig Caldwell takes an unprecedented hiatus, entrusting the show to Annamarie Reyes..excuse the sketchy deets..

Episode 13: March 13-16, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Tue, 24 May 2011 16:47:15 +0000

It was the show that tried to address some post-budget blues, that generally saw Wayne Swan's financial plan received like a lead balloon. So the show this week did indulge in some obligatory money talk: both in terms of the dated revenue policies enacted back in 1969 which came with the last serious copyright law amendment; seeing commercial radio in the country pay a minimal 1% of revenue allocated to music airplay, as well as the next Big Thing from the bag of tricks belonging to Senator Stephen Conroy. Plus Annie Wylie meets the latest in grassroots online campaigners:the resulting site started up by a group of socially conscious late teens and early twenties guys, yopinion shouldn't just be dismissed as get up in their pyjamas... And Ellie Schneider takes us down a nostalgic path for History Week down South Australia way, in a newer and fresher way thanks to ABC radio.

Episode 12: May 6-9, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Tue, 10 May 2011 12:01:58 +0000

This week, we have a bit of a chuckle over the crucial reportage mistake that came out of the thousands of reports that proceeded the killing of Osama bin Laden...on a more serious note, we looked at: - Sub-editors reach sub-zero at Fairfax: Newly appointed CEO of the extensive Fairfax Media group is not making any friends with the announcement to cut sub-editorial positions within the newspapers, outsourcing to AAP subsidiary, Pagemasters - National Privacy Awareness Week, passed relatively unceremoniously and yet this is one of the landmark periods where privacy and maintaining it - particularly online - is of concern to almost all Australians, so how much protection can be assured? - Osama bin Laden: The Brand - in the wake of the US slaying of al Qaeda leader, bin Laden, may in turn evoke an almost mythological status that will grant his status of legend, or martyr, but maybe not... - World Vision Radio: One of the more esteemed media broadcasts, the radio station, founded around the charity, is in peril of being pulled off the air due to funding problems.

Episode 11: April 29-May 2

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Mon, 02 May 2011 04:19:38 +0000

This week on The Fourth Estate, Mig Caldwell is joined by Ellie Schneider and Nathan Coates - two invaluable team members who contribute to the show - to bring you: - The NT Mojo project: AKA Northern Territory Mobile Journalists: a government funded collaboration between IVO BURUM of BURUM MEDIA and the Territory's Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education (BIITE) that saw a handful of locals armed with an iPhone and some basic reportage skills to report on the real issues occurring within their communities - The citizen journalist and conflict zone reporting: is there enough protection: Nathan Coates spoke to TOM MORTON of the Australian Centre for Independent Journalism (ACIJ) about the recent death of citizen journalist, MOHAMMAD NABBOUS in Libya, and why it didn't make the tally of fatalities as published by the Committee to Protect Journalists' (CPJ) - X-Ratings for theatre? There have been calls to implement a classification system within the performing arts world, as the new touring production of BERTOLD BRECHT'S, BAAL, features controversial scenes some have deemed unsuitable for a mainstream audience. - Social media and citizenship A poll conducted by the Australian National University (ANU) aimed to qualify our use of social media such as twitter and facebook and the general values attributed to the Web 2.0 era of online interaction.

Episode 10: Good Friday-ANZAC Day

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 21:41:23 +0000

SAVE NRN: National Radio News enjoys a large national audience of paid subscribers, and yet the community broadcaster's future is in doubt...Enter former cadet, Luke Dufficy who started up a simple yet effective campaign plea that has driven a massive surge in support via facebook... SAVE THE MIND: The Federal Government's taking a new action in deterring people to take up the smoking habit by changing all the packaging to a plain and off-putting shade of olive green... SAVE THE EARTH: By getting camcorder creative with the latest in the long lineup of film competitions...you could be screened at the Cannes Film Festival! SAVE THE PUNCHLINE! The First in all Commandments of film-review: don't give away the ending!...

