Media Storm

Join us for the Media Storm LIVE SHOW with special guests Natasha Devon and Milo Edwards - Tuesday 20th May 7pm @ the Business Design Centre in Islington. Tickets are available HERE! Kim, an asylum seeker from Zimbabwe, lives on £7-a-day while supporting a newborn in cockroach-infested accommodation… HOW is she supposed to pay the £10,000 NHS bill she received after giving birth? This week, Kim shares her story, and the Media Storm team unpack the mainstream media myths that feed the wider healthcare, migration and gender injustices behind it. Myths like: ‘Why are all asylum seekers MEN?!’ Don’t they come for free healthcare?’ ‘Illegal migrants are living in luxury hotels’ ‘The asylum backlog is out of control!’ We pick apart some current, culpable headlines, and compare the stories they tell with the first-hand experiences of the people living it. Also joining us in the studio is Judith Dennis, head of policy at Maternity Action, which works for the rights of pregnant women and new parents irrespective of migration status, and is campaigning for changes alongside the National Childbirth Trust. The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) The music is by @soundofsamfire Support us on Patreon! Follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join us for the Media Storm LIVE SHOW! Tuesday 20th May 7pm, @ the Business Design Centre in Islington. Tickets available HERE  Time for another weekly news debrief: we pick apart the most unhinged headlines and try to make sense of the mainstream media, helping you consume the news critically. This week, Katy Perry was blasted - into space, and in the media (4:50). As news broke that the Supreme Court ruled the legal definition of a woman is based on 'biological sex' (a ruling that didn't consult a single transgender person), we look at the rollbacks of queer rights around the world (10:20). Plus, how three front pages defined differently an attack on prison officers at HMP Frankland by the Manchester arena bomber's brother (22:32), a rebuttal against an ableist Daily Mail column on stammering (31:53), and why one article about asylum seekers living in 'luxury hotels' fails on facts (36:34). To keep Eyes on Palestine (41:02), we look at the case of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student at Columbia university abducted by ICE in the US, and discuss a small but mighty change in a BBC headline. The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia)  The music is by @soundofsamfire Support us on Patreon! Follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join us for the Media Storm LIVE SHOW! Tuesday 20th May 7pm @ the Business Design Centre in Islington. Tickets are available at 10am today via AEG Presents HERE! Paid Patreon subscribers get access to tickets ONE HOUR EARLIER at 9am What’s the bigger threat to free speech: the ‘woke mob’, or the MAGA word police? Where’s the line between free speech and hate speech? How can you have free market of ideas - when most of the media is owned by political suck-ups? Is free speech actually free if some people have more free speech than others? And with ‘free speech crusaders’ censoring anyone whose views they dislike… WHAT DOES ‘FREE SPEECH’ EVEN MEAN ANYMORE? Journalist and political activist Femi Oluwole joins Helena Wadia and Mathilda Mallinson to put the mainstream media’s ‘free speech’ debates under the microscope: from the arresting of keyboard criminals, to the abduction of students calling attention to Palestine, to the hypocrisy of MAGA leaders, and the social media algorithms shaping public discourse. The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) The music is by @soundofsamfire Support us on Patreon! Follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join us for the Media Storm LIVE SHOW! Tuesday 20th May 7pm, @ the Business Design Centre in Islington. Tickets available at 10am on Friday via AEG Presents HERE  Paid Patreon subscribers get access to tickets ONE HOUR EARLIER at 9am - support us on Patreon and get early access!   Content warning: Rape and sexual assault. If you need support you can contact Rape Crisis on 0808 500 2222 Time for another weekly news debrief: we pick apart the most unhinged headlines and try to make sense of the mainstream media, helping you consume the news critically. This week, some million people in the US protested for democracy and against the Trump administration - but you wouldn’t know it from the front pages (3:10). One grievance on the protest agenda was against Trump’s tariffs, described as ‘reciprocal’ in the media - but it turns out they're anything but (10:25).  Plus - can we do anything about Meta’s AI stealing over 7 million books? (9:12) (Sign the petition from The Society of Authors here!) Why did The Telegraph call Lucy Connolly, jailed for calling on rioters to set fire to asylum seeker hotels on X, a political prisoner? (21:03) And why intersectional reporting is so important in the case of serial rapist Zhenhao Zou. (31:11) Finally, keeping Eyes on Palestine, we look at the compliant reporting even the face of evidence that Israel's army killed 15 Palestinian paramedics and civil emergency responders. (39:14)  The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia)  The music is by @soundofsamfire Support us on Patreon! Follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warning: this episode contains mentions of suicide. If you need support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123 Reports of image-based sexual abuse in the UK have increased tenfold over the past few years. Women are five times more likely to be victims of intimate image abuse. The true scale of the problem is probably larger, as many victims do not come forward. But sensationalist headlines about so-called 'revenge porn' are doing a disservice to survivors. The term 'revenge' welcomes victim-blaming, the term 'porn' undermines the severity of the crime. Articles about apparent new protections for victims are written from Government press releases, with fact-checking thrown out the window, leaving tired survivors to take on crucial work as campaigners. Legal frameworks also can't seem to keep up with rising technology - AI generated image-based sexual abuse, also known as 'deepfakes', increased 400% between 2022 and 2023. Is the media failing to point to a culture of misogyny behind this crime? What steps can we take to combat IBSA? And how can we put survivors first every step of the way? Joining Media Storm this week is Elena Michael, co-founder and director of #NotYourPorn (you can sign their open letter to address the critical gaps in current legislation), and founder of anti-share technology Image Angel, Madelaine Thomas. The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) The music is by @soundofsamfire Support us on Patreon! Follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Time for another weekly news debrief: we pick apart the most unhinged headlines and try to make sense of the mainstream media, helping you consume the news critically. So many media storm’s blowing up our radar this week! The ICE abduction of a Turkish PhD student in the US (01:17); a coordinated effort by the Times, Telegraph, TalkTV, GB News, and Robert Jenrick to mislead the public about new sentencing guidelines (5:02); meanwhile, Marjorie Taylor Greene and her MAGA friends blame migrants, Biden, and everyone but themselves for the Signal group-chat security scandal (17:56). Plus - and this is where it gets awkward AF - Sky New's Sophie Ridge confuses two Muslim MPs for each other (22:00); a double stabbing in Bournemouth reveals how sensationalist media can play unwittingly into the hands of murderous men (26:05); and did you know - Adolescence is a true story? (34:24) And if you have concerns about the knee-jerk reaction of showing Adolescence in schools, here's the open letter you can sign. Finally, for Eyes on Palestine, we report on the discovery of a mass grave of Palestinian doctors that has reignited accusations of Israeli war crimes. (38:20) The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) The music is by @soundofsamfire Support us on Patreon! Follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We live in the age of sanctions - with Trump dishing out punitive foreign policy willy-nilly, and Russia’s war in Ukraine attracting more sanctions then the next top-sanctioned countries combined. It’s time to ask: who are they really helping? Activists often call on their leaders to sanction foreign governments they see as breaking human rights laws. We’re told that sanctions help protect civilians from their own, and neighbouring, oppressive regimes. But when civilian voices are left out of the conversation, and coverage constantly fails to examine the impact on the ground, how do we know if this is really what’s happening? How do we learn from mistakes? Because there are mistakes. Venezuelan sanctions today, like Iraqi sanctions in the 1990s, are estimated to have caused the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent people. Yet just this week, we’ve seen more introduced. Media Storm speaks to civilians from countries around the world, and discusses the real-life consequences of sanctions with one of the leading reporters on the topic - and the few to have consistently centred civilian voices - Murtaza Hussain from Drop Site News. The episode also features Ilona Oleksiuk, from Ukrainian anti-fossil fuel group, Razom We Stand; Tata Chikviladze, Georgian journalist and protester; and Danielle Bett, Scottish-Israeli pro-democracy activist with Yachad. The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) The music is by @soundofsamfire Support us on Patreon! Follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you need help with drug addiction, you can find support here. Tickets for Unchained Nights here! Time for another weekly news debrief: we pick apart the most unhinged headlines and try to make sense of the mainstream media, helping you consume the news critically. This week, the TV show on everyone's mind: Adolescence. We discuss our reaction to the Netflix hit, whether showing the series in schools will do anything to change minds on misogyny, and how we can involve boys in the conversation without stigmatising them. (21:25) Also this episode: Drag Race icon The Vivienne's cause of death was revealed to be cardiac arrest caused by the effects of taking ketamine. A campaign has started to raise awareness of the dangers of ketamine, and to move the drug from Class B to Class A. But while the media uncritically supports the move, they fail to report on the wider context: that the more we have pursued a war on drugs, the more drug use, drug fatalities, and racialised inequality has risen. (04:01) Next, former president of Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested by the International Criminal Court (ICC) - but why did he call it 'white man's justice'? The uncomfortable truth about inconsistent international law. (14:25) And, we discuss the irony that a new four-lane highway is being built in the Brazilian city of Belém, cutting through tens of thousands of acres of protected Amazon rainforest - all in aid of easing traffic at the climate summit COP30. You couldn't write it, but it's true. Read more from Ione Well's reporting here, and hear why we need to put the lived experience of indigenous voices at the forefront of the climate solution. (33:51) The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) The music is by @soundofsamfire Support us on Patreon! Follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Content warning: baby loss "When a court sentences a pregnant woman to prison, they sentence her to a high risk pregnancy" There are hundreds of pregnant women in UK prisons - a third of them yet to actually be convicted of a crime. Babies born to women in prison are 7x more likely to be stillborn than the norm. In recent years, two babies died when their incarcerated mothers went into labour and their calls for help were ignored. Last month, harrowing stories emerged of women at HMP Bronzefield being unlawfully handcuffed to male officers during childbirth. Media Storm asks: will prison ever be a safe place to be pregnant? And if not, does the media care? And why, when debating this issue, did one LBC presenter get fixated on lamb chops?! (19:25) Plus, Helena delves into far more detail than anybody asked for when talking about the EastEnders storyline which saw the iconic character Sonia Fowler pregnant in prison - an example of pop culture's influence on real-life issues. Joining Media Storm this week is co-director of gender justice group Level Up, Janey Starling, and 'Anna' - co-founder of the Level Up campaign No Births Behind Bars, who was first sent to prison when 6 months pregnant. The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia)  The music is by @soundofsamfire Support us on Patreon! Follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Time for another weekly news debrief: Europe’s surging defence budgets and the hidden realities of the nuclear armament debate (03:09), the attack on benefits in our government and media - which are cutting more disability voices from the debate, than actual costs from the budget (10:07), and the overlooked importance of US airstrikes in Yemen (24:51). Plus, how Gaza’s ceasefire ended long before this week’s devastating airstrikes (30:39). Walk with us through the week’s top stories and learn how to critically consume the mainstream media, spot the missing contexts and voices, and get a better understanding of what’s happening in our world. UPDATE: Since recording, Gaza's death toll has continued to rise and has now surpassed 500 deaths since Tuesday, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia)   The music is by @soundofsamfire Support us on Patreon! Follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing...The News Meeting from our friends at Tortoise. Your Media Storm hosts Mathilda & Helena were invited on Tortoise's podcast to pitch a story we think should lead the news. Are welfare reforms Labour’s only hope of saving money ahead of the Spring Statement? Who are the hundreds of Venezuelans who have been forcibly removed from the US? And what is the media getting wrong when it comes to reporting on femicide by an intimate partner? We join Tortoise's Deputy Editor Giles Whittell and reporter Claudia Williams for The News Meeting. You can listen to the full episode here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Media Storm investigates how universities handle sexual misconduct cases - when their prestigious professors are at the centre of the scandal. It all started when our intern, a student at LSE, told us about student activism stirring at her university, after a dozen sexual misconduct allegations against one male professor resulted in no disciplinary action for him - and several female staff resigning in protest. It’s not a secret that women drop out of academia at disproportionate rates to men. The female-male ratio slips from over 50/50 at postgraduate studies to 30/70 at the highest rank of professor – giving the sector the reputation of a “leaky pipeline”. But staff sexual misconduct (and universities’ failures to address it), is rarely, if ever, explored as a reason. We investigated. And to borrow the resigning words of one female professor, what we found, at times, “reads like a textbook on how to turn a complaints process into a gauntlet, into a warning to women not to challenge the behaviour of men and the institutions that protect them”.   The episode was co-produced by Mathilda Mallinson and Camilla Tiana, and hosted by Mathilda Mallinson and Helena Wadia. The music is by Samfire. Academic resources: ·       Eradicating Sexual Violence in Tertiary Education (UCU, 2021) ·       Power in the academy: staff sexual misconduct in UK higher education (NUS, 2021) ·       Misconduct Disclosure Scheme proposal (1752, 2024)  ·        ‘How Do Institutional Gender Regimes Affect Formal Reporting Processes for Sexual Harassment? A Qualitative Study of UK Higher Education,’ by Anna Bull, and Erin Shannon (Law & Policy, 2024) Response from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) spokesperson:   “LSE is committed to a working and learning environment where people can achieve their full potential free of all types of harassment and violence. We take reports of sexual harassment extremely seriously and encourage any member of the LSE community who has experienced or witnessed this to get in touch via one of our many channels. Further, if a complaint of misconduct is received against any member of our faculty, staff or student body we will always investigate fairly and fully, following our policies and procedures. “LSE has developed, and continues to develop, a number of measures to ensure any allegation of misconduct receives a trauma-informed, robust and compassionate response.  “These measures include the new Report + Support system- an online tool where staff and students can report issues of concern and which provides information about support, policies and procedures and campaigns. This enables us to address issues more quickly and consistently across the School and vastly improve our approach to case management and communication with all involved. In line with sector best practice, we also plan to make greater use of external investigators in the future.  "We have commissioned Rape Crisis South London and Survivors UK to run an Independent Sexual Violence Advisory service for the School. This provides practical and emotional support for any student or staff member who needs it and supports them through a reporting process and/or the criminal justice process if they wish. This service is available to access online without a waiting list. This represents a step-change in the level of specialist support we're offering our students.  “We have also implemented a tailored all-staff online training course on addressing harassment and sexual misconduct affecting students, developed with Advance HE. This is being rolled out as required training across the School."  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Media Storm delves into a vastly underreported topic - and one of the biggest potential barriers to gender equality, child welfare and family security. The UK has the least generous paternity leave entitlement in Europe, currently set at a measly two weeks. On the surface, maternity leave looks generous in length - but compared to OECD countries, the rate of pay is one of the lowest. As the government and media put culture wars over real-life policies, spread muddled misinformation about benefits that are designed to be difficult, and gender equality faces major cultural setbacks.... we ask young parents campaigning for change: why? (And how they're doing it while 5 months' pregnant?!) Joining us this week are the founders of Dope Black Dads - Marvyn Harrison, and of Nugget Savings - Katie Guild.  