We Used to be Journos Media parrots US Iran propaganda, ABC chair gets profiled + billionaire buys Warner Bros (and CNN)
Mar 3, 2026
They dissect how Australian outlets framed the US and Israeli strikes on Iran in the first 24–48 hours and trace repeating propaganda patterns. They unpack the $111 billion takeover of Warner Bros Discovery and the risks such consolidation poses for major newsrooms. They examine a profile of the ABC chair for clues about a high-profile legal case. They celebrate wins by independent investigations protecting vulnerable people.
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How Media Framing Repeats Iraq War Playbook
- Australian media rapidly echoed US/Israeli framing of strikes on Iran, reviving Iraq-war style rhetoric about 'liberation' and imminent nuclear threats.
- Jan Fran and Antoinette Lattouf compare Trump/2003 Bush messaging and warn early narrative frames shape public acceptance of military action.
Government Endorsement Without Legal Accountability
- Australia's leadership backed US/Israeli strikes quickly while deferring legal justification to the US, creating a PR line of support without accountability.
- Antoinette highlights press questions about legality and Albanese/Penny Wong's repeated claim that legal explanation is 'a matter for the United States'.
Opinion Pages Set A Hawkish Early Tone
- Major Australian outlets' first 48-hour editorials mostly ranged from cautious to hawkish, with few strongly opposing the strikes.
- Antoinette ran a "what the fucker" meter ranking Crikey and Guardian more measured, AFR and syndicated hawks most extreme.