MediaWatch is an ABC program that casts a critical eye on the Australian media, on a weekly basis. It’s screened four times a week on ABCTV and ABC 2, but episodes are also available for download. MediaWatch is often described as ’smug’ or ‘pedantic’ by the newsmakers it generally targets, but nevertheless plays an important role in reminding the community that news and current affairs is the product of (fallible) media practices and personnel. Watching it is a great way to sharpen up your ‘critical attitude’ to the media.

You can download individual episodes of the show here or paste this link – http://abc.net.au/mediawatch/vodcast/mediawatch_mp4.xml – into your iTunes (or your preferred podcast aggregator).

If you prefer to tune in on TV, then Mediawatch screens On ABC TV Mondays 9:20pm and Wednesdays 12:20am; and On ABC2 Wednesdays 10:15pm and Thursdays 8:45am.

ABC Radio National’s ‘Media Report’ is a fantastic guide to the changing media landscape in Australia and beyond.  Unfortunately, the programme airs Thursdays at 8.30am, which is probably not ideal radio-listening time for most folks.  However, you’ll be delighted to hear that it’s also available as a podcast (so you can listen to the ‘Media Report’ on your iPods on the way to uni!).  As you can see from this screenshot…

You have two options: either click ‘listen now’ to hear this programme on your computer or download the full episode.  Again, I hear the canny amongst you point out that mp3 downloading isn’t a podcast by itself – quite right you are, and the link to the podcast is this — http://www.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/feeds/mediarpt.xml  — which, as mentioned below, you need to paste into your iTunes or other podcast aggregator to automatically get updates of the latest media reports! 

Happy listening!