Best Centre For Advancing Journalism Podcasts (2024)

1
A Fortnight of Student Protest 12:27

2h ago12:27

12:27

Coming up to its third week, the Gaza solidarity camp at the University of Melbourne is growing — It’s almost quadrupled to at least ninety tents. But the encampment is coming under increasing pressure. Last Thursday, pro-Israel demonstrators marched across campus, culminating in a face off with pro-Palestine students amid a heavy police presence. …

1
S3E11: S03E11: Kirsti Melville on Working with Sound 24:42

5h ago24:42

24:42

“The minute I walk into that space, I turn my audio ears on.” ABC broadcaster Kirsti Melville is an award-winning radio documentary maker, who always starts planning for an audio feature by thinking about sound. Melville describes how she triages the audio in any recording environment, and how she works with sound to create immersive and impactful …

1
Special Report: The Gaza Solidarity Encampment 15:18

5d ago15:18

15:18

On ANZAC Day last week, protesters set up camp at the University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus. Since then, the “Gaza solidarity encampment” has been the epicentre of several peaceful demonstrations attracting hundreds of participants. On Monday, more than 300 protesters marched on campus demanding the university to cut ties with weapons manufact…

1
S3E10: S03E10: Tamara Oudyn on Voice in Audio Journalism 25:44

6d ago25:44

25:44

“Your voice is such a personal quality…It’s like your own aural fingerprint.” As an ABC voice coach and journalist, Tamara Oudyn is shaping the diverse voices of the national broadcaster. Here she describes the lessons she teaches cadets, including the role of the 3ps - pitch, pace and pausing - in broadcasting. Her emphasis is on training young jo…

1
Tram Tales: The Show Must Go On 10:30

11d ago10:30

10:30

I’m Thomas Phillips Melbourne’s status as Australia's live music capital is under threat. Since the start of the pandemic, one third of small and mid-sized venues nation-wide have closed their doors for good. This week we’re bringing you stories about how performers along the number 19 tramline are getting by. It's the third episode of Tram Tales. …

1
S3E9: S0309: Jo Lauder on Audio Storytelling 25:47

14d ago25:47

25:47

"The thing that I love about audio is that...it's really intimate." ABC journalist Jo Lauder says audio can be really effective in transporting the listener to a particular time and place. She explains how she goes about planning different types of audio pieces, whether for Triple J's Hack or long-form narrative podcasts like Saving the Franklin. S…

1
Tram Tales: Odd Jobs 14:28

17d ago14:28

14:28

Ask a group of teenagers about their dream jobs and you’ll likely hear a familiar list: doctor, lawyer, architect, psychologist... According to an OECD survey, these are some of the most desired jobs among students worldwide. But what about all the jobs they don’t even know exist? This week, we’re bringing you stories from off the beaten career pat…

1
S3E8: S03E08: Daniel Browning on Objectivity in Journalism 22:57

21d ago22:57

22:57

“Who measures objectivity? Who judges objectivity?” Objectivity is traditionally seen as a cardinal tenet of journalism, but Daniel Browning's long experience in Australian newsrooms has left him questioning whether objectivity is possible, or even beneficial. The Bundjalung and Kullili man, who leads the ABC's Indigenous Radio unit, says First Nat…

1
Tram Tales: Feeling the Crunch 14:30

24d ago14:30

14:30

The number 19 tramline is Melbourne’s backbone, taking passengers all the way from Coburg north to Flinders Street Station. Our new series, Tram Tales, shares the stories and struggles of people who, live, work, and travel along this central artery. For our first episode, we're focusing on an issue that’s top of mind for most Australians — the cost…

1
S3E7: S03E07: Konrad Marshall on the Craft of Feature Writing 25:42

28d ago25:42

25:42

“Always get the name of the dog, the brand of the beer, and the title of the song that was playing as the car crashed off the road.” This is one writing commandment that the award-winning writer for Good Weekend Konrad Marshall keeps top of mind, as told to him by Pulitzer Prize-winner Tom French. For Marshall, that attention to detail is one trade…

1
Not Natural: Belonging 14:10

1M ago14:10

14:10

In the days of hunter-gatherers, social exclusion meant certain death. Humans have evolved with a primal need for belonging — and we still suppress our differences so we can fit in. But what happens when we buck this trend? This week, we’re bringing you stories about embracing our differences. It’s the sixth episode of Not Natural, a series about t…

1
Hold my popcorn: Diplomatic war in the Pacific Theatre 36:45

1M ago36:45

36:45

China’s largesse in the Pacific is nothing if not visible. From mobile phone towers to gleaming stadiums and government buildings, Beijing’s splashing out on those it sees as choosing “the right side of history.” In this episode, we explore Taiwan’s future in the Pacific as it is deserted by its former diplomatic allies, lured by Beijing’s goodies.…