The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia)  The music is by @soundofsamfire Support us on Patreon! Follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Time for another weekly news debrief: we pick apart the most unhinged headlines and try to make sense of the mainstream media, helping you consume the news critically. In this episode, we take you through the Media Storm mission: we’re not about conspiracy, we’re about media literacy. THAT Zelensky-Trump press conference set the tone for world news this week, as Western leaders rolled out red carpets and tried to decipher diplomatic rationale from clickbait MAGA politics. So who was the rude reporter that set the wheels in motion? And what should we make of the pantomime that’s become of the White House’s press room? Imagine, instead, if Netanyahu had been in the hot seat (we play it out for you): warned by Trump and Vance that he is gambling with World War Three. That he has no cards to play, if the US wants a ceasefire. Instead of applying such pressure, the US government pushed through an emergency arms sale to Israel this week - days before imposing new terms on the ceasefire with Hamas. But is that how the press reported it? Now for something NOT TRUMP. Ever heard of joint enterprise? The little-known law putting Black boys in prison has failed to attract much press scrutiny, so we dive in. And finally, Mathilda’s secret aristocratic background has been exposed by the Daily Mail! Find out why Helena’s so disappointed. The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) The music is by @soundofsamfire Support us on Patreon! Follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warning: strong language For the first time since they wrapped filming, Mathilda, Jess, & Nathan from Channel 4's four-part documentary Go Back To Where You Came From are reunited! In the documentary, Mathilda traced a common refugee route from Somalia to the UK - alongside Jess, from a small town in Wales, and Nathan, a trucker from Barnsley. At the start of their journey, Nathan & Jess had very strong anti-immigration views. But by the final episode of the show, after talking to migrants and seeing firsthand the situations that refugees flee, the audience sees their views change - and an unlikely friendship develop between the group. How do we apply the lessons learnt from this documentary to our lives? How do we fight dehumanisation, and build bridges with those who think differently to us? The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) The music is by @soundofsamfire Support us on Patreon! Follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vote for Samfire to perform at Tramlines festival! Time for another weekly news debrief: we pick apart the most unhinged headlines and try to make sense of the mainstream media, helping you consume the news critically. One murder trial unfolding in the US has all the ingredients for a media storm: a child’s 'grandfather-like' figure becoming his fanaticised murderer. But the killer was motivated by anti-Palestinian radicalisation, and for that the mainstream media itself should be on trial. Perhaps that’s why there’s not a whisper about the case in our press. But the death of Wadea Al-Fayoume is no less tragic than the death of every child in this war. We compare news coverage of different child fatalities, depending on whether they’re Israeli or Palestinian. And we question the BBC’s ‘spineless’ decision to pull a documentary covering the lives of Palestinian children. ‘Gaza: How To Survive A War Zone’ was taken offline after intervention from UK and Israeli government officials. Germany’s general election results shocked many due to an ‘unprecedented’ spike in votes for the far-right AfD. But zoom out on the history timeline, and a very familiar pattern emerges. Scroll through the interactive history Mathilda’s loving HERE. The Pope is ill: cue a scramble for power in the Vatican, avidly followed by Western media. But why are they so unfazed about the very same patriarchy they vehemently damn in non-Western religions? And finally: “Queen of Woke” Ash Sarkar rejects identity politics in a “spectacular Damascene conversion” - at least according to the Telegraph. And yet, their account of her new book doesn’t include a single direct quote... The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) The music is by @soundofsamfire Support us on Patreon! Follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Between the rise of the far-right and Israel’s ongoing warfare, today’s world is a feeding frenzy for antisemitism, and many Jewish people are afraid of prejudice and attack. But as many provocateurs turn antisemitism into a political weapon, the root causes of racism are being overlooked and enabled. All the while, the mainstream media has become a weapon of mass destruction in the war of words - often failing to spotlight the biggest drivers of hate. Is it possible to be anti-Zionist without being antisemitic? What does Israel’s war mean for Jewish protection worldwide? Are Elon Musk and Kanye West’s competing for the most “Nazi swag”? These are all questions we’ll put to our guests - Anthony Feinstein, son of a Holocaust survivor and former comrade of Nelson Mandela in the war against Apartheid, white supremacy and antisemitism in South Africa. And Alex Kane, senior reporter at the historic, post-Nazi Jewish Currents in the US. The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) The music is by @soundofsamfire Support us on Patreon! Follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Time for another weekly news debrief: we pick apart the most unhinged headlines and try to make sense of the mainstream media, helping you consume the news critically. The UK agreed to hand the Chagos Islands “back” to Mauritius. But colonial history makes this decision complicated - and crucially, Chagossians were excluded from the discussions… much like Ukraine this week, who were left out of US-Russia peace negotiations. This news made every front page, except for the Daily Mail who wrote about wokeness and the Daily Star who wrote about... sausages. Other stories we cover: more than 65,000 people have complained to Ofcom over a GB News comment comparing queerness to (prepare yourself) paedophilia. We discuss this record-breaking number, and the doubled-down defence of the presenter. And finally, why anti-migrant sentiment led to Sweden's worst mass shooting - and whether the media does a better job at reporting crises, or creating them. The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) The music is by @soundofsamfire Support us on Patreon! Follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's Valentine's Day! A day full of overpriced chocolates, high expectations, and focus on how much sex you're going to have. So what about those who have no interest in it? 'Ace' is an umbrella term used to describe people who experience little, fluctuating, or no sexual attraction. There are also aromantic people - who experience little to no romantic attraction. Asexuality is often widely misunderstood, including within the LGBTQ+ community. Asexual people are also not recognised in legislation, such as under the UK Equality Act, and Stonewall found asexual people may be at a higher risk of conversion therapy than gay, lesbian and bi individuals. But when asexual activists take to the media to raise these issues, they are met with a chorus of criticism, ignorance, and insults: they're vying for victimhood, or they're offered the enlightening advice to simply "get laid". Here to help us understand why exactly the media are so angry is Yasmin Benoit, model, academic and activist. The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) The music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire) Follow us @mediastormpod Support us on Patreon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

! JOIN US AT SAMFIRE’S EP LAUNCH PARTY TONIGHT ! This week’s political news reads like a playbook in fascist propaganda - and rule number 1 is throwing minorities under the bus. Whether it’s Trump’s America, Merz’s Germany or Starmer’s Great Britain, leadership apparently now means bowing to the myths of the masses - myths the media has miserably failed to correct. Is there really a ‘migrant crime wave’? We review worldwide data to equip listeners with the facts missing from the mainstream media. What about ‘the war on women’s sports’? How many transgender athletes does it take for the Trump administration to ceremoniously sign a national ban? (Apparently, just 10 - we wonder what Musk’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ makes of that use of federal funds.) And guess who predicted Hamas’ hesitation over hostage releases, following Trump’s plans to “take over” Gaza? The families of those hostages. So why did their concerns barely make the press? We finish News Watch with Eyes On Palestine: new frontiers of war emerge in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) The music is by Samfire (@samfire) Follow us @mediastormpod Support us on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we’ve decided to cover a topic that’s hugely underreported in the mainstream media: FGM. Yesterday was FGM Zero Tolerance Day, so you may have seen a (very small) flurry of articles about the topic - but this week's guests say that it needs to be covered all year round. FGM stands for Female Genital Mutilation - the deliberate cutting or removal of a female's external genitalia. It is currently documented in 92 countries around the world, the highest share in Africa - countries including Somalia, Egypt, Mali, Sudan and Ethiopia. It is also found in Asian and Middle Eastern countries, and in diaspora communities in the West. Over 200 million women globally have been subjected to FGM. This should be a media storm. But instead, there’s near silence. So we've asked FGM survivors why the coverage is lacking, what they need from the media, and what we can do to help. Joining us is Dr Leyla Hussein, psychotherapist and award-winning international campaigner leading the fight against FGM, and Ifrah Ahmed, Somali-Irish humanitarian worker, activist, and founder of the Ifrah Foundation, a charity with the aim of the absolute abandonment of FGM in Somalia. The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) Follow us @mediastormpod Support us on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the first episode of Media Storm series 5! Helena questions Mathilda about her motivations in taking part in a Channel 4 documentary about polarised immigration opinions, called Go Back To Where You Came From. Then it's onto our weekly news debrief: we pick apart the most unhinged headlines and try to make sense of the mainstream media, helping you consume the news critically. This week's news - like last week's and probably next week - is the Trump show. But how much are the media playing into his hands by making all world news about Trump's actions? And how do we sort the fascism from the frenzy? We also decipher Trump's call for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, which is dressed up as compassion. Other stories we cover: Why is everything except male violence to blame for the actions of Southport killer Axel Rudakubana? Plus, we look at reporting on the rebel M23 forces who have seized the eastern city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo - and why this reporting under the 'Africa' tab of your news page is not as far from home as you think. Finally, why all reporting corrections should be splashed on the front page... The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) Follow us @mediastormpod Support us on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media Storm is returning next week! Series 5 will begin on Thursday 6th February - and there are now TWO episodes of Media Storm every week. Every Thursday, we'll be dropping Media Storm's News Watch - where Mathilda & Helena will run through the main stories of the week, picking apart the most unhinged headlines to help you make sense of the mainstream media. Every Friday, we'll release our regular episodes - our deep-dives into a topic that we think has been misrepresented in the mainstream media. And we'll do that with the most important (and most overlooked) people in the story - the ones living it.  Until then, here is one from the archives: Media Storm's first ever investigation about the so-called refugee 'crisis'. With headlines reporting ‘record numbers of migrants’ reaching the UK in dinghies, Media Storm headed across the Channel to find out why they’re coming. The UK claims that accepting asylum seekers creates a ‘pull factor’ and encourages more people to come - we look at whether this is really what’s causing the crisis. Plus, we've republished our conversation from last series, where we busted the biggest myths about refugees with two people who have lived experience - Journalist Osama Gaweesh, and Afghan journalist, newsreader, and women's rights activist, Zahra Shaheer. Make sure you have your notifications on so you can join us, TWICE weekly, from Thursday 6th Feb for Series 5! Follow us: Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) Media Storm (@mediastormpod) Support Media Storm on Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Mathilda and Helena on their weekly news debriefs! We pick apart the most unhinged headlines and try to make sense of the mainstream media - helping you consume the news critically. In our final News Watch before Christmas, we pick apart an outrageous claim in The Telegraph that the NHS 'catering to' transgender people is making more pregnant women die - a claim that is an opinion, but presented as fact. Plus, Trump is Time's Person of the Year - and he takes the time to speak about transgender 'bathroom issues' - though what he says might surprise you. Next, a shooting spree in Dunkirk that you probably didn't read about in the media. Is the media ignoring the targeting of two migrants? And finally, we have to talk about Luigi Mangione mania - the man who shot the UnitedHealthcare CEO - which has given cause to criticise across the political spectrum. Donate to Mobile Refugee Support in Dunkirk The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) Follow us @mediastormpod and support us on Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Content warning: descriptions of violence, mentions of rape, descriptions of transphobia Join Mathilda and Helena on their weekly news debriefs! We pick apart the most unhinged headlines and try to make sense of the mainstream media - helping you consume the news critically. This week, we point out a gaping blind spot in the international press: Georgia, a country at the intersection of Europe and Asia and on the southern border of Russia, is on fire politically. And its people need the world to care. We hear from journalists on the ground, and spotlight how and why this story has been underreported, and its global significance downplayed. Next, serious allegations of sexual misconduct against the founders of PinkNews have been uncovered, thanks to over 30 former and current staff members at the outlet. But some media outlets and personalities have capitalised on victims' testimonies to promote transphobia - and they think they can get away with it. And finally, one day after the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, the UK has paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims. We discuss why this announcement is politically trigger happy: focused on cheap domestic wins, not international emergencies. Also... Helena holds more space for Wicked. The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) Follow us @mediastormpod and support us on Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Mathilda and Helena on their weekly news debriefs! We pick apart the most unhinged headlines and try to make sense of the mainstream media - helping you consume the news critically. This week, Gregg Wallace turned his back on his target audience ("middle-class women of a certain age") while issuing a statement that will surely go down in history as a top PR nightmare. It's all off the back of multiple serious allegations against him - both uncovered AND undermined by The Telegraph. Next, we step outside of the Western worldview to look at events in Syria, as Aleppo has been captured by the armed rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham from government forces. Plus - under a world-first law, sex workers in Belgium will be giving the same rights as any other worker, and is The Times being hypocritical with its article about 'Sickfluencers'? The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). The music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire). Follow us @mediastormpod Support us on Patreon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Mathilda and Helena on their weekly news debriefs! We'll pick apart the most unhinged headlines and try to make sense of the mainstream media - helping you consume the news critically. This week, it’s hypocritical calls for another general election (while legitimate calls for another Brexit referendum were ignored), Musk interfering in UK politics (we've moved from X to Bluesky, follow us!), a BBC headline about the ICC arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu that failed to dig deeper, accusations of discrimination against Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities from Greater Manchester Police, and Helena tries (and fails) to explain Wicked to Mathilda. The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). The music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire). Follow us @mediastormpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing: Media Storm's News Watch! Join Mathilda and Helena on their weekly news debriefs! We'll pick apart the most unhinged headlines and try to make sense of the mainstream media - helping you consume the news critically. This week, it’s farmers (protesting the UK’s new inheritance tax), football fans (bringing the Israel-Palestine conflict to the streets of Amsterdam), and food (sandwich fillings just too woke for the Daily Mail to handle). It’s also Trans Awareness Week - so we’ll highlight some vital stories about transgender rights that the mainstream media must have *accidentally* missed. And finally: things to think about when reading headlines on the murder of Harshita Brella. The episode is hosted and produced by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). The music is by Safire (@soundofsamfire). Follow us @mediastormpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The End of Life Bill being debated in UK parliament marks a historic moment for a country with one of the most punitive approaches to assisted dying people in the liberal world. But here at Media Storm, something confuses us about the debate now unfolding in the news, which is the distinctive lack of voices of people for whom the bill is actually designed. People who are terminally ill. So we bring you back an episode dedicated to platforming people who are dying and their loved ones. Theirs are the testimonies anyone refusing legal reform must answer to. The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We bring back Media Storm's episode on 'terrorism' to reflect on the escalating war in the Middle East, and ask how geopolitical biases are playing into this week's headlines and restricting our understanding of events. The episode features Lebanese reporter Zahera Harb, Afghan refugee Gulwali Passarlay, former UN Security Council President Kishore Mahbubani, South African freedom fighters from the LSWV, and ex-IRA convict Tony Doherty. Hosts: Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) Music: Samfire (@soundofsamfire) Support Media Storm on Patreon - and help us out by sending your favourite episode to 3 of your favourite people! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nuclear weapons: peace in our times, or destruction in our future? What you think probably depends on where in the world you are - because what journalists write generally depends on where in the world they are. Here in the UK, nuclear weapons are a necessary deterrent, and that’s the end of the story. The coverage is coloured by geopolitical considerations and political voices, while scientific and humanitarian ones are absent. That’s why Media Storm is bringing in a Nobel-winning physicist and a Japanese peace activist to dig deeper. Dr Ira Helfand and Yumiko Sakuma join us for (heads up) our scariest Media Storm episode yet. What would survivors tell us if we gave them a voice? What hidden risks are going unreported? Who gets rich from fuelling the arms race? And what would actually happen if nuclear warfare broke out? Also: is there another way? Plus – your weekly Media Storms: Zombie knives and ninja swords, doubt in the details of a Telegraph article about benefits - and why Boris Johnson knows nothing about Bridget Jones. Also, sausages. Hosts: Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) Music: Samfire (@soundofsamfire) Assistant Producer: Katie Grant Support Media Storm on Patreon - and help us out by sending your favourite episode to 3 of your favourite people! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Prince Harry’s 40th birthday, Kate Middleton back at work, and ANOTHER dramatisation of that Prince Andrew interview. Headlines about the Royals are frequent front pages - but is this actually news? The monarchy is given a fairly easy ride in the media - rarely questioned, often praised, history erased. But why don’t editorial guidelines about ‘due impartiality’ apply to the royal family, when 40% of Brits disagree with its existence? This week, storyteller Kelechi Okafor and author Dr Laura Clancy (who wrote Running the Family Firm: how the monarchy manages its image and our money) join us to talk about monarchy in the media. How much money does the taxpayer spend on the monarchy? What is the actual job of a royal correspondent - and why are they all called Ms England, or Mr Dymond, or Ms Bond? And what actually happened during Elizabeth II’s Empire? Plus, your weekly media storms. How the Trump campaign is playing the papers; how British tabloids got a pro-Palestine pregnant mother arrested for calling Sunak and Braverman ‘coconuts’; and what the Jewish Chronicle scandal reveals about our wider media's mistakes. Hosts: Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) Music: Samfire (@soundofsamfire) Assistant Producer: Katie Grant Episode research: Camilla Tiana Support Media Storm on Patreon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Content warning: rape, sexual assault, and gender-based violence Headlines about gender-based violence are sadly not rare. But over the last week, two harrowing stories have sent shockwaves around the world. In France, pensioner Dominique Pelicot stands trial for recruiting 72 men to join him in drugging and raping his now ex-wife, Gisèle, over the course of a decade.  And in Kenya, Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei burned alive after being set on fire by her ex-boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema.  There has been much reporting on these stories - and not all of it good. Joining us in the studio to pick apart the headlines is Daniel Guinness, Director of Beyond Equality - the UK charity working with boys & men; and writer, researcher, and workshop facilitator Nathaniel Cole. Men are being erased from the problem, and excused from the solution. So this week, Media Storm is flipping the script - because if violence against women begins with men, it can also end with men. We also speak to Bryony Ball and Meggan Baker, the co-founders of SLEEC - Survivors Leading Essential Eduction and Change. Plus, your week's media storms: the New Yorker article casting a shadow over the Lucy Letby inquiry, what news talkshows can learn from the Jeremy Kyle inquest, and how to judge AI findings of BBC anti-Israel bias.    Hosts: Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) Music: Samfire (@soundofsamfire) Assistant Producer: Katie Grant Episode research: Camilla Tiana Support Media Storm on Patreon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Headlines about wars in Ukraine and Gaza have flooded front pages - yet, the "world's biggest humanitarian crisis" is battling for media attention. Why?  In Sudan, a terrible war is raging. What started as a conflict between the Sudan Armed forces (SAF) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has exploded into chaos and bloodshed, with countless militias, ethnic massacres, and foreign proxy self-interest. Over 25 million people face acute hunger. Nearly 11 million have been displaced. And the death count is suspected to be as high as five times as high as in Gaza. But if you were to judge by how much international attention Sudan gets - either from the media, politicians, or humanitarian donors - you wouldn’t realise this is happening before the world's eyes.  Joining Media Storm this week is Sudanese activist and the man behind the social media platform Sudan Updates, Ameen Mekki. We are also joined by Sudanese refugee, public speaker, and charity worker Gaida Dirar, to discuss how British colonial history played a part in Sudan’s present-day difficulties - and why the war is as urgent to Western audiences as any other. Plus, your week's Media Storms: panic about a potential pub garden smoking ban, an extracted anecdote from Jess Phillips that apparently provided proof of a 'two-tier NHS', misleading claims about crime at Notting Hill Carnival, and the voices missing in Israel-Palestine coverage: though they may not be the voices you think.  Hosts: Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) Music: Samfire (@soundofsamfire) Assistant Producer: Katie Grant Episode research: Camilla Tiana Support Media Storm on Patreon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Paralympic Games are underway - and there's plenty to celebrate! More coverage than ever before, a public-participating opening ceremony, and over 160 nations televising the event.  But is it enough? There were 10 million tickets available for the Olympics - and only 3 million for the Paralympics. What does it mean that the Paralympics will be broadcast on Channel 4, rather than our state broadcaster BBC (where extensive Olympics coverage takes place). Is this a question of reduced public interest and 'relatability'? Or an underlying bias against disability? Joining us to discuss perplexing media coverage and perpetuating stereotypes of the Paralympics are two para athletes. Wheelchair tennis silver-medallist-turned-fashion expert Samanta Bullock is in the studio, and two-time Paralympian blind footballer Keryn Seal tunes in from Paris.  Plus, your week's Media Storms: the shocking truth behind attention-grabbing headlines about crime at Notting Hill Carnival, journalists band together to denounce Israel's assault on a free press, and why numbers CAN lie when it come to how much immigrants really cost the country...  Hosts: Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) Music: Samfire (@soundofsamfire) Assistant Producer: Katie Grant Episode research: Camilla Tiana Support Media Storm on Patreon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‘UK PRISONS OVERCROWDED AFTER RACIST RIOTS!’ ‘A CHILD IS STRIP-SEARCHED EVERY 14 HOURS’ ‘SCORES OF CRIMINALS COULD BE FREED IN DAYS’ Headlines this week spotlight the UK’s criminal justice system, as prison overcrowding triggers emergency measures. Amazingly, serious talks about prison reform have entered the mainstream media - but a key voice is missing from the coverage: prisoners themselves. This week, people with inside knowledge of the system join Helena and Mathilda for the week’s top stories. Lady Unchained and David Navarro talk prison overcrowding, child strip-searching, and the new prisons minister, James Timpson. We also ask: was this really all caused by Keir Starmer’s ‘clampdown’ on far-right rioters? Plus, other Media Storms of the week: Superyacht shipwreck, migrant ‘superheroes’, and Steven van de Velde's post-Olympics interviews. Hosts: Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) Music: Samfire (@soundofsamfire) Assistant Producer: Katie Grant Episode research: Camilla Tiana Support Media Storm on Patreon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cult members. Fanatics. Selfish. Evil. All words that have been used to describe climate activists in the mainstream media. Just Stop Oil have made many headlines since 2022, be it by stopping traffic or throwing powder on Stonehenge in their token orange shade. Last month, five members were sent to prison with the longest sentences ever given for peaceful protest in the UK. But what does the group actually want? If it weren't for the name, Just Stop Oil's aims would be largely absent from press reports, which focus on the public nuisance caused by the group rather than the climate change message behind it. Are the horror stories of blockaded ambulances all to be believed, or is the media misrepresenting the group? If so, why? Why do the public apparently hate them so much? And why hasn't this stopped them? We're joined by Just Stop Oil spokesperson Adrian Johnson and climate journalist Diyora Shadijanova. Plus, your round-up of the headlines through a Media Storm lens: exposés of NHS strike 'plots', the reasons for inaccuracies coming out of Gaza, an Islamophobic Daily Mail front page, and... dogs?  As a take home message, we also speak to Emma Webber, mother of Nottingham attacks victim Barnaby Webber, about victims' consent in true crime and her reaction to the riots that followed the Southport stabbings. Hosts: Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) Music: Samfire (@soundofsamfire) Assistant Producer: Katie Grant Support Media Storm on Patreon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week has seen stories of bigotry, fuelled by bad information. Anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant riots sprung up across the UK, with no factual basis in the incident that triggered them - a stabbing attack that killed three young girls in Southport last Monday, founded on a widespread fake news story that the attacker was a Muslim asylum seeker who arrived ‘illegally’ by boat. But some mainstream news outlets seemed to have trouble naming the problem. Riots were labelled ‘protests’. Attacking a mosque was called ‘disorder’. And the word Islamophobia? That was nowhere to be found. This week we are joined by Rizwana Hamid, award-winning journalist and the director of The Centre for Media Monitoring - which promotes accurate, fair and responsible reporting of Muslims & Islam. We discuss longstanding Islamophobia in the British media, the treatment of Zarah Sultana MP on Good Morning Britain, and smash tropes and stereotypes including accusations of grooming gangs and extremism. You’ll also hear from Sabah Ahmedi, aka @theyoungimam, who invites those who disagree with or fear his faith to step out of their comfort zone, visit a mosque, and see for themselves. Plus, your round-up of the headlines through a Media Storm lens, including tackling the disinformation surrounding the ‘gender eligibility’ of two Olympic boxers - Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting. Hosts: Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) Music: Samfire (@soundofsamfire) Assistant Producer: Katie Grant Support Media Storm on Patreon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Monday, three young girls were killed in a knife attack in Southport at a Taylor Swift themed dance class. They were 6, 7, and 9 years old. Eight other children were stabbed. A community, and a country, are in shock. Even though male violence against women and girls is commonplace, it can be hard to understand in these particular set of circumstances.  A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. That is all we know about the boy who carried out this attack.  But - alternative narratives were formed online, and they spread quickly. On Tuesday evening, rioters believed to include English Defence League (EDL) supporters, formed outside the Southport mosque, screaming abuse and smashing windows. They broke garden walls, and threw bricks, bottles, and rocks. They set a police van alight. 27 police officers were hospitalised. The 17-year-old has no known links to Islam, but those behind the violence had been fired up by social media posts which incorrectly suggested an extreme Islamist link to the stabbings. What makes somebody hijack the grief of a community, and instead use it as an excuse to spread racism, Islamophobia, and more violence? How do people get radicalised into the far-right? In this Media Storm investigation, we speak to reformed Neo-Nazis, far-right grooming victims and undercover counter-extremists. We investigate the recruitment tactics of violent terrorists attempting to spread hatred, and uncover proof that mainstream media and politicians may be playing into their hands. We're finding out what pushes people to the far-right, and crucially, how we can pull them back. Hosts: Helena Wadia @helenawadia Mathilda Mallinson @mathildamall Speakers: Julia Ebner @julie_renbe Dr Rajan Basra @rajanbasra Music: Samfire @soundofsamfire Exit Hate UK offers non-judgemental support for individuals & families impacted by far-right extremism. For support please contact info@exithate.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warning: Strong language “Race is always seen as Black men's issue, gender is always seen as white women's issue. So Black women always fall through the cracks.” Preferential acceptance rates for White women applying to UK police forces have given a false impression of gender equality, hiding acute discrimination against Black women, Media Storm data shows. This reveals the importance of understanding intersectional discrimination - and one version in particular. ‘Misogynoir’: the ingrained prejudice against Black women. This episode heroes Black women speaking about the particular prejudices they face. In a long-form interview, Mina Smallman - teacher, pastor and mother of Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman, whose murders exposed racist police neglect and abuse - shares the pain, passion and learnings that went into her new book, A Better Tomorrow: Life Lessons in Hope and Strength. The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). The music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire). Speakers: Dr Marina Hasan, criminologist Marcia Ore, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion consultant & former West Midlands Police Officer Mina Smallman, pastor & author Resources: Order Mina Smallman’s book, A Better Tomorrow Request Media Storm’s policing data  Support Media Storm on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's VOTING DAY! How did you pick who to vote for? Hopefully not by relying too heavily on our mainstream media. Listen to this episode to find out why! It’s a dose of media literacy that is so essential, especially in this year of elections. We speak to CEO of independent press regulator Impress, Lexie Kirkconnell-Kawana, and TikTok journalist Sophia Smith Galer, about the party politics of our papers, the cringiest MPs rapping on TikTok to try and sway a Gen-Z vote, and how actually engage young people in politics. Plus, no-filter host of Saving Grace podcast GK Barry joins Media Storm to talk about her latest project 'The Turnout'. Take note, if enough young people vote, Alastair Campbell will be forced to watch an episode of Love Island with her. Hosts: Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) Music: Samfire (@soundofsamfire) Assistant Producer: Katie Grant Support us on Patreon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Quite a lot to NOT be proud of this Pride Month, with corporations creeping away cowardly as ultra-Conservatives boycott their rainbow campaigns. Meanwhile, much of the mainstream media refuses to report on rising threats to LGBT+ equality. Luckily, there’s also lots to laugh about! From hilariously hopeless Pride ads to everything that comes out of Olga Koch’s mouth - and lots to gossip about too, with celebrity “queerbaiting” up on the agenda. We pick our way through Pride’s best and worst reporting, including vital LGBTQIA+ investigations that went under the radar - with QueerAF editor Jamie Wareham, and comedian Olga Koch. This week’s lived experience comes from teachers and trans youth, who share firsthand insights on headlines about “gender ideology”, as both the Conservatives and Labour pledge to rigidly censor gender-related education ahead of the general election. Plus, your round-up of the headlines through a Media Storm lens, including debunking myths of a Labour "supermajority", Just Stop Oil's stonehenge protest, and Rwanda refugee watch. And finally… GETTING READY FOR GLASTONBURY?! Find out how Traveller culture has shaped modern-day music festivals, and how you can celebrate them as you celebrate Glastonbury. Hosts: Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) Music: Samfire (@soundofsamfire) Assistant Producer: Katie Grant Support Media Storm on Patreon  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today is #WorldRefugeeDay - an international day designated by the UN to honour refugees around the globe. World Refugee Day feels especially relevant at Media Storm, because refugees make one of the strongest cases for this podcast’s existence. They are one of the groups characterised most frequently and most voicelessly in our mainstream media, and consequently, clouded by myth. Joining us to bust some of the biggest myths about refugees are two people with lived experience - Journalist, Editor-in-Chief at Egyptwatch, and host of the podcast Untold Stories, Osama Gaweesh - and Afghan journalist, newsreader, and women's rights activist, Zahra Shaheer. We talk about what the mainstream news media so sorely lacks - the focus on inclusion, positivity, and solutions. Plus, we discuss the biggest story in UK immigration and election news - the Tories' Rwanda deportation deal. Find out more: Mobile Refugee Support Refugee Journalism Project IMIX Follow us: Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) Media Storm (@mediastormpod) Music: Samfire @soundofsamfire Assistant Producer: Katie Grant Support Media Storm on Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This investigation contains discusses of rape, sexual assault, and suicide which some listeners might find distressing. If you need someone to talk to, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or Rape Crisis on 0808 500 2222. Warning: strong language Media Storm’s first series featured an investigation into ‘Rape justice: ‘What happens to the 98%?', when we discovered the fates of the many reported rapes that never make it to trial. Today, we speak to “the lucky ones” - the 2% of victims who get the chance to go to court. Or do they? Many are pushed to leave the courtroom and miss the bulk of their trial… and then they must pay tens of thousands of pounds to find out what happened inside. Are government contractors getting rich off of victims’ suffering? Or is someone trying to hide something? This is an investigation into the transparency of the UK’s justice system, and the treatment of women and victims during rape and sexual assault trials. Links: Discover the campaign: ‘Open Justice For All’ Listen to our original investigation Support Media Storm investigations on Patreon Speakers: Juliana Terlizzi @juterlizzi Charlotte @charlottschreu Open Justice For All @openjustice4all @openjusticeforall Hosts: Mathilda Mallinson @mathildamall Helena Wadia @helenawadia Music: Samfire @soundofsamfire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Faiza Shaheen announced she has resigned from the Labour Party, after a shock email revealed she had been deselected as a candidate in this year's General Election. The Labour Party candidate selection committee called into question tweets that Faiza had 'liked', some from 10 years ago. But behind the apparent distractions of old tweets is something far more sinister: what Faiza has described as “a systematic campaign of racism, Islamophobia, and bullying". Are people of colour held to a higher standard in public and in the media? We discuss this, how the routine dehumanisation of brown skinned people has lead to desensitisation when it comes to coverage of Palestine, and why we need to push beyond 'representation'. Plus, your round up of the headlines through a