Episode 9: April 15-18, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 07:26:16 +0000

This week on the show, The Fourth Estate team take no prisoners in terms of investigation: from the armed forces to Greenpeace, the public sphere is nicely well-rounded... Shant Fabricatorian offers up the scoop on the News Corporation tabloid, News of the World, amidst the controversy that arose after revealing the paper's employees were hacking into the phone accounts of public figures. He spoke to- amongst others - former NOTW editor, JAMES ANSLOW. In light of the public airing of Defense Force dirty laundry online, there have been concerns surrounding the use of social media and the policies, or lack thereof, put in place regulating one of the most tightly controlled regimes. But, as Nathan Coates proposed, if the US have a set of practices in place, why can't Australia? It must be a hard task, but international environmental lobbyist, GREENPEACE, generally stand out in producing clever and insightful campaigns that manage to incorporate parody of popular culture phenomena as well as driving home a serious message. However, the latest campaign efforts from GREENPEACE AUSTRALIA, attacking one of the major four banks on their coal trading policies, has been met with a mixed response. And finally, LIFELINE, is trialling an online format of its telephone counselling services, designed to appeal to the younger, tech-savvier generation as well as addressing the growing problem of teen suicide rates. Ellie Schneider looked at some of the surrounding issues that may arise.

Episode 8: April 8-11, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:27:24 +0000

This week on The Fourth Estate, we firstly offered up the two sides of a current case being tried before the courts that has left the public divided: Andrew Bolt faces charges of racial hatred from comments published in the past about Aboriginal race. Plus, we meet a man on a mission, as GARI SULLIVAN launches a new approach to uniting the citizen journalism community at large as well as ensuring them a tidy profit. The school holiday event that has sparked concerns over the message being promoted in the minds of our young and impressionable teens, with a music festival promoting controversial artists to headline the Forever Young under-age event in Melbourne. And offering up a 360 perspective on the media and marketing worlds: the conference organised by internet forums as posted on the mumbrella website is coming soon to a convention centre near you, as the two day event aims to address the lifespan (or death) of both television and newspapers; as well as the four current generational groups.

Episode 7: April 1-4, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 10:57:26 +0000

In the dawning of a new State government for New South Wales following the recent election, The Fourth Estate looked at the celebrated development introduced for the disabled or absentee voters - "the eVote - and why it won't necessarily be in place for the next Federal election according to some experts... Plus, with legal change evolving for the media, we revisit the age-old copyright debacle, but this time on a more global and dominant scale: Google is in negotiations to buy off the rights of every book published in the US, and - in time - the world to launch the digitised freeflow of information: GoogleBooks...but would this only result in a monopoly market position in cyberspace for the global search engine giant and it corporations? We also explain if there is any truth to the notions behind addictive online gaming.. Postmodern design theorist and founding father, JONATHAN BARNBROOK, of the UK, most revered for his anti-corporate graphic logos associated with his work at ADBUSTERS recently visited Australia and hosted a design workshop for University of Technology's Visual Communications students. The resulting efforts in design-focussed message of political conscience will be exhibited at the public gallery showing over the coming week.

Episode 6: March 25-28, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 10:36:13 +0000

This week, the show was set to "global roaming" after a week of local media reports echoing that of a schoolyard tussle...from the ABC's shock homophobic tweet running across the Q and A screens recently, to the major networks battling it out for the rights to a quadrangle fight between two schoolboys that ultimately went viral. So, in an effort to avoid this "Lord of the Flies" media mentality, and leaving NSW State politics to the real diehards, here's what we showcased: #1: To print or not to print? Shevonne Hunt A recent decision by German publication, Der Spiegel, to publish some graphic images depicting a "kill squad" posing alongside their dead victims was under fire in terms of the need to publish such horrifying images. #2: National Public Radio under threat for alleged bias - John Gibb Like our own ABC, the US public broadcaster, NPR, is in danger of having funds cut, after a very public airing of opinions by NPR's management that were decidedly anti-Tea Party. With an alleged left-wing bias dogging the station for many years, this may be the final straw, if the Republicans have their way. #3: More calls to legally enforce advertising standards - Ellie Schneider Closer to home, there have been calls - and subsequent debates - over whether a rating system should be applied to public billboards advertising, following calls to take down an outdoor ad promoting the event, Sexpo. Lobbyists believe that the self-regulatory code of standards is ineffective as it stands and doesn't serve in the interests of community standards #4: Google not "feeling lucky" in China - Brit-Helen Johansen Google is claiming that the Chinese government is blocking the Chinese people’s access to the Gmail service, believed to be part of a crackdown by the Chinese regime in response to online calls for a so called “Jasmine Revolution”.