1
S3E6: S03E06: Stephanie Convery on Feature Stories 26:16

1M ago26:16

26:16

“Focus on the intimate and particular.” When it comes to feature writing, Stephanie Convery says it is often the small details that count. Her work with Guardian Australia involves shining a light on inequality, and frequently focuses on people’s personal circumstances. She likens features to creative writing in the need to draw on literary devices…

1
Not Natural: Disrupting Decline 16:05

2M ago16:05

16:05

According to an old urban myth, a frog suddenly dropped in boiling water will instantly leap out to safety. But if the water is tepid and gradually heated, the oblivious frog will slowly boil to death. This process is a metaphor for human psychology — especially when it comes to ecological decline. Over time, gradual changes can make unprecedented …

1
S3E5: S03E05: Laura Murphy-Oates on Interviewing 24:02

2M ago24:02

24:02

“You can’t go in with no idea of what you might hope to get out of it, but you have to be open to what happens in the interview.” As former host of Guardian Australia’s Full Story podcast, Laura Murphy-Oates speaks to people for a living. Here she outlines her rules for interviewing, including the pre-interview research process and how to structure…

1
Not Natural: Health Hacks 14:11

2M ago14:11

14:11

Every day, our brains take cognitive shortcuts. Our limited time and attention make it easy to fall back on familiar biases. Among the most deeply ingrained is the assumption that “natural” always means “healthier”. This week, we’re interrogating this idea with stories about “natural” and synthetic remedies. It’s the fourth episode of Not Natural, …

1
S3E4: S03E04: Saffron Howden on Writing News Stories 24:40

2M ago24:40

24:40

"If you haven't grabbed the readers' attention within the first 10-12 words, you lose them." Saffron Howden's job is training journalists how to write news for Australian Community Media. She sees news journalists as storytellers dealing in facts, who need to always be thinking about their audience. In this episode, she offers tips on the craft of …

1
Not Natural: Digital Dependency 14:46

2M ago14:46

14:46

In the throes of addiction, people can enter a time warp. The clock seemingly stops when cravings are met and dopamine floods the brain. But I’m not talking about drugs. I’m talking about social media. Heavy users can squander hours per day on TikTok binges. And the App’s developers see this as a feature, not a flaw. This week, we’re bringing you s…

1
Not Natural: Skin Deep 14:33

2M ago14:33

14:33

Social media feeds can make Botox and fillers seem as commonplace as getting a haircut. On TikTok alone, the plastic surgery hashtag has 22 billion views. Is this newfound acceptance democratising beauty, or making beauty obligatory? And who gets to decide what counts as beautiful? This week, we’re binging you stories about our increasingly narrow …

1
S3E3: S03E03: Nick McKenzie on Ethics and Defamation 24:04

2M ago24:04

24:04

"It's about fairness in the search for the truth, and fairness in publishing our stories." The Age's Nick McKenzie has put fairness at the centre of his journalistic identity. It's led him to break some of the nation's biggest stories, winning him 16 Walkleys, but also has meant he's been sued for defamation on multiple occasions. In this episode, …

1
S3E2: S03E02: Finding Interviewees with Julia Bergin 25:14

2M ago25:14

25:14

"Every story that you do, you need to talk to people." Julia Bergin's journalistic career has taken her as far afield as Japan and the Northern Territory, meaning she's had to work at building up her contact book time and time again. In this episode, she talks about all that goes into finding the right interviewees for a story. "It's broadening thi…

1
Not Natural: God Mode 15:26

3M ago15:26

15:26

There’s this phrase God Mode that was born out of the gaming world. It refers to a notorious cheat code in the 1993 shooter game, Doom. Once activated, a player becomes invincible and vanquishes opponents with ease. Nowadays, God mode is a slang term for achieving superhuman feats in real life, and in our era of artificial intelligence and cybernet…

1
S3E1: S03E01: Finding a News Story with Angus Thomson 23:20

3M ago23:20

23:20

“You have to learn by doing, and you will only get better with practice.” Angus Thomson started with Sydney Morning Herald as a cadet in 2022, and is currently their health reporter. In this episode he explains how he goes about finding news stories, reflecting on his experience as a student at The University of Melbourne and as a professional jour…

1
The Feminists have Stood Up: Gender and Comedy in China 45:42

3M ago45:42

45:42

Stand-up comedy looked set to be the next big thing on China’s entertainment scene, with shows like Roast Convention drawing billions of views and comics scoring lucrative commercial endorsements. But comedy now finds itself in retreat. A new wave of feminist comics is struggling with attacks from online trolls and a disapproving state. To ask whet…