Media Storm lens - Government policies putting a dampener on Pride Month, a hidden story about Israeli interference in the ICC that didn't make it to the mainstream, does the media gives Nigel Farage a free pass, and was the viral AI-generated 'All Eyes on Rafah' image 'slacktivism'? Joining Helena this week is GUEST HOST Coco Khan (Pod Save the UK) We are joined in the studio by Sharan Dhaliwal, founder of feminist South Asian magazine Burnt Roti, and Shaista Aziz, ex-Labour councillor, journalist, and director of The Three Hijabis. Hosts: Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) Music: Samfire (@soundofsamfire) Assistant Producer: Katie Grant Support Media Storm on Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As South Africans head to the polls, Media Storm is seizing the opportunity to break out of the Western worldview. Last season, former UN Security Council President Kishore Mahbubani criticised the "arrogance" of the UK media and its failure to expose people in 'the West' to how 88% of the world's population see things differently to them. South Africa gives us some clues as to why. Their coverage of the raging conflict in Gaza paints a far more black-and-white narrative of events, condemning Israeli "apartheid" and "genocide" against Palestinians. Meanwhile, coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine muddies the stark solidarity expressed in Western media. We speak to South African Political Analyst Mpumelelo Mkhabela, comedian Tats Nkonzo, and South African former politician Andrew Feinstein about Israel-Palestine and Russia-Ukraine. And we hear from South Africans spanning classes, genders, races, ages to hear how their voting today – collectively, their testimonies tell us as much about our own democracies as theirs. Hosts: Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) and Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) Music: @soundofsamfire Support us on Patreon! patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Content warning: mentions of violence against women, rape, and assault. This episode was recorded just before the general election was announced! Register to vote here. This week, it was reported the number of Met police officers being dismissed reached a new peak. A police officer has been handed a guilty sentence for assault, after arresting and handcuffing a Black woman over an apparent bus fare evasion. And last year the Casey Review found the Met Police was institutionally sexist, racist and homophobic. Have we made any progress? And is reform possible? If one bad apple spoils the barrel... Joining Helena this week is GUEST HOST Coco Khan (Pod Save the UK) This week, we are joined by Patsy Stevenson - the campaigner, equal rights activist, and writer who was awarded damages by the Met Police after being forcibly arrested in 2021 at the Clapham Common vigil for Sarah Everard. We're also joined by Dr Leyla Hussein - psychotherapist and activist, specialising in supporting survivors of sexual abuse. She's the founder of the Dahlia Project, the first counselling service specifically for survivors of female genital mutilation (FGM), and the co-founder of Safe Spaces for Black Women. Plus, your round-up of the headlines through a Media Storm lens - we discuss the Government's new sex education proposals (have your say here), a failed crackdown on protesting, and a hidden climate headline you might have missed. Hosts: Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) Music: Samfire (@soundofsamfire) Assistant Producer: Katie Grant Researcher: Sophie Clark Support Media Storm on Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The climate crisis is wreaking havoc in headlines this week: heatwaves in southeast Asia, flooding in Kenya and Brazil, and exotic spiders smuggling their way into the UK - all this marks a record leap in atmospheric CO2. One climate-related story has haunted UK news cycles for almost five years: The London mayor’s controversial Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). Yet it's not reported as a climate story at all - so much as a political one. This week, we're joined by Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, mother of the Ella, the only person in the world with pollution listed as her legal cause of death. She tells us air pollution is a human story, not a political one. We're also joined by Akshat Rathi, award winning climate reporter at Bloomberg Green, host of the podcast 'Zero', and author of Climate Capitalism, to discuss solutions-focussed climate reporting. Plus, your round up of the headlines through a Media Storm lens - we discuss Rwanda, Voter ID, the power of boycotts at Eurovision and The Great Escape festival, and why no journalist should doorstop national treasure Rylan's mum. Hosts: Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) Music: Samfire (@soundofsamfire) Assistant Producer: Katie Grant Support Media Storm on Patreon patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There’s a morbid theme to Media Storm’s first new weekly format - but that’s ok because it’s Dying Matters Awareness Week so we all need to get talking about death! Our key voices today are people with terminal illnesses - as we discuss the late Kris Hallenga’s legacy beyond 'CoppaFeel!' and the debates on assisted dying laws unfolding across the British Isles. And - we reveal the inside scoop on a controversial BBC documentary dropping next week on ‘assisted suicide’. Plus, your round up of the headlines through a Media Storm lens - if you read right-leaning papers you’ll have gotten an eyeful, but left-leaning readers are left in the dark… We pick apart a divisive story about a Holocaust Memorial Day protest in Poland. It’s a story that tells us more about the media than what’s actually happening on the ground. This episode features lived experience speakers Jenny Carruthers, Kit, Gareth, Anne and Warwick. Plus Lord Charlie Falconer, comedian and host of Conversations in Company Isabelle Farah, and Sarah Wootton from Dignity in Dying. Access their open letter here. Hosts: Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) Music: Samfire (@soundofsamfire) Assistant Producer: Katie Grant Read our Q&A in PodBible! Support Media Storm on Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back for Series 4! It’s been a while, so here's your refresher episode which tells you everything you need to know about Media Storm - plus, we tell you all about our new format! Media Storm is dedicated to platforming the most important people in the story– the ones living it. Despite them, ironically, being the most absent from mainstream news. Every Thursday, we’ll be using our Media Storm lens to bring you the biggest news story of the week and dissect the headlines as usual - except on this current affairs show, you’ll hear from the people actually living the news stories…  Make sure you're subscribed to be the first in the know! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media Storm returns next week! Get a taste for what is to come from your essential guide to today’s chaotic clickbait climate. It's your weekly current affairs round-up - but not as you know it. Featuring cross-platform comparisons, shrewd bullsh*t-radars, and finding the facts behind the fear-mongering, Media Storm is guaranteed to leave you with plenty to talk about. Out weekly, every Thursday from May 2nd. Follow us @mediastormpod @helenawadia @mathildamall Become a supporter: patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, the roles are reversed as your Media Storm hosts become the interviewees! Helena Wadia & Mathilda Mallinson sit down in conversation with journalist Masuma Ahuja on Little Revolutions, a podcast by Freeda. Little Revolutions is a series of conversations about the double standards, societal problems, and systemic injustices that feel bigger than any one of us. Every week, guests share relatable little revolutions they’re making in their own lives and the ways in which we can all be changemakers. Helena & Mathilda discuss setting up Media Storm, what they would say to their younger selves, and give you juicy stories from working inside the mainstream media. Follow us! Freeda @freeda_en Masuma Ahuja @masumaahuja Mathilda Mallinson @mathildamall Helena Wadia @helenawadia Media Storm @mediastormpod We've launched a Patreon. If you want to support us for a small monthly fee, head to patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Access the episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4vphsyps Warning: This episode contains mentions of suicide Justyna Wydrzyñska is appealing a criminal conviction in Poland for sending abortion pills to a desperate woman in an abusive relationship. She joins us in an exclusive interview about feminist solidarity, hope in hard times, and the empty promises of political campaigns.   As almost every country in the world moves to steadily liberalise abortion access and women’s reproductive rights, four male presidents have done the opposite, making radical antidemocratic maneuvers to clamp down on women’s bodily autonomy.   Among them, the USA, where the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade and deprived a generation of women of a constitutional right they had always known.   And Poland, where the Law and Justice Party has infiltrated the courts and virtually eradicated legal access to abortion. But October’s historic election overturned their majority, as women and young people flocked to the polls in record numbers. Abortion was centre stage in the campaigns and one woman’s case was at the heart of it all.   As well as Justyna, we hear from Amnesty International UK’s lead for Women’s Human Rights, Chiara Capraro, and US abortion rights activist Renee Bracey Sherman, about worldwide trends and mainstream media misinformation. This episode is brought to you as part of Amnesty International’s Write for Rights campaign – get involved: https://tinyurl.com/3usebvje   The episode was created by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). The music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire). Subscribe to our Patreon for access to FOI data, extended video interviews and more: https://www.patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast   Sources Impact of Poland’s 2020 abortion restriction: https://tinyurl.com/2whhc5tf Universal Declaration of Human Rights: https://tinyurl.com/yeykpstx Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Support Media Storm’s work from as little as £3 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast  The war in Gaza involves everyone, as the global community is drawn onto a battlefield of competing sympathies - sympathies that should coexist. Propagandists, Islamophobes and antisemites alike are pushing black-and-white narratives that feed violence and hate. The independent press should be a bulwark against this. But we do not think the press are doing enough. Western news media is failing to educate the public about geopolitical biases, and to expose us to worldviews that challenge our own. We cannot hand our listeners the truth, but we can better equip you to identify it. In this investigation, Media Storm uncovers firsthand stories of militancy in Northern Ireland and Apartheid South Africa which shine new light on terror and resistance: Tony Doherty, the son of a Bloody Sunday victim who sought justice through the IRA, and Black South African freedom fighters who waged war against the Apartheid. Testimonies of "terrorism" are largely absent from mainstream news. We believe that seeking out human perspectives to explain resistance and radicalism is not only a journalist’s right, but a journalist’s imperative. We have very special guests joining for our season 3 finale. They challenge listeners to look beyond the Western worldview and teach us how to spot propaganda in the news: former UN Security Council President, Kishore Mahbubani; Lebanese war reporter and journalism professor, Zahera Harb; and Afghan author and political refugee, Gulwali Passarlay. The episode is created by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). The music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire). Tayyibah Apabhai assisted as researcher. Learn more Download Kishore Mahbubani’s free e-book, along with 3.3 million other users: https://mahbubani.net/the-asian-21st-century/ Read Tony Doherty’s autobiography, This Man’s Wee Boy… …and Gulwali Passarlay’s: The Lightless Sky Speakers Tony Doherty @tonydutchdoc Liberation Struggle for War Veterans, South Africa Kishore Mahbubani @mahbubani_k Zahera Harb @HarbZ1 Gulwali Passarlay @gulwali_passarlay More on Media Storm Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod Email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com Website https://mediastormpodcast.com   Media Storm first launched from the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey listeners! We've launched a Patreon. If you want to support us for a small monthly fee, head to patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast This is part three of Media Storm's LIVE SHOW at London Podcast Festival! Join us as we look back at the biggest media storm's from 2023 - this week, we talk about the ongoing sexism row in Spanish football, after Luis Rubiales 'kissed' football player Jenni Hermoso without her consent following Spain's World Cup win. With special guests Times journalist Manveen Rana and comedian Athena Kugblenu. Follow: •Manveen Rana @ManveenRana •Athena Kugblenu @athenakugblenu •Helena Wadia @helenawadia •Mathilda Mallinson @mathildamall •Samfire @soundofsamfire Get in touch: •Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod •or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod •or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod •like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod •send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com •check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm was launched by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey listeners! We've launched a Patreon. If you want to support us for a small monthly fee, head to patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast This is part two of Media Storm's LIVE SHOW at London Podcast Festival!  Join us as we look back at the biggest media storm's from 2023, including the Titan submersible implosion - and next week, the ongoing sexism row in Spanish football.  With special guests Times journalist Manveen Rana and comedian Athena Kugblenu.  Follow: •Manveen Rana @ManveenRana •Athena Kugblenu @athenakugblenu •Helena Wadia @helenawadia •Mathilda Mallinson @mathildamall •Samfire @soundofsamfire Get in touch: •Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod •or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod •or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod •like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod •send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com •check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm was launched by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey listeners! We've launched a Patreon. If you want to support us for a small monthly fee, head to patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast This is part one of Media Storm's LIVE SHOW at London Podcast Festival! Join us as we look back at the biggest media storm's from 2023, including the Huw Edwards scandal and - in the next two weeks - the Titan submersible implosion and the ongoing sexism row in Spanish football. With special guests Times journalist Manveen Rana and comedian Athena Kugblenu. Follow: Manveen Rana @ManveenRana Athena Kugblenu @athenakugblenu Helena Wadia @helenawadia Mathilda Mallinson @mathildamall Samfire @soundofsamfire Get in touch: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm was launched by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey listeners! We've launched a Patreon. If you want to support us for a small monthly fee, head to patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast A few weeks ago we released an episode about temporary accommodation, social housing, and how the media reports on it - if you haven't heard it, scroll back and search for "Housing crisis: A lifetime in 'temporary' accommodation". In this bonus episode, you'll hear us discussing an article that we couldn't quite fit into the main episode - from the Daily Mail, the headline reads "Fury as migrants allowed out of RAF asylum accommodation 'riddled with scurvy and scabies' to stay with relatives - with some even being 'moved back to taxpayer funded hotels'" Our guest, Kwajo Tweneboa, is a social issues campaigner leading the charge for meaningful housing reform. But another social issue he cares deeply about is refugee rights. And in this bonus episode, we’re going to see how the two meet - how those in insecure housing and refugees are often pitted against each other, to distract us from the real problem. Follow: Kwajo Tweneboa @Kwajotweneboa Helena Wadia @helenawadia Mathilda Mallinson @mathildamall Samfire @soundofsamfire Get in touch: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm was launched by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Content warning: This episode discusses rape, sexual assault, and gender-based violence. If you need support, you can call Rape Crisis for free on 0808 500 2222 This week - though an 'open secret' in the media industry - it was revealed by the Times, the Sunday Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches that Russell Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse.  Four women have alleged sexual assaults between 2006 and 2013, others have made a range of accusations about Brand’s controlling, abusive and predatory behaviour. More women have come forward since the article and documentary aired. Brand denied the allegations and said his relationships have all been consensual, and said there is a mainstream media conspiracy theory to take him down. In this bonus episode, we address Brand's announcement of a 'mainstream media conspiracy', plus other reactionary statements including 'Why didn't she say anything before?', 'What about false accusations?', and - often the biggest statement when rich and famous men are accused of sexual assault - 'Innocent until proven guilty!'. To address the crucial context of systemic failures that’s often missing from the conversation on rape convictions, we then revisit our Series 1 investigation: "Rape Justice: What happens to the 98%?" The charge rate of rape is less than 2%. The investigation features rape survivors not just from the UK, but from the US and Europe too: however varied their experiences or assault, silence and injustice are themes that shape them all. They attest to the multitude of reasons why victims may not go to the police; and why even when they DO go to the police, they may come to regret it. Sources: CPS Q3 and Q4 reports for 2022-2023 Speakers: Alison Turkos @alisonturkos Pieke Roelofs @pieke_r www.photoandgrime.com Verity Nevitt @veritynevitt www.thegeminiproject.org Dame Vera Baird, Victim’s Commissioner @VictimsComm Sarah Crew, National Police Chiefs Council @aspsarah_crew Siobhan Blake, Crown Prosecution Service @CPSUK @crownprosecutors Your hosts are @helenawadia and @mathildamall. Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire. We've launched a Patreon. If you want to support us for a small monthly fee, head to patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast Media Storm was launched by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode transcript: https://mediastormpodcast.com/2023/09/14/3-11-the-solutions-undoing-an-institutionally-racist-police-force/ Join Media Storm LIVE at Kings Place, London, Saturday 16th Sep, 7pm: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/media-storm-2/   This is the final instalment of Media Storm’s three-part investigation into racially discriminatory police recruitment: and it’s time to talk solutions.   