Episode 5: March 18-21

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 13:04:56 +0000

#1:Making facebook democracy work: both in theory and practice Jordanian refugee, SOHAIL DAHDAL, has come a long way since his protesting days over 20 years ago as a student in his hometown. Now, in an effort to further understand, and tap into the powers of democracy harnessed by social networks as twitter and facebook. He is undertaking a doctoral thesis as well as producing online documentaries that attempt to bridge the gap between culture and nationality. #2:Blowing the lid on the (amended) law As promised, this week, the show offered up the perspective of whistleblowers or informants - who, ultimately, put themselves on the line - following the welcomed new amendments to the Evidence Act, as MIG CALDWELL spoke to PROF. BRIAN MARTIN from the University of Wollongong as well as long-suffering whistleblower advocate and VP of the national body. #3: Social networking to die for The first of its kind: wrappingup.com is a new website aimed at easing the community towards the final final stages of life, and specifically, how to prepare for death as JOHN GIBB found out from talking to co-founders DELLA CHURCHILL and KELLY CHAPMAN. #4: Home and hosed off for Aussie music down under: Although striking gold on the OS side of the music market, local bands get pushed aside by the likes of LADY GAGA when it comes to commercial radio airplay, as ELISE SCOTT discovered recently, speaking to the music editor of the Australian edition of international magazine sensation, Time Out: ANDREW P. STREET

Episode 4: 11 March, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 22:19:37 +0000

Another grande week ,still giddy from the post-feminist content to emerge from the 100th annual International Women's Day, as well as new revelations, plus old junk and taking the NBN out bush.. #1: New terms for journalism; news media means new terms for whistleblower and shield protection laws - MIG CALDWELL Finally, The Fourth Estate can celebrate a landmark achievement in media law, with Greens Senator, Scott Ludlam, ensuring the passing of the Evidence Amendment (Journalists' Privilege) Act, 2010. The amendment called for a re-defining of both the notion of who a journalist is and in turn, what news media might be, to revive public interest ideals by enabling informants to remain anonymous without seeing a journalist in contempt of court. STILGHERRIAN spoke to Mig Caldwell over the implications. #2: Women don't talkback - ANNAMARIE REYES The shock jock appeal has never really left the mindset of radio listeners: such as the current lineup of programming which presents many talkback shows, inviting and encouraging listeners to spar on-air with its presenters. But there won't be any women claiming this title any time soon, according to seasoned radio broadcasters, ANGELA CATTERNS and JULIE MCCROSSIN, who recall some of their own personal career battles in being a woman on the airwaves. #3: KFC and Cricket declared too much junk in the trunk - JOHN GIBB Recently an ongoing investigation has been running to expose the potential harm that comes from celebrities endorsing unhealthy lifestyle habits: such as the longrunning sponsorship deal fast food giant KFC has maintained with Cricket Australia. The concern being, according to nutritionist, KAYE MEHTA, the impact that this type of commercial arrangement has on the health of children in a time of rapidly rising obesity statistics. #4: Will the NBN backfire in the bush? CATHERINE ZENGERER A recent survey conducted amongst 1040 residents in regional and rural Australia has reported that the majority are unwilling to foot the costs in spite of acknowledging the potential the national broadband network had in the bettering of their livelihoods. SIMON VAN WYK, survey director, talks us through some of the confusions felt by our rural dwellers.

Episode 3: March 4-7 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 09:05:13 +0000

This week, we fling the metaphorical bra into the fire, in celebration of the International Women's Day centenary, which makes its annual mark this Tuesday, March 8. Plus.. #1: Has the Australian media exploited the sufferers surviving in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake? Well the online forums were running red hot after the publishing of a piece on the ABC drum by its editor, Jonathan Green, that implied the media has been circling over New Zealand and those left in the wake of the Christchurch disaster like vultures. Adding her own two cents was phd student, TAMMI JONAS, which was recently published in Crikey and she spoke to MIG CALDWELL #2: $500 to spam a journo Recently it was discovered that a list of gaming journalists' details were available to purchase for $500, but what would this mean for potential spammers? JOHN GIBB spoke to ACMA's Spam department to find out the rights of these journalists (if any) #3: Churnalism A new website launched in the UK to try and combat the practice of cutting and pasting press releases into news articles without background checking or independent research on behalf of the journalist. As an experiment, the Media Standards Trust - responsible for the site, churnalism.com - released press material of a false nature and the results are surprising, if not a little depressing. MIG CALDWELL spoke to head of Public Communications at UTS, JIM MACNAMARA. #4: Feminism: the brand MIG CALDWELL caught up with feminist and convenor of regular seminars, Cherchez la femme: KAREN PICKERING about why feminism is so undesirable as a public stance

Episode 2: February 25-28, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 18:53:30 +0000

So early into the season and yet already, I was struck down with illness, so my apologies for the rather shortened version to mark the second show... #1: Censorship in expression? Oz Mag's, Jim Anderson, has had a brilliant – if not controversial - career as an artist and satirist. Since the Sixties, he has been challenging sexual censorship and homosexual prejudice through his art, writing and the underground press as Angela Aldred discovered, ahead of the run of his exhibit showing at the university of Sydney. #2: Celebrity over-hype? Back in the day, it was the Beastie Boys who said you had to fight for your right to party, and all these years later the legacy lives on in media businessman ANDREW WK. With stakes in a record label and a television production company as well as hosting TV shows such as “Ask Andrew WK” and the current kiddie hit, “Destroy build destroy” and here recently to psyche Australians up for the year which includes an impending album release and a book deal denoting his time as a pseudo-evangelist, Mig Caldwell wondered whether he slept soundly at night #3: The Australian digital radio reception* With reported figures showing a welcome surge in the national interest surrounding digital radio, Steve Ahern spoke to Mig Caldwell about whether it could in fact, spell out its ultimate demise, as was the suggestion from an op-ed piece coming out of the UK. *this story previously aired in 2010

Episode 1: 18 February, 2011

fourthestate@2ser.com (Mig Caldwell) — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 06:19:04 +0000

Hi there and welcome back for another year here on the fourth estate: the radio program airing on Community Radio Network (CRN) and Sydney's Radio 2ser, that forces journalism under dissection and PR to be approached with caution. My name is Mig Caldwell and I’ll be acting as producer over the course of the year and already our public sphere is shifting monumentally. Over the next year, we hope to bring to you every week something that is of significance to you that you didn’t previously know over the course of half an hour… For the 2011 debut: #1: The media and Egypt - Mig Caldwell There has been reported speculation over whether an earlier wikileaks document that exposed corruption within the Tunisian presidential family was a catalyst in the lead up to the events in Egypt. Concerns have also been expressed over the handling of the protest from western media bodies that allegedly adopted an unofficial bias reflective of US foreign policy. Speaking with ANTONY LOWENSTEIN, the issues surrounding the media's role during the lead-up and throughout the protests in Egypt and the Middle East: both East and West #2: The social state of the State- Mig Caldwell If the government does social media but no one cares, did it really happen? Such is the question posed in a recent article by MARK DRAPEU entitled, Government Social Media: Five Questions for 2011. With a doubtful outlook approaching the NSW government come State election time, it seems that frontrunner KRISTINA KENEALLY, is reflective of her chances via her attempts to capture media attention. With a specific look at the new role and importnace of social networking, Mig spoke to Bang the Table's MATTHEW CROZIER #3 - All-a-twitter on privacy - Shevonne Hunt Recent demands to access details of twitter account holders associated with wikileaks has caused an uproar over rights to privacy on Twitter, as Shevonne Hunt reports #4 - Wikifreak-out - Angela Aldred Assange and wikileaks have created quite a stir in the past year, after allegations of assult and his assests being frozen, many wished to show their solidarity. Grassroots musical duo Wikifreaks, have headed to record in an effort to broadcast their support for Julian. They hope to create a dialoge about Wikileaks through the power of their satirical Pop tunes...