1
Full time children or half dead: China’s Gen Z goes to ground 40:36

5M ago40:36

40:36

Every generation in modern China has been richer and more ambitious than the one before—until Gen Z. With youth unemployment so high that the government has simply stopped reporting the figures, many are opting to lie flat, slump down dead, or even become full-time children. The Party frets that despite the best efforts of the propaganda organs to …

1
Subclass 500: Going back to normal 13:33

5M ago13:33

13:33

Since July, the cost of living crisis has gotten a whole lot worse for international students. Thanks to the reinstatement of pre-pandemic work restrictions, their maximum working hours have been limited to 24 hours per week. Experts call it a return to "normal", but those facing financial peril say otherwise. This week, Wuxi Fan talks to three stu…

1
Subclass 500: Caged by rules 16:42

5M ago16:42

16:42

Rules have been following us from the moment we were born. Children follow the rules set by parents, students follow the rules set by schools, workers follow the rules set by companies, and citizens follow the laws set by governments. But what happens when international students face rules in different countries and cultures? This week on Subclass …

1
Subclass 500: Can love last long distance? 15:09

6M ago15:09

15:09

This episode explores long-distance relationships for international students. Part one is about the problems faced by a couple who are dating long distance. The second part introduces the phenomenon of life partners based on the story of a Melbourne-based Chinese student's relationship. Credits: Series Producer: Yuxuan Liu Senior Producer: Songyu W…

1
Subclass 500: Can I find a future in Australia? 14:48

6M ago14:48

14:48

The number of international students in Australia is rapidly increasing, and some of them want to stay here to work and live. But they will face various difficulties and challenges. They have all put in a lot of effort. However, their future is still uncertain. The first interviewee, Michael Zhao, studies engineering and will graduate at the end of…

1
Bombard the Past: Exhuming the Cultural Revolution 50:04

6M ago50:04

50:04

The exponential trauma produced by the Cultural Revolution is barely mentioned in China, yet has been foundational to a generation. Now the Communist Party is using the experience of its leader Xi Jinping as one of the 17 million young people sent down to the countryside to reframe the movement as showcasing personal sacrifice in the interests of n…

1
Subclass 500: Navigating Cultures 14:58

6M ago14:58

14:58

When international students first set foot in Melbourne, they often feel alienated due to the absence of a sense of home and may feel apprehensive due to the cultural differences. They yearn for resonance and familiarity. In this episode, two Chinese students join the university's Chinese martial arts club, while another student from China blends C…

1
Subclass 500: Breaking the Language Barrier 11:58

7M ago11:58

11:58

In this episode of Subclass 500, Elliot Rodriguez speaks with fellow international students about struggles with language barriers. At the University of Melbourne professors are strict about translation rules for assignments, making it even harder for some students to do their assessments. However, the language barrier doesn't just affect non-nativ…

1
Introducing Subclass 500: Hidden Stories of International Students 1:37

7M ago1:37

1:37

From the rule changes that make hard to earn a living, to the challenges of a long-distance relationship, from the freedoms of being a woman in Australia, to the cage made by paperwork designed to keep you out, all while learning to speak in a new language. These are some of challenges faced by international students at the University of Melbourne,…

1
Regional Reporting: Restoring Waterways 13:07

7M ago13:07

13:07

For the first time in four years, Australia is facing an El Nino — a weather pattern that can cause extreme heat. These increased temperatures would make Bendigo especially vulnerable to droughts. But an adaptation plan to restore the region’s waterways will provide a much-needed safeguard. Today, we’re bringing you an interview with journalist Sas…

1
Special Report: The Voice to Parliament 10:32

7M ago10:32

10:32

This weekend, millions of Australians will vote on whether to enshrine an Indigenous voice to Parliament in the constitution. For most young Australians, it will be their first ever referendum. It’s also the first to take place in the era of social media — and misinformation has been rife. Today, we’re taking a break from our Regional Reporting ser…

1
Regional Reporting: Meltdown 8:33

7M ago8:33

8:33

Fires and droughts are only the flashpoints of rising temperatures. Heat-induced health issues, though less conspicuous, are also a risk. Bendigo’s socio-economic landscape makes it especially vulnerable to this creeping problem, and its residents are suffering — both physically and mentally. Today, we’re bringing you an interview with CAJ student …

1
The Battle for the Future: The Mission of China's Underground Historians 48:21

7M ago48:21

48:21

Writing history in China has never been easy; China’s first historian, Sima Qian, was forced to choose between execution and castration and imprisonment. He chose the latter in order to finish his life’s work, Records of the Grand Historian. Now China’s keepers of inconvenient truths are put under immense pressure by Xi Jinping’s war on historical …