What needs to be done to ensure that Black applicants to UK police forces are no longer 60% more likely to be rejected than White ones? Is internal reform enough, or are more radical measures needed?   This episode investigates positive action schemes and revolutionary models of community policing. The hosts brainstorm with the UK’s best-performing police force when it comes to minority pass rates, Dyfed-Powys in Wales, as well as former and serving police officers with expertise in recruitment and lived experience of racial profiling and discrimination.   The episode is created by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). The music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire).   Subscribe to Media Storm on Patreon for access to our FOI data: https://www.patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast    Guests Karen Geddes, The Thin Black Line @KarenGeddesQPM Karyn Howells, Dyfed-Powys Recruitment Lead Nia Rees, Dyfed-Powys Positive Action Officer Dr Pete Jones, psychologist @fatwhitebloke Brendan O’Brien, Bluelight founder Charles Ehikioya, Metropolitan Black Police Association @ChazzzaCr   Contact us Twitter, Insta, TikTok, Facebook: @mediastormpod Email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com   Media Storm first launched from the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode transcript: https://mediastormpodcast.com/2023/09/14/3-10-why-are-so-many-black-people-being-rejected-from-the-police-force/ Join Media Storm LIVE at Kings Place, London, Saturday 16th Sep, 7pm: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/media-storm-2/   Last week, Media Storm made national headlines after uncovering proof that UK police recruiters were rejecting ethnic minorities at discriminatory rates. Today we ask: why?   What stages of the recruitment process are causing this disparity? What social factors besides ethnicity are playing a role?   We put these questions to seniors in the National Police Chiefs Council, Black Police Association and Metropolitan Police, police officers who’ve been through the process, and research experts. Join us for a thorough autopsy of the assessment process, a process Black applicants are 60% more likely to fail than White ones.   The episode is created by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). The music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire).   Buy the team a coffee on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast    Guests Brendan O’Brien, Bluelight Janette McCormick, Uplift and National Police Chief’s Council @jem7069 Andy George, President of National Black Police Association @andygeorgeni Dr Pete Jones, psychologist @fatwhitebloke Leroy Loga, Black Police Association co-founder @LeroyLogan999 Charles Ehikioya, Metropolitan Black Police Association @ChazzzaCr Karen Geddes, The Thin Black Line @KarenGeddesQPM   Sources Subscribe to Media Storm on Patreon for access to FOI data: https://www.patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast  Baroness Casey report: https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/met/about-us/baroness-casey-review/update-march-2023/baroness-casey-review-march-2023a.pdf   Contact us Twitter, Insta, TikTok, Facebook: @mediastormpod Email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com   Media Storm first launched from the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: https://mediastormpodcast.com/2023/09/04/3-9-an-institutionally-racist-police-force-process-of-elimination-pt-1/ Join Media Storm LIVE at Kings Place, London, Saturday 16th Sep, 7pm: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/media-storm-2/   This is the first in a three-part Media Storm investigation into institutional racism in UK police forces. In it, we provide statistical evidence of institutional racism at a recruitment level and, with the help of lived experience, identify where it is occurring and how to fix it.   This investigation follows the conclusion of Police Uplift, a three-year initiative by the Conservative Government to recruit 20,000 new police officers. This was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure police forces represent the communities they serve, an opportunity that the government and National Police Chief’s Council promised would be seized.   Yet Media Storm’s data falsifies a key assumption informing their diversity schemes, one that is also used to excuse slow progress: the idea that People of Colour are less likely to apply to be police officers than people of White British ethnicity. For Police Uplift, Media Storm reveals, Minority Ethnic groups were over-represented among police candidates, but underrepresented among those appointed.   This proves that the problem lies not with communities but with the assessment process, during which minorities are eliminated at discriminatory rates. Join Media Storm and guest experts for an in-depth dive into what is going wrong, as we ask the question: What does “institutional racism” actually mean?   The episode is created by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). The music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire).   Buy the team a coffee on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast    Guests Dr Pete Jones @fatwhitebloke Chris Donaldson, co-founding member of National Black Police Association @trojan1963 Andy George, President of NBPA @andygeorgeni   Sources Subscribe to Media Storm on Patreon for access to FOI data: https://www.patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast  Police Uplift appointment data (can beaccessed quarterly): https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-officer-uplift-quarterly-update-to-march-2023 Police Uplift announcement: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/national-campaign-to-recruit-20000-police-officers-launches-today Ethnic representation preceding Uplift: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/955182/police-workforce-mar20-hosb2020.pdf   Media Storm first launched from the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey listeners! We've launched a Patreon. If you want to support us for a small monthly fee, head to patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast Media Storm will be LIVE at London Podcast Festival, Saturday 16th September at 7pm. BOOK your tickets now: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/media-storm-2/ Content warning: This episode features mentions of domestic abuse, self-harm, and addiction. The definition of temporary is ‘lasting for only a limited period of time; not permanent’. Yet in the UK, more and more families are finding themselves in temporary accommodation which feels anything but short-lived. With reports of people living for multiple years in so-called 'temporary' housing, just last month, government statistics showed that the number of households in temporary accommodation in England had hit a 25-year high: nearly 105,000 households, including more than 131,000 children. And that's not all - we've heard from families who have lived together in one hotel room for months on end, who have stayed in places with damp, mould, a lack of heating, or worse. So how is this ever worsening crisis solved? This week, Media Storm sets out to speak to people who have lived in temporary accommodation and ask them what they think the solutions are. Plus, we hear from the chair of the London Housing Panel about bringing lived experience into policy-making, and from London's Deputy Mayor for Housing Tom Copely. We are joined in the studio by social issues campaigner and presenter Kwajo Tweneboa, who, after experiencing the UK housing crisis first-hand, is leading the charge for meaningful housing reform. Featured: With thanks to Aishah Siddiqa at Heard heard.org.uk, the charity working with people and the media to inspire content and communication that changes hearts and minds, for putting us in touch with Rebecca, Aga, and Jenni. @londonrentersunion @tomcopley trustforlondon.org.uk/what-we-do/housing/london-housing-panel/ @kwajotweneboa Sources: English Housing Survey data https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/english-housing-survey-2015-to-2016-headline-report  Latest figures on temp housing https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statutory-homelessness-in-england-january-to-march-2023/statutory-homelessness-in-england-january-to-march-2023 Your hosts are @helenawadia and @mathildamall. Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire. Media Storm was launched by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media Storm will be LIVE at London Podcast Festival, Saturday 16th September at 7pm. BOOK your tickets now:  https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/media-storm-2/  If you're a Lord of the Rings fan, you may know Nazanin Boniadi from her portrayal of Bronwyn in the Rings of Power. If you follow her online, you may be aware of her determined activism.  Since 2008, Nazanin has represented Amnesty International’s campaigns for the restoration of stolen human rights. In the aftermath of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Nazanin's parents fled Iran for safety in London. Her fight may have started in her mother's womb, but it certainly didn't end there.  Since September 2022, a new revolution has been ongoing in Iran after Mahsa Amini, a 22 year-old woman, died in police custody. Her crime? Allegedly violating Iran’s strict rules requiring women to cover their hair with a hijab. Nazanin has been fighting for the voices of Iranian women & girls to be heard worldwide. In this bonus episode, we speak to Nazanin about how to report on Iran - and crises around the world - without demonising foreign cultures.   Buy the team a coffee on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast  This episode is created by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). The music is by @soundofsamfire. Follow Media Storm at @mediastormpod. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Book Media Storm LIVE at the London Podcast Festival, Saturday 16th Sep at 7pm: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/media-storm-2/ Aid budgets have been hit hard by Covid and economic upheaval. But the hardest hit of all are women and girls. Just last week, UK headlines revealed the government’s slashes to humanitarian aid mean hundreds of thousands more women will face unsafe abortions and deaths from pregnancy - by their own assessment. Why are women worse affected? Because crisis is sexist. When disaster strikes, women are 17 times more likely to die than men. But they are underrepresented in decision-making about how aid is distributed, and so the solutions rarely reflect this. For World Humanitarian Day, Media Storm has partnered with the International Rescue Committee to platform the lived experience of women in disaster zones— not just as victims, but as leaders of solutions. The IRC makes a conscious effort to place women at the centre of emergency responses, and has connected us with pioneers in Yemen, Pakistan and the world’s biggest refugee camp: Kakuma, in Kenya. We also hear voices from Afghanistan, Nigeria and North American indigenous communities, who reveal how conflict and climate change disproportionately impact women and girls. We are joined in the studio by Amnesty ambassador Nazanin Boniadi (who also fights for justice in Middle Earth - see The Rings of Power), to look at how a male-dominated mainstream media and Eurocentric headlines can hide the realities facing women of the world. We look at the unique case of Iran, where women have revolted following the state murder of Jina Mahsa Amini, and the press’ crucial role in fighting for human rights for everybody. Buy the team a coffee on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast  The episode is created by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). The music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire). Featured Shabnam Baloch, IRC country director in Pakistan (@Shabnambalouch1) Rachel Heaton, Mazaska Talks (@MazaskaTalks) IRC (@RESCUEorg) Amnesty (@AmnestyUK, @amnesty) Nazanin Boniadi (@NazaninBoniadi) Sources Intro: https://www.undp.org/blog/women-are-hit-hardest-disasters-so-why-are-responses-too-often-gender-blind  Kakuma: https://data.unhcr.org/en/country/ken/796  UK aid cuts: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9663/ ; https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/climate-and-people/uk-g7-country-cut-aid-covid-pandemic/  Contact us Twitter, Insta, TikTok, Facebook: @mediastormpod Email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com   Media Storm first launched from the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Come to our LIVE SHOW at London Podcast Festival! Saturday 16th September at 7pm https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/media-storm-2/ For this week's bonus episode, two podcasts have joined forces: Media Storm and Immigrantly! Immigrantly is a podcast that discusses deeply personal conversations around race, identity, and the immigrant experience, hosted by Saadia Khan. Media Storm host Helena was on Saadia's podcast a few weeks ago to discuss her life as a second generation immigrant in London. You can hear that episode here, but first, Mathilda and Helena sat down with Saadia to find out more about her, her life from Pakistan to America, and why she set up Immigrantly. Get in touch: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Find out more about Immigrantly: immigrantlypod.com Follow Saadia Khan @kh_saadi Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire.  Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

LIVE SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT: Media Storm will be live at the London Podcast Festival this September, on Saturday 16th at 7pm! Book tickets now to join us as we breakdown the craziest headlines of 2023: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/media-storm-2/ Around the world, El Niño is causing extreme weather events and soaring global temperatures to alarming levels. Meanwhile in the UK, Labour is playing internal blame-games after a by-election defeat in Boris Johnson’s old seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip. What do these two stories have in common? Running through the UK’s political factionalism is a debate over London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s plan to expand ULEZ. This is a debate about climate policy, but climate is missing from its coverage. In this bonus episode, Mathilda and Helena discuss the week’s top headlines and the missing links between them. We’ll then revisit a studio discussion with climate podcast producer Thimali Kodikara, to examine what the mainstream media could be doing better. Buy the team a coffee on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast  This bonus episode is created by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). The music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire). More on Media Storm Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm was first launched the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warning: strong language and mention of rape LIVE SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT: Media Storm will be LIVE at the London Podcast Festival this September, on Saturday 16th at 7pm! Book tickets now to join us as we breakdown the craziest headlines of 2023: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/media-storm-2/ Are trans rights a threat to women? Or is that narrative itself the real threat? Actor, author and activist Charlie Craggs joins Helena and Mathilda in the studio for this week's bonus episode, to pick apart mainstream media efforts to pitch cis women against their trans counterparts: where has it come from, who is it serving, and how is it being weaponised against women themselves? The hosts also spill the beans from their trip to Parliament, which took an unexpected turn for the transphobic. Buy the girls a coffee on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast  This bonus episode is created by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). The music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire). More on Media Storm Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com   Media Storm was first launched the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey listeners! We've launched a Patreon. If you want to support us for a small monthly fee, head to patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast Scotland recently joined approximately 30 countries in implementing a progressive gender self-identification law. The Gender Recognition Reform Bill, aiming to streamline the process of transgender people obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate, passed by 86 votes to 39. But the celebrations were short-lived.  The British government - or, one member of that government, the Scottish Secretary of State Alister Jack, - blocked the Bill in an unprecedented move and constitutional first. Fears were cited that legislation could have an adverse impact on the Equality Act 2010, and therefore across the UK in areas like single sex spaces. Transgender people do not need a Gender Recognition Certificate to access any single-sex spaces. But across the media, Scotland’s Gender Recognition Reform Bill was linked with transgender access to single-sex spaces. So what happened? What changes did the Bill actually propose? This week, Media Storm speaks to transgender people who have applied for Gender Recognition Certificates, about what the changes mean in real life, and asks what we can learn from other countries like Iceland and Ireland that already have progressive Self-ID laws in place. We're joined in the studio by author, actress, and activist Charlie Craggs to discuss media representation of the transgender community and gender self-ID.  Speakers: Arthur Webber @BernieTranders  Asher Gibson @gibson_asher @A_B_Gbsn Ugla Stefanía Kristjönudóttir Jónsdóttir (Owl) @uglastefania Aoife Martin @aoifemrtn Charlie Craggs @charlie_craggs With thanks to Heard heard.org.uk The voice of 'Sarah' is Theo Stinson  Sources: Scotland Ministerial Statement https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/ministerial-statement-challenge-to-the-uk-governments-section-35-order-on-the-gender-recognition-reform-scotland-bill-april-19-2023  Statement of reasons related to the use of section 35 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statement-of-reasons-related-to-the-use-of-section-35-of-the-scotland-act-1998 Gender Recognition Reform Bill factsheet https://www.gov.scot/publications/gender-recognition-reform-scotland-bill-more-information/ Scotland's trans self-ID bill no risk for women https://www.reuters.com/article/britain-scotland-lgbt-idUSL8N33949W Mermaids’ research into newspaper coverage on trans issues https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/news/exclusive-mermaids-research-into-newspaper-coverage-on-trans-issues/ Your hosts are @helenawadia and @mathildamall. Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire. Media Storm was launched by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Media Storm went to Parliament!  Helena & Mathilda were in the halls of Westminster to speak to MPs and Parliamentarians about misogyny in the media: how the media can responsibly report on domestic abuse and gender-based violence, and why lived-experience should be at the heart of reporting.  We were invited by Hacked Off (@hackedoffcampaign), the group calling for reform of UK press self-regulation. We were joined by Impress (@impress_org), a self-regulatory body for UK publishers, The Fawcett Society (@fawcettsociety), the UK's leading charity campaigning for gender equality and women's rights, and Melanie Skyes (@msmelaniesykes), TV presenter and Editor-in-chief of the The Frank Magazine. You can also buy Melanie's new book 'Illuminated' now! In this bonus episode, you can hear from the amazing women who spoke in Parliament, and then listen back to part of Media Storm's third ever episode - where we spoke with two gender equality activists, Dr Leyla Hussain and Gina Martin, about how the mainstream media upholds misogyny and depicts victims of sexual assault - and what we should do about it.  If you are a victim of domestic violence, you can call Refuge for free on 0808 2000 247 Get in touch Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire.  Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the full uncut discussion with Leroy Logan and Chantelle Lunt, subscribe to our Patreon: patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast The Conservatives succeeded in their manifesto pledge to recruit 20,000 new police officers by 2023. But with growing awareness of sexism, racism and violent offending within the police, is this for better or worse? Media Storm has uncovered early evidence that racist recruitment practices were at play, with Black applicants more than 40% more likely to be rejected than White applicants. This finding is consistent with data from the College of Policing that spans forces across England and Wales, as well as averages taken across the 12 individual forces that provided Media Storm access to their records. A spokeswoman from the College of Policing responded: “Policing is currently more diverse than it has ever been before. Our data which is based on all 43 forces within England and Wales shows an increase of 15.9% of Ethnic Minority and 19.3% of Black candidates passing the assessment process since May 2020, ensuring we are now better able than ever to represent the communities we are serving.   "College of Policing encourages all forces to interview candidates following success at the online assessment process. We provide guidance on the interview process to ensure all recruits are consistently and fairly assessed to the same high standards.   "Whilst we are proud that policing is the most diverse it has ever been, we recognise that there is more to be done to be a fully inclusive organisation. We are working hard alongside forces to understand all aspects of the recruitment process and how to ensure it is as fair and consistent as possible.” Media Storm is off in search of police officers who will tell us what’s going on behind the PR machine. They shine a light on internal problems ranging from grassroots cultures to leadership structures, and external problems like politics and (yes, you guessed it) the mainstream media. Mathilda and Helena are joined in the studio by Dr Leroy Logan MBE (@LeroyLogan999), founding member of the Black Police Association and one of the original officers to testify to institutional racism during the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, and Chantelle Lunt (@chantellelunt), Merseyside police officer-turned-BLM Leader. They pick apart mainstream media mistruths and policing PR and discuss how we can work together to bring about positive change. The episode is created by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). The music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire). Learn more: Watch “G’s” story in the BAFTA-winning short film, The Black Cop, online at The Guardian Listen to Oliver Laurence’s Protect and Serve wherever you get your podcasts Read The Thinner Blue Line, by Sophie A. Matthews Speakers: Dr Pete Jones @fatwhitebloke Gamal ‘G’ Turawa @PurpleWisdom Sophie A Matthews @sophieamatt Owen West @PolicingCrowds Adam Pugh @AdamPugh Oliver Laurence @Protect_ServeUK Media Storm was first launched the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Support Media Storm’s ethical journalism on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast It’s World Refugee Week and the results are in: join us as we crunch the latest numbers on global displacement, to see how Europe and the UK are ranking on the hospitality charts. Spoiler: it’s not very well. This bonus episode combines new data with lived experience testimonies, as we revisit some of the stories from our first ever episode, ‘El Dorado: Why do refugees love the UK?’ The episode is created by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). The music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire). Sources: UK asylum seekers: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn01403/ EU asylum seekers: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/migr_asyappctza/default/table?lang=en National population data: https://population.un.org/wpp/ More on Media Storm Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com   Media Storm was first launched from the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey listeners! We've launched a Patreon. If you want to support us for a small monthly fee, head to patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast What words come to mind when you hear the word 'strikes'? Delays, cancellations, chaos? With 'misery for ordinary people!' brandished across our headlines, it’s easy to see strikes as a general nuisance. But this week's episode of Media Storm looks beyond the everyday grumblings of train delays and travel chaos, to ask the question “what have trade unions ever done for me?” Spoiler alert - quite a lot it seems. Focussing on three key areas of union achievements - health & safety rights, wage increases, and equal pay - we speak to strikers standing on the shoulders of the first trade unionists. Hear from a Bristol midwife struggling with poor conditions who felt balloting for industrial action was the only answer, the then 23-year-old leader if the 2017 McStrike (who got the date tattooed on her arm!), and one of the warriors that won Glasgow women back almost three quarters of a billion pounds of stolen wages. In the studio, we have General-Secretary of the ASLEF union Mick Whelan - who is no stranger to tough media rounds, to dissect the myths and latest headlines about strikes, unions, and workers - and tell us whether he really did schedule a rail strike over Eurovision... Speakers: Ewan Gibbs @ewangibbs Sophie Inman @midwives_rcm @MidwivesRCM Rhea Wolfson @rheawolfson Shen Batmaz  Mick Whelan @ASLEFunion Sources: Scottish coal mining death rates eprints.gla.ac.uk/210374/7/210374.pdf  Working class journalists pressgazette.co.uk/media-audience-and-business-data/journalists-class-backgrounds/  Royal College of Midwives rcm.org.uk  Glasgow council equal pay dispute gmbscotland.org.uk/assets/media/documents/unionline/ULS-News-October-2018.pdf  The McStrike waronwant.org/our-work/mcstrike Get in touch: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Your hosts are @helenawadia and @mathildamall. Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire.  Media Storm was launched by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this week’s bonus episode, Helena and Mathilda have an announcement to make… they have started a Patreon! You can access it at https://www.patreon.com/MediaStormPodcast This is a chance for us to build a community space for our Media Storm listeners, where we can discuss ideas, share bonus material and get to know you all a little better! It’s also a chance for you to contribute to the work being done at Media Storm, if and how you can. In this bonus episode, we’re also trialling some new bonus material as requested by listeners. You’ll hear an uncut interview from last week’s investigation about 'Medical cannabis and the criminalisation of chronic pain'. If you haven’t yet heard it, we encourage you to go back and listen first. This raw material features our full-length interview with Dr Steve Hajioff, who will tell you all you need to know about how cannabis regulation works in the UK, and how cannabis interacts with the body to produce medicinal effects. It should also gives you some sense of just how much interview time goes into a single one of our investigations - which typically contain five or more interviews like this, all cut together in a 20-minute adventure! Get in touch and let us know what kind of bonus material you’d like to see - whether it’s raw material like this, more episodes of our ‘This Is How You Do It’ interview series featuring media change makers, offcuts from studio discussions, Q&As with listeners, or anything else at all. You can reach us at mediastormpodcast@gmail.com or on social media @mediastormpod. The episode is created by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). The music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire). More on Media Storm Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chronic pain is a silent pandemic affecting somewhere between 8 and 28 million people in the UK alone. Recent headlines (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65596283) reveal it’s contributing to 2.5 million Brits leaving work. But more alarming still, is our response. The UK prescribes more opioid pain killers per capita than any other country in the world. This is in spite of NHS guidelines warning against its use for chronic pain. It is also in spite of a US opioid crisis that has plagued the nation with half a million fatal overdoses. But opioids are not the only option. Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK for almost five years, yet fewer than five people have ever been prescribed it on the NHS for chronic pain. Private clinics, by contrast, have issued over 89,000 prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis medicines not available on the NHS. Those who cannot afford private healthcare are left with a difficult choice: legal opioids, or illegal cannabinoids. And over a million are choosing the latter. Join us as we explore the UK’s thriving black medical market, meeting patients, police officers, doctors and dealers. We also hear from those driving the UK's legal market in the face of many barriers, such as Arthur Wakeley, Managing Director of Celadon Pharmaceuticals Plc, and patients on their breakthrough clinical trial, who are fighting to spread awareness and acceptance of a plant that has been medically celebrated around the world for centuries, but painted as the world's worst drug in our own. Mathilda and Helena are joined in the studio by football pro and chronic pain warrior Stevo (@stevothemadman: also known for his unhinged comedy stunts storming social media!). They examine the mainstream media’s approach to medical cannabis, asking questions of accuracy, balance and blatant mistruths.  The episode is created by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). The music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire). Guests Maria Kalinowska @m.a.kamera Arthur Wakeley @CeladonPharmaceuticals (LinkedIn) Jon Robson @mamedicauk Stevo the Madman @stevothemadman Sources Chronic pain figures: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/ https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20130105021744/http:/www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/AnnualReports/DH_096206 Licensed cannabis medicines UK https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/improving-care/better-mh-policy/position-statements/ps05_19.pdf?sfvrsn=2db968d3_2 Unlicensed cannabis prescription figures UK https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2023-01-06.117459.h&s=cannabis UK opioid prescriptions https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(21)00479-X/fulltext#%20 US opioid deaths https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics/epidemic.html NHS chronic pain guidelines https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng193/chapter/Recommendations#managing-chronic-primary-pain Scale and cost of UK black market https://news.sky.com/story/rise-in-people-using-cannabis-to-treat-health-conditions-but-doctors-warn-patients-are-putting-themselves-at-risk-12828381 Cannabis addiction rates https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2797098/ More on Media Storm Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back with this bonus episode to give you a little bit more of our conversation from Episode 1 on the rise of far-right extremism, and what role the mainstream media has to play. Our guest, Nigel Bromage, was once a member of a far-right group - and now, he runs Exit Hate UK, the charity helping people walk away from far-right extremism. Here, he tells us how they help to alert victims of radicalisation to dangerous fake news. In this bonus episode, we discuss the collapse of trust in the mainstream media, and the explosion of alternative 'news' platforms - and in what ways this feeds the far-right.  You can hear our full investigation into the radicalisation of Andy Leak, the man who bombed a Kent migrant centre last October, and the role played by mainstream news and politics, in the full episode on this topic. Scroll down a little and click on the episode titled 'Radical Thinking: How to fight the Far-Right'.  Get in touch Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire. Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the 29th April 2021, the Domestic Abuse Bill became law. Many called the Bill 'landmark', or 'transformational'. Others called it discriminatory. Why? Because migrant victims with insecure status have ‘no recourse to public funds’ - meaning they cannot access refuges, income support and other state benefits to help them escape abusers. Meanwhile, 'hostile environment' legislation is used to threaten them into silence. The result? Many migrant victims of abuse are stuck in a catch-22: stay with their abuser, or face destitution and deportation. The bill's shortcomings have been put to the government. But in 2021, an amendment was rejected that would extend protections to all migrant women. Two years on, Media Storm speaks to survivors of immigration abuse, and those still fighting for legal reform, to see the real-life results of this omission. We are joined in the studio by Janey Starling, award-winning feminist activist, writer and co-director of gender justice organisation Level Up, to discuss what the media can do better when reporting on domestic abuse. Janey spearheaded the UK’s first media guidelines on responsibly reporting domestic homicide, which are now backed by all press regulators and multiple newsrooms - find them below! Speakers:  Somiya Basar @BasarSomiya Elizabeth Jiménez-Yáñez, Latin American Women's Rights Service @elizajiya @lawrsuk Nicole Jacobs @CommissionerDA Dr Hannana Siddiqui, Southall Black Sisters @hannanasiddiqui @SBSisters Janey Starling @janeyjstarling @we_level_up @levelup_uk With thanks to Heard heard.org.uk If you are a victim of domestic violence, you can call Refuge for free on 0808 2000 247 Sources: Media guidelines for reporting domestic homicide https://www.welevelup.org/active-campaigns/media-guidelines-domestic-abuse/  Safety before Status: The Solutions: https://domesticabusecommissioner.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Safety-before-status-The-Solutions.pdf   UK police referred victims of domestic abuse to immigration authorities https://www.thedetail.tv/articles/uk-police-forces-referred-thousands-of-migrant-victims-of-crime-to-immigration-authorities Southall Black Sisters respond to Domestic Abuse Bill https://southallblacksisters.org.uk/news/the-struggle-continues-sbs-responds-to-gov-rejection-of-amendments-to-protect-migrant-women/  Get in touch Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire.  Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Every day in the UK 58 people are diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer. 21 will die. Lack of awareness, late referrals and widespread stigma mean people are being denied life-saving diagnoses and treatments. That's why 12th May shall henceforth be known as Get Lippy day! A campaign by The Eve Appeal is determined to get us talking about gynaecological cancer. So in this bonus investigation episode from Media Storm, we meet medical professionals and patients with lessons that could save lives. The episode is hosted by journalist Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall), and features Dr Aziza Sesay (@talkswithdrsesay), Lydia Brain (@lid_jar), Karen Hobbs (@karen_hobbs) and Dr Anita Mitra (@gynaegeek). It was produced by Helena Wadia (@helenawadia) and Mathilda Mallinson. The music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire). Learn more: listen to Media Storm’s investigation into men and HPV. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warning: mentions of sexual violence  As political polarisation stretches us to breaking point, co-hosts Mathilda and Helena head to the shadowy fringes of society to find out what pushes people to the far-right, and how we can pull them back. For its season launch, Media Storm puts these questions to reformed Neo-Nazis, far-right grooming victims and undercover counter-extremists. We investigate the recruitment tactics of violent terrorists attempting to spread hatred, and uncover proof that mainstream media and politicians may be playing into their hands. The episode features a deep-dive into a terrorist attack that no one remembers… the bombing of a Dover migrant centre late last year, that came with comments by the UK Home Secretary about an “invasion on our southern border”. Dr Rajan Basra unveils the untold story of the radicalisation of Andy Leak: what should’ve been a lesson for us all, but was lost to a 24-hour news cycle. For part two, we're joined in the studio by former neo-Nazi, turned founder of Exit Hate UK, Nigel Bromage, to pick apart what the mainstream media could do better to tackle extremism. Exit Hate UK offers non-judgemental support for individuals & families impacted by far-right extremism. For support please contact info@exithate.org Speakers:  Julia Ebner @julie_renbe Dr Rajan Basra @rajanbasra Nigel Bromage @EXITUK1 Sources: Media guidelines for reporting on extremism: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-10/ran_reporting_about_violent_extremism_pcve_challenges_journalists_17082021_en.pdf US press review: https://doi.org/10.1177/0093650220971142 Dover fake news story: https://www.euronews.com/2023/04/20/debunk-did-migrants-throw-rocks-to-block-a-road-near-english-channel-crossing Home Office data on ethnicity and grooming gangs, 2020: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf  Get in touch Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire.  Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media Storm is back on 4 May! Helena and Mathilda take on the mainstream media and embark on new investigations that put people with lived experience back at the centre of the story. Investigations will take us into the worlds of far-right radicalisation and international freedom fighters, elevate the voices of strikers and domestic abuse survivors, and investigate the problematic worlds of medicinal cannabis and UK policing… and that’s just a taste. Make sure you’ve clicked follow so you don’t miss any releases! Get in touch: • Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod • or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod • or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod • like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod • send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com • check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Print is dying. Since the arrival of the internet and fast-paced, free information at the tap of the finger, the news outlets that tell us what’s what have been scrambling to find their footing. Some have been haemorrhaging money for decades, others have become richer than ever. But at what cost? In this special feature to launch our NEXT SEASON, Helena and Mathilda break down the different funding models that make up our mainstream media. They look at the ongoing warfare between ethical interests and economic ones and ask what it really means to be independent in journalism today. We also hear all their plans for the coming new season! Watch. This. Space. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've been nominated for PODCAST OF THE YEAR at the Visionary Arts Awards 2023! Vote here: https://visionaryarts.org.uk/awards/vote/ From diversity and inclusion, to mental health awareness and the climate crisis, the Visionary Arts Awards showcases that people can create a positive change through arts and culture. So if you think Media Storm has made a social impact, we'd love your vote! Plus, we're working on Series 3! We'll be back with a bonus episode next week explaining what we’ve been up to during our series break, and addressing some of the problems facing the journalism industry in keeping independent, ethical reporting alive and well. Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Your hosts are @mathildamall and @helenawadia Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire. Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coming to you from the London Podcast Festival: The Guilty Feminist presents Media Storm’s debut show, live from King’s Place! Presented by journalists Mathilda Mallinson and Helena Wadia, Media Storm is a news podcast that starts with the people who are normally asked last. From migrants to sex workers, trans to indigenous people, convicted criminals to Romani communities— Media Storm puts people with lived experience at the centre of their stories. In this bonus episode, Mathilda and Helena welcome comedians Deborah Frances-White and Isabelle Farah to discuss comedy's cultural power, comedians getting 'cancelled', and if and when jokes can go 'too far'... For more information on The Guilty Feminist and other episodes: visit https://www.guiltyfeminist.com tweet us https://www.twitter.com/guiltfempod like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/guiltyfeminist check out our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theguiltyfeminist or join our mailing list http://www.eepurl.com/bRfSPT For more information on Media Storm: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. The Guilty Feminist theme by Mark Hodge and produced by Nick Sheldon. Photo by Viktor Erik Emanuel/Kings Place Media Storm music by Samfire (@soundofsamfire) Thank you to our amazing Patreon supporters. To support the podcast yourself, go to https://www.patreon.com/guiltyfeminist Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media Storm hosts Mathilda and Helena meet their mainstream media matches! In this crossover bonus series with The Guilty Feminist, they interview journalists trying to make an imperfect industry a little bit less so, about their noble goals and - you guessed it - the hypocrisies and insecurities that undermine them! Brought to you by The Guilty Feminist, every other Thursday. This week’s episode features the BBC World Service’s first global gender and identity correspondent, Megha Mohan (@meghamohan). Her reporting on women's rights, LGBT communities, race and ethnicity has global reach across 41 different languages, has taken her to six continents and includes exclusive interviews with Finland’s all-women coalition government, Samoa’s first woman Prime Minister and pop star Billie Eilish. We discuss global reporting of transgender rights, differences in 'identity politics' in the Global North and South and meritocracy in the media. The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). For more information on The Guilty Feminist and other episodes: visit https://www.guiltyfeminist.com tweet us https://www.twitter.com/guiltfempod like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/guiltyfeminist check out our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theguiltyfeminist or join our mailing list http://www.eepurl.com/bRfSPT   For more information on Media Storm: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com   Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network.   The Guilty Feminist theme is by Mark Hodge and produced by Nick Sheldon. Media Storm music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire). Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warning: Discussions around suicide and assisted dying. If you need someone to talk to, call the Samaritans on 116 123.  It happens to everybody but nobody wants to talk about it: the irony is, it's often the not talking about death that makes it such a terrible thing. For our season finale, we bring you a special-length investigation into the real-life consequences of silence and stigma around dying. Doctors are restricted by it, patients isolated and otherised for it, families unable to prepare and grieve properly, and those who want choice about how they die are denied it and even criminalised. Media Storm speaks to families and individuals affected by terminal illness and grief about the choices and conversations they’d like to have more of. The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia), with research by Eliza Mellor. The music is by @soundofsamfire. With special thanks to On Road Media.  Guests:  Ellie Ball @wee_ellster Dignity in Dying @dignityindying Dr Finella Craig, Great Ormond Street Hospital @GreatOrmondSt Simon Blake @simonblake Hospice UK's Dying Matters Campaign @hospiceuk @DyingMatters Aongola's Story https://bit.ly/3uDnX4N  Resources: On Road Media's Children's Palliative Care project: https://bit.ly/3FyNdiY Jessie May Children's Hospices at Home: jessiemay.org.uk Together For Short Lives: https://bit.ly/2s8yYuu Simon Blake's blog https://bit.ly/3izLxNa Sisters & Brothers: Stories about the death of a sibling, by Julie Bentley and Simon Blake https://amzn.to/3VCFcPG Sources: Terminal illness and 'suicide' https://bit.ly/3XZpPmd ONS findings https://bit.ly/3PgtmZd Brits assisted dying in Switzerland https://bit.ly/3BgRGEE Palliative care funding https://bit.ly/3iLIDoL Palliative care access https://bit.ly/3W0Qo8w Palliative care and life expectancy https://bit.ly/3FBCZP7 British public opinions https://bit.ly/3iLIUrN YouGov poll https://bit.ly/3uuyboj Get in touch: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warning: Some strong language Media Storm hosts Mathilda and Helena meet their mainstream media matches! In this crossover bonus series with The Guilty Feminist, they interview journalists trying to make an imperfect industry a little bit less so, about their noble goals and - you guessed it - the hypocrisies and insecurities that undermine them! Brought to you by The Guilty Feminist, every other Thursday. This week’s episode features all-around broadcast queen Leanne Alie (TW: @leannealie / IG: @leannealie_). The host and creator of Coiled - an award-winning documentary podcast about Black hair - also pulls the strings behind-the-scenes as a podcast commissioner for BBC Sounds, where she advocates to bring unheard voices into the mainstream media. She spills the beans on the Black hair industry, shares some surprising stories she’s brought to the table in her role as BBC commissioner, and explains why more Black joy is needed in our news. The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). For more information on The Guilty Feminist and other episodes: visit https://www.guiltyfeminist.com tweet us https://www.twitter.com/guiltfempod like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/guiltyfeminist check out our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theguiltyfeminist or join our mailing list http://www.eepurl.com/bRfSPT For more information on Media Storm: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network.  The Guilty Feminist theme is by Mark Hodge and produced by Nick Sheldon. Media Storm music is by Samfire (@soundofsamfire). Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warning: Some strong language  Welcome to The Menopause Revolution! A new era for a bodily phenomenon we were once too scared to call by name. Menopause is starting to show its face in our mainstream media, but how accurate is the coverage that has emerged? How much of it is stigma-smashing, and how much of it is scaremongering? And has all this talk resulted in any actual change? This week, Media Storm speaks to older women in the workplace, with a close inspection of the regularly-reported story that 900,000 women in the UK population have been driven out of work due to menopause. We’ll meet some of the people behind those numbers, assess the reliability of its source, and question whether anything besides the midlife mistress is to blame. Working women often speak of feeling invisible, overlooked and unconfident as they get older, despite becoming increasingly knowledgeable and experienced in their fields. So is it menopause - or good old fashioned ageism and sexism?  We are joined in the studio by Menopause Whilst Black host Karen Arthur and Effin' Hormones host Emma Goswell to talk about how the media covers menopause, rethink the representation of women in midlife, and pick apart some hare-brained headlines on hormone replacement therapy and more. The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia), with research by Eliza Meller.  Guests: Sally Leech @MenopauseClub, Henpicked @T4W_Henpicked Rachel Lankester, Magnificent Midlife @MagnifMidlife Lisa Nicholls, Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales @FTWW_Wales  Riannon Palmer @lemuhn_ Emma Goswell @emmagoswell @effinhormones Karen Arthur @thekarenarthur @menopausewhilstblack Sources: BUPA Research https://bit.ly/3u0EFuR Channel 4 survey https://bit.ly/3UXkF8d Workplace menopause policies https://bit.ly/3EE3UI2 Fastest growing workplace demographics https://bit.ly/3EI26y6 Resources: Henpicked free resources: https://henpicked.net/menopause-hub/resources/ Rachel Lankester's book https://magnificentmidlife.com/book/ Fair Treatment For The Women of Wales Menopause Campaign Map your symptoms with the Balance App Where to find a menopause clinic in your area  Get in touch: Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @mediastormpod Email us mediastormpodcast@gmail.com Media Storm is an award-winning podcast brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. The music is by @soundofsamfire.   Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warning: Some strong language  Following on from Media Storm's episode about polyamory, the law, and the mainstream media, Media Storm co-hosts bring you this bonus episode with Leanne Yau from the hugely popular Poly Philia blog to discuss how non-monogamy is portrayed onscreen - looking at depictions of love triangles, Chandler's polyamorous lover in Friends, and reality TV shows like The Ultimatum.  The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). For more information on The Guilty Feminist and other episodes: visit https://www.guiltyfeminist.com tweet us https://www.twitter.com/guiltfempod like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/guiltyfeminist check out our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theguiltyfeminist or join our mailing list http://www.eepurl.com/bRfSPT For more information on Media Storm: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. The Guilty Feminist theme by Mark Hodge and produced by Nick Sheldon. Media Storm music by Samfire (@soundofsamfire) Thank you to our amazing Patreon supporters. To support the podcast yourself, go to https://www.patreon.com/guiltyfeminist Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warning: Some strong language  Imagine getting fired for your relationship status. Imagine a nosy neighbour deciding they knew what was better for your children. This is the reality for polyamorous people across the UK and abroad. Should we be legislating against their discrimination, rather than their perceived ‘deviation’? This week, Media Storm speaks to polyamorous people who are trying to love within the limits of the law. We hears from top experts in the field, including Dr Sheff's 25-year-long study on polyamorous families, and the newly-formed UK Polyamory Association on changing the Equality Act.  Helena and Mathilda are joined in the studio by Leanne Yau - aka ‘Poly Philia’ - to discuss how polyamory is represented in the media, demystify the common stereotypes (they're not always having orgies all the time!), and dissect some of the latest headlines about apparently mythical ‘throuples’ and ‘threesomes’. The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia), with research by Eliza Meller. The voice of 'Jane' is Olivia Baker. The voice of 'John' is Shaun Wood. Guests: Leanne Yau @polyphiliablog Matthew Neale @matthewgneale Giulia Smith and Eunice, UK Polyamory Association facebook.com/UKPolyamoryAssociation Dr Elisabeth Sheff linktr.ee/DrEliSheff  Jessica Levity Daylover @remodeledlove remodeledlove.com Resources: Donate to UK Polyamory Association here ukpolyamory.org Sources: Most of the world doesn’t practise monogamy – so when will UK law recognise polyamory instead? https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/love-sex/polyamory-meaning-monogamy-uk-law-b2172833.html Legal Protections for People in Polyamorous Relationships https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-polyamorists-next-door/202007/legal-protections-people-in-polyamorous-relationships Polyamory and the law https://clinics.law.harvard.edu/blog/2021/08/polyamory-and-the-law/ The Five Most Common Legal Issues Facing Polyamorists https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-polyamorists-next-door/201401/the-five-most-common-legal-issues-facing-polyamorists The privilege of perversities: race, class and education among polyamorists and kinksters https://elisabethsheff.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/the-privilege-of-perversities-20111.pdf There's a dark side of polyamory that nobody talks about https://www.insider.com/dark-side-of-polyamory-2019-2 Get in touch: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm is an award-winning podcast brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. The music is by @soundofsamfire Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media Storm’s latest investigation looks at a new, post-Brexit era of exploitation targeting Central and Eastern Europeans in the UK. Today’s bonus episode looks at the attitudes behind this exploitation, and asks why a workforce who have proven invaluable were dismissed as undesirable “low-skilled” workers. Is it just a question of economics, or is it a question of prejudice? This bonus episode from The Guilty Feminist and Media Storm looks at the role of pop culture, class, geopolitics and history in shaping misconceptions and creating simplistic stereotypes of diverse cultural identities. The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). Guests Alex Bulat @alexandrabulat Kasia Tee @KasiaTee @cursedobjectsuk Dr Dagmar Myslinska @DagmarMyslinska Marzena Zukowska and Magda Fabianczyk @polishmigrants Jelena Sofronijevic @jelsofron Eliza Meller Sources Hate crime stats http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/racism-hate-crimes-increase-brexit-eu-referendum-a7113091.html  Production Researcher: Eliza Meller Media Storm music: Samfire @soundofsamfire The Guilty Feminist theme: Mark Hodge, Nick Sheldon Chopin played by: Anait Karpova  More on Media Storm Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com  Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A post-Brexit Britain has halted visas to low-paid, so-called “low-skilled,” foreign workers - primarily coming from Central and Eastern Europe. Policymakers hoped to increase wages and decrease unemployment for Britain’s own workforce. Yet in some sectors, demand for labour is now outstripping supply. Official figures show a rise in reports of modern slavery and labour exploitation. While the Home Secretary has blamed this on fake claims by Albanians, we look for answers in the UK’s troubled labour market. Is today’s “low-skilled” economy a higher-wage world for British workers, or a lower-wage world for undocumented ones? Helena and Mathilda are joined in the studio by Alex Bulat - Labour Councillor and co-founder of the Migrant Democracy Project - to discuss how Central and Eastern Europeans are represented by politicians, pop culture and the press. We dissect headlines on the Home Secretary Suella Braverman's beef with Albanians, and ask whether the BBC is too scared to say ‘Brexit’. The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). Guests: Lucila Granada, @lulagranada FLEX @FocusOnLabour Dora-Olivia Vicol, Work Rights Centre @WORCrights Marzena Zukowska @MarzenaZukowska and Magdalena Fabianczyk @MFabianczyk, POMOC @polishmigrants Dr Kasia Tee @KasiaTee Dr Alexandra Bulat @alexandrabulat Sources: Impact of the end of free movement on the low-wage labour force https://migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/reports/how-is-the-end-of-free-movement-affecting-the-low-wage-labour-force-in-the-uk/ Low-skilled labour supply after Brexit https://migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/reports/exploiting-the-opportunity-low-skilled-work-migration-after-brexit/ Post-Brexit work visa data https://migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/briefings/work-visas-and-migrant-workers-in-the-uk/ Employer survey: wage-raises https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/work/trends/skills-labour-shortages#gref; signing-up bonuses https://business.leeds.ac.uk/downloads/download/269/labour_mobility_post-brexit Seasonal Worker Visa (SWV) data https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-year-ending-june-2022/why-do-people-come-to-the-uk-to-work Review of 2019 Seasonal Workers pilot https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/seasonal-workers-pilot-review/seasonal-workers-pilot-review-2019 FLEX assessment of SWV exploitation risks https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/seasonal-workers-pilot-review/seasonal-workers-pilot-review-2019 Low democratic participation of EU migrants in the UK https://www.jrrt.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ Production: Researcher: Eliza Meller Theme music: Samfire @soundofsamfire Song: Bill Lloyd Piano: Anait Karpova http://anaitkarpova.com; https://www.facebook.com/anait.karpova Get in touch Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warning: This episode contains references to mental illness and suicide. If you need someone to talk to, contact Samaritans.org or call 116 123.  Recorded the day after #WorldMentalHealthDay, Media Storm co-hosts sat down with author and activist Scarlett Curtis, and journalist and podcast producer Kamilah McInnis, to discuss how to look after your mental health when you work in - or even just read - the news, and the pros and pitfalls of sharing your mental health on social media.  The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia).  For more information on The Guilty Feminist and other episodes: visit https://www.guiltyfeminist.com tweet us https://www.twitter.com/guiltfempod like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/guiltyfeminist check out our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theguiltyfeminist or join our mailing list http://www.eepurl.com/bRfSPT For more information on Media Storm: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. The Guilty Feminist theme by Mark Hodge and produced by Nick Sheldon. This Is How You Do It theme by Samfire (@soundofsamfire) Thank you to our amazing Patreon supporters. To support the podcast yourself, go to https://www.patreon.com/guiltyfeminist Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warning: This episode contains mentions of mental illness, suicide, and self-harm. Recently, doctors have recognised a strange phenomenon: patients turning up with mental health diagnoses in hand. And they all have something in common: social media. A search of the hashtag #depression on Instagram returns more than 25.3 million posts. On TikTok, the hashtag #BPD (borderline personality disorder) has 3.7 billion views, #ADHD has 14.5 billion views, and #DID (dissociative identity disorder) another 1.5 billion.  