1
Regional Reporting: The Dingo Debate 8:58

8M ago8:58

8:58

This week, we’re investigating a controversial strategy to control Bendigo’s pests by reintroducing an apex predator — the dingo. It’s a response to Victoria’s growing Kangaroo population, which has increased by approximately one million since 2017. The national icon is decimating crops, causing car accidents, and destroying ecosystems. Hundreds of…

1
Dark Matters: The Unknown 17:58

8M ago17:58

17:58

When we encounter unexpected information, our brains enter what psychologists call “the surprise sequence”. Whether positive or negative, the sequence begins with a state of heightened emotions and extreme curiosity. After this, our points of view shift to make sense of a new reality. Sometimes fundamentally. This week, we’re bringing you three sto…

1
Cat Years in Cat Country: Sci-Fi in China 52:55

8M ago52:55

52:55

Just as satirical writers struggled in Trump's America, China's sci-fi writers are facing a challenge: how do you write in a world where reality is more like science fiction than science fiction itself? Added to that are the perils of popularity, with everyone from Netflix to the Communist Party embracing Chinese science fiction. To explore China's…

1
Reports From the Rental Crisis 16:41

9M ago16:41

16:41

Back in January, China’s education ministry made a snap decision. Effective immediately, online study at foreign universities was banned. Tens of thousands of students scrambled to secure visas and book flights to Australia in time for semester one. To make matters worse — their new home was in the midst of a rental crisis. This week, we’re bringin…

1
Dark Matters: The Misunderstood 17:06

9M ago17:06

17:06

Blind spots are easy to see in others. It’s much harder to see our own. This discrepancy is called the blind spot bias, and psychologists believe almost all of us suffer from it. This week, we’re bringing you three stories about blind spots and misunderstandings. Stories about biases clouding our judgment and making us blind to nuance. It’s the sec…

1
Dark Matters: The Mind 16:59

9M ago16:59

16:59

When we imagine great mysteries we think of distant galaxies or unexplorable ocean depths. But one of the greatest mysteries is a lot closer to home. It’s in our heads. The human brain is the most complex data processor in the known universe. But we still have very little idea how our own consciousness actually works. This week, we’re bringing you …

1
Gone to ground: China’s rare earths strategy 47:41

9M ago47:41

47:41

Beijing's recent ban on the export of two rare metals represents the latest front in the global battle to control chipmaking technology. Now there are fears China could block the export of rare earths, over which it has a stranglehold. How close are we to that nuclear option? To find out, Louisa and Graeme are joined by Martijn Rasser, a former sen…

1
China’s Best Mate: New Zealand’s Muddled China Ties 39:41

11M ago39:41

39:41

New Zealand is in Beijing's good books, attracting state media praise as setting 'a good example' for other countries in its ties, as Prime Minister Chris Hipkins jets into China. He's said his message is crystal clear: New Zealand is open for business. But critics say the country's policy is muddled and ambiguous, despite Chinese encroachment. Two…

1
Hyperlocal: The University 11:35

11M ago11:35

11:35

Today, we’re bringing you three student-produced stories about a topic close to home — The University of Melbourne itself. Stories about how global issues like the rise of AI are playing out on campus, as well as stories more specific to the university. It’s the third and final episode of Hyperlocal. A series about the big issues impacting small co…

1
Hyperlocal: Traffic 10:47

11M ago10:47

10:47

Today, we’re bringing you three stories about the shortcomings of Melbourne’s roadways and how to fix them. Stories about the life-changing — and even life-saving — potentials of transport engineering. It’s the second episode of Hyperlocal, a series about the big issues impacting small communities in Melbourne. Featuring stories by Timothy Evetts, …

1
China Beyond the Ends of the Earth: Welcome to the Internet 43:32

11M ago43:32

43:32

In the final episode exploring China's Strategic New Frontiers, we are investigating China's growing cyberpower ambitions. On the National Cyber Power index, Beijing is already the world's number two cyberpower, behind only the US. Its cyberdoctrine includes promoting cybersovereignty, constructing internet standards and infrastructure, and playing…

1
Hyperlocal: Community Action 10:40

11M ago10:40

10:40

This week, we’re bringing you three stories about neighbours banding together — either to help each other out or unite against a mutual adversary. It’s the first episode of Hyperlocal, our new series about the big issues impacting small communities in Melbourne. Featuring stories by Filment Ho, Jerome Des Preaux, and Amelia Costigan. See omnystudio…

1
Seven Years with All the Best 25:55

11M ago25:55

25:55

For the last seven years, producers from the podcast All the Best have mentored Melbourne University's audio journalism students. It’s part of an initiative that teaches emerging storytellers the ins and outs of audio production, culminating in a series of student-produced documentaries. Today, we’re bringing you a collection of All the Best’s all-…

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