This week, Media Storm asks why people are turning to TikTok for help with their mental health, what happens if you get inside an algorithm bubble, and why misdiagnosis can be so dangerous. Plus, host Helena Wadia shares her personal experiences with mental health for the first time. Author Scarlett Curtis and journalist Kamilah McInnis join in the studio, to discuss the media's portrayal of mental health, the dos and don'ts of reporting on suicide, and why it can feel so good to speak out. The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia), produced and researched by Zeynab Mohamed (@zeynabmohamed_)  Guests: Zoe Aston @zoeastondotcom  Thea Rickard @thearickard @thelastnightpodcast Lauren Bradley @jointheofficials Zeynab Mohamed @zeynabmohamed_  Scarlett Curtis @scarcurtis  Kamilah McInnis @KamilahMcInnis  Resources: Samaritans.org or call 116 123 mind.org.uk @mindcharity  Kiddycharts.com, resources to help with kids’ mental health Sources: Young Women Are Self-Diagnosing Personality Disorders, Thanks To TikTok, by Zeynab Mohamed https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/a39573245/young-women-self-diagnose-personality-disorder-tiktok/ Media reporting on mental illness, violence and crime needs to change https://theconversation.com/media-reporting-on-mental-illness-violence-and-crime-needs-to-change-144856 Mindframe guidelines on media reporting of severe mental illness in the context of violence and crime https://mindframemedia.imgix.net/assets/src/uploads/MF_Guidelines_Violence_and_Crime_spread_FINAL.pdf Mind violence and mental health factsheet https://www.mind.org.uk/media-a/4968/violence-and-mental-health-mind-factsheet-2018.pdf Gresham College Press Coverage of Mental Health and Suicide https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/press-coverage-mental-health-and-suicide TikTok and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study of Social Media Content Quality https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/07067437221082854 NHS failing patients with mental health problems https://www.ombudsman.org.uk/news-and-blog/news/nhs-failing-patients-mental-health-problems Mental health pressures in England, BMA https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/nhs-delivery-and-workforce/pressures/mental-health-pressures-data-analysis Get in touch: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coming to you from the London Podcast Festival: The Guilty Feminist presents Media Storm’s debut show, live from King’s Place! Presented by journalists Mathilda Mallinson and Helena Wadia, Media Storm is a news podcast that starts with the people who are normally asked last. From migrants to sex workers, trans to indigenous people, convicted criminals to Romani communities— Media Storm puts people with lived experience at the centre of their stories. In this bonus episode, Mathilda and Helena welcome Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy and political reporter Nadine Batchelor Hunt to discuss elitism in Westminster and the discrimination undermining UK democracy. It is often said that Britain has its “most diverse” Parliament ever, at least in terms of gender and race. But it falls short of reflecting the population, while working-class people face growing exclusion from Westminster’s imposing halls. The governing Conservative party trails behind in minority representation and formally denies the existence of institutionalised racism, and “identity politics” have become a viciously divisive political battleground on both the Left and Right. So how do we advance equality in politics for the sake of everyone in society? And what role does the media play in challenging the status quo? Recorded 18 September at King’s Place, London. Guests Bell Ribeiro-Addy @BellRibeiroAddy Nadine Batchelor-Hunt @nadinebh_ Sources https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn01156/ https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7483/ https://www.ippr.org/publication/closing-the-gap https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50808536  Production Researcher: Izzie Addison Media Storm theme: Samfire @soundofsamfire The Guilty Feminist theme: Mark Hodge and Nick Sheldon Cover image: Viktor Erik Emanuel/Kings Place Producers: Tom Salinsky and Deborah Frances-White  Get in touch Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warning: Some strong language and reference to suicide  We often think of ‘progress’ as an enemy of ‘prejudice’, but when it comes to prejudice towards Gypsy, Roma and Travellers, the opposite is true. YouGov polling shows a decline in British society’s attitudes towards their nomadic members, as the UN flags a rise in hate speech and violence towards the ethnic minority across Europe. Why is this happening? Is it down to changes in reality, or simply changes in perception? We speak to activists and actors about the role of politics and pop culture in creating an increasingly hostile environment, and unveil the masked mental health crisis that is endemic among Traveller youths. Mikey Walsh - author (and protagonist) of ‘Gypsy Boy’ - joins us to talk about the news media’s complicity in creating a society clouded more in fiction than fact. We look at headlines on ‘Traveller crime’ and opinion pieces in mainstream papers pleading to phase out the ethnic minority. The episode is accompanied by traditional Romani music performed and produced by Bill Lloyd. Enjoy and share his translated version of Djelem Djelem HERE. Read the fantastic analysis of GRT media coverage by Leeds GATE and London Gypsies and Travellers HERE. Many thanks to Rachel Trafford for help producing this episode. The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia), with research by Izzie Addison.  Guests: Charlotte James, Community Health and Wellbeing Coordinator, LeedsGate Tom Manders, actor, writer and producer Jonathan Lee, European Roma Rights Centre @ERRCtweets @errcinsta Leeds Gypsy & Traveller Exchange @leedsGATE London Gypsies and Travellers @LondonGypsyTrav @londongypsytraveller Sherrie Smith @SherrieRomany Mikey Walsh @thatbloodymikey   Sources: University of Birmingham study on UK public attitudes UK GRT population size My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding viewing figures Suicide rates among GRT populations Get in touch: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm is an award-winning podcast brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. The music is by @soundofsamfire.  Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warning: Strong language and frank discussions about sex Media Storm hosts Mathilda and Helena meet their mainstream media matches! In this crossover bonus series with The Guilty Feminist, they interview journalists and activists trying to make their imperfect industries a little bit less so, about their noble goals and - you guessed it - the hypocrisies and insecurities that undermine them! Brought to you by The Guilty Feminist, every other Thursday. This week’s episode features the sweet-talking, sex-loving, shame-smashing duo behind Come Curious, hosts of the F**ks Given podcast and OnlyFans sensations… Reed Amber (@reedamberx) and Florence Bark (@florencebark)! These two intimacy and relationship experts work dedicatedly to educate the world about sexuality, sensuality, and excavating their deepest desires. In this episode, we discuss how the mainstream media gets in the way of that mission: through sex censorship, outdated stigmas, and the sensationalism and stereotyping of sex work. All the S’s! The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). For more information on The Guilty Feminist and other episodes: visit https://www.guiltyfeminist.com tweet us https://www.twitter.com/guiltfempod like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/guiltyfeminist check out our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theguiltyfeminist or join our mailing list http://www.eepurl.com/bRfSPT For more information on Media Storm: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. The Guilty Feminist theme by Mark Hodge and produced by Nick Sheldon. This Is How You Do It theme by Samfire (@soundofsamfire) Thank you to our amazing Patreon supporters. To support the podcast yourself, go to https://www.patreon.com/guiltyfeminist Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Come to Media Storm's live show at the London Podcast Festival! 18th September, 7pm TICKETS HERE: kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/media-storm/  Most people will get the most common STI at some point in their life. It's called human papillomavirus, or HPV, and has more than 100 different strains. Some strains of the virus cause genital warts, and some cause abnormal cell changes that can lead to cancer.  You might know that HPV causes cervical cancer and you might have noticed a huge drive to get women vaccinated. What you probably don’t know is that men can also get HPV, can pass HPV on, and are at risk of penile, anal & throat cancers. So why don’t we don’t talk about this? This week, Media Storm hears from men who are living with the effects of HPV, and those who used their experiences to change the vaccination process for boys and men - after a long battle with the UK Government. Plus, broadcaster, writer, shagony aunt, sex educator and script consultant on Netflix's Sex Education Alix Fox joins us in the studio to discuss how STIs are represented in the press, the complicated reporting of Monkeypox, and why TV shows and films have such a big responsibility to portray STIs accurately.  The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). Research by Camilla Tiana. Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire. Speakers:  Jamie Rae @TCF_Foundation @throatcancerfoundation  Steve Bergman @steveb2025 George Light @georgelight74  Jason Mendelsohn @SupermanHPV supermanhpv.com Dr Tanaya Narendra @dr_cuterus   Alix Fox @AlixFox Resources: Throat Cancer Foundation throatcancerfoundation.org The Swallows Head & Neck Cancer Support Group theswallows.org.uk HPV Action hpvaction.org Sources: HPV Vaccine and College-Age Men: A Scoping Review https://bit.ly/3Q4Igkf JCVI Interim Statement on Extending HPV Vaccination to Adolescent Boys https://bit.ly/3Rt8oGx JCVI statement on HPV vaccination of men who have sex with men https://bit.ly/3wJWnoa  HPV and Men – Fact Sheet https://bit.ly/3R7cS5G  HPV vaccine set to be extended to boys, after pressure on equality grounds https://bit.ly/3CLwA2O Get in touch: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm is an award-winning podcast brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Indigenous peoples who live off the land are often the first affected by climate change, just as they are the last to cause it. But what is often told as a story of injustice should be a story of leadership. Indigenous communities around the world have been protecting Mother Earth for centuries. They may be the most qualified to fight climate change— yet they are systematically excluded from policymaking. In this crossover bonus episode for The Guilty Feminist and Media Storm, Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) explores the importance of Indigenous leadership in climate action. She speaks to Rachel Heaton, founder of Mazaska Talks, an Indigenous-led boycott of fossil fuel financing in the US. Thimali Kodikara, producer of Mothers of Invention podcast, explains how the colonial roots of climate change indicate decolonial solutions. Media Storm is the Guilty Feminist's investigative podcast. Book tickets to see Media Storm live at the London Podcast Festival: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/media-storm/  Guests Rachel Heaton, Mazaska Talks @MazaskaTalks Thimali Kodikara IG: @oneloudbellow, TW: @apathySUCKS Production Researcher: Isabella Crispino Fact-checking: Camilla Tiana Music: Samfire @soundofsamfire Get in touch Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warning: References to stillbirth WATCH MEDIA STORM’S DEBUT LIVE RECORDING AT KING’S PLACE, 17/09, 7PM: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/media-storm/ Scorching heatwaves and ‘red weather warnings’ have brought climate change onto our doorstep and into our headlines. But hidden from view - be it by distance, dense jungles or disinformation - the effects of the eco-disaster have already taken hold. This week, we hear from communities on the frontlines of fossil fuel extraction. The king of Ogale in Nigeria tells us why his community is taking Shell to court, and villagers along the Niger Delta describe the impact of oil pollution—environmental, cultural and political. Are the companies behind this production guilty of ‘greenwashing’? Is that even legal? And could the media be doing more to hold them to account? Mathilda and Helena discuss all this and more with Thimali Kodikara, the producer of Mothers of Invention podcast. The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). Guest handles Leigh Day International @leighdayintl Caroline Dennett @GreenGodless Sophie Marjanac @SMarjanacCE, Client Earth @ClientEarth Thimali Kodikara IG: @oneloudbellow, TW: @apathysuckseggs Production Researchers: Isabella Crispino, Mafalda Lorijn, Izzie Addison Fact-checker: Camilla Tiana Sound technician in Nigeria: Okoro Onyekachi Emmanuel @KachiUndiluted, http://www.majinigeria.org/. Music: Samfire @soundofsamfire Producers: Tom Salinsky and Deborah Frances-White Sources Adverts viewed per day: https://www.redcrowmarketing.com/2015/09/10/many-ads-see-one-day/ Global advertising revenue, 2021: https://www.statista.com/topics/990/global-advertising-market/#dossierKeyfigures Saudi Arabia GDP, 2021: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD Guardian advertising revenue: https://www.theguardian.com/help/insideguardian/2020/jan/29/why-the-guardian-will-no-longer-accept-fossil-fuel-advertising Get in touch Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media Storm hosts Mathilda and Helena meet their mainstream media matches! In this crossover bonus series with The Guilty Feminist, they interview journalists and activists trying to make their imperfect industries a little bit less so, about their noble goals and - you guessed it - the hypocrisies and insecurities that undermine them! Brought to you by The Guilty Feminist, every other Thursday. This week, we speak to Amelie, Layla, and Scarlet from Bristol Sex Workers Collective (@BristolSWC), about the end of a two year battle to keep Bristol city centre's strip clubs open. Media Storm first reported on the proposed ban of the venues in a Series 1 episode - so make sure you pop back and have a listen if you missed it! The dancers tell us about celebrating the decision, what they would change about media reporting on sex work, and why community is so important in the industry.  The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). For more information on The Guilty Feminist and other episodes: visit https://www.guiltyfeminist.com tweet us https://www.twitter.com/guiltfempod like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/guiltyfeminist check out our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theguiltyfeminist or join our mailing list http://www.eepurl.com/bRfSPT For more information on Media Storm: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. The Guilty Feminist theme by Mark Hodge and produced by Nick Sheldon. This Is How You Do It theme by Samfire (@soundofsamfire) Thank you to our amazing Patreon supporters. To support the podcast yourself, go to https://www.patreon.com/guiltyfeminist Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warning: In-depth talk about eating disorders, exercise addiction and references to suicide.  Read the transcript here: https://mediastormpodcast.com/2022/08/30/2-4-masculinity-and-body-image-why-dont-men-seek-help-with-scottee/ Recent analysis from the Royal College of Psychiatrists has revealed that hospital admissions for people with eating disorders have risen 84% in the last five years - with boys and young men increasingly affected. Body dysmorphia is now thought to affect men and women in equal numbers. So why is there still a lack of resources and support groups to help men?  This week, Media Storm hears from men who have been affected by bulimia, body dysmorphia and exercise addiction, about why they felt they couldn't seek help. We hear from a peer support group for men about how far we've come in tackling stigma - and how far there is to go. Plus, we dip into the rise of muscularity-orientated disordered eating, and hear how the 'big, strong, tough' masculinity stereotype affects the body image of men - especially for Black men.  We’re joined in the studio by writer and artist Scottee, to discuss the intersections of masculinity, class, and queerness, reclaiming fatness, and the impact of the Love Island legacy.  The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). Research by Isabella Crispino and Mafalda Lorijn. The voice of 'Lawrence' is by Shaun Wood. Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire. Speakers:  Sam Thomas @sam_thomas86 Tom Quinn @tomquinn1 @BeatED Danny Bowman @DannyBowman10 Brad Powell @MaleVoicED Dr Jason Nagata @jasonmnagata Scottee @scotteeisfat Resources: Beat: The UK's eating disorder charity https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/  MaleVoicED: A charity dedicated to the voice of males who have experienced or are experiencing eating, exercise, or body-image related difficulties and co-morbid conditions. Find out more about their Peer Support Groups: https://www.malevoiced.com/peer-support  Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/  Sources: Predictors of muscularity-oriented disordered eating behaviors in U.S. young adults https://bit.ly/3zsKDH6  Hospital admissions for eating disorders increased by 84% in the last five years https://bit.ly/3d4iI8M  Millions of men in the UK affected by body image issues – Mental Health Foundation survey https://bit.ly/3vBLu7h  Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation https://bit.ly/3vCyo9Q  How do stereotypes prevent Black people from seeking help for eating disorders? https://bit.ly/3d3A7hQ  Get in touch:  Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm is an award-winning podcast brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bonus episode - This Is How You Do It: Jamie Wareham Media Storm hosts Mathilda and Helena meet their mainstream media matches! In this crossover bonus series with The Guilty Feminist, they interview journalists trying to make an imperfect industry a little bit less so, about their noble goals and - you guessed it - the hypocrisies and insecurities that undermine them! Brought to you by The Guilty Feminist, every other Thursday. Today’s guest is Jamie Wareham, the creator of Queer AF, a free weekly LGBTQIA+ newsletter that mentors and commissions queer creatives and reporters. He has worked for Forbes, Gay Star News, Attitude Magazine, and On Road Media, earning accolades such as a Radio 30 Under 30 and British Podcast Award. We talk about values-based journalism, business models that break from advertising, and trans fear-mongering by political elites. Subscribe to Queer AF here: https://www.wearequeeraf.com/subscribe/ The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). The music is by Samfire @soundofsamfire. Get in touch Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warning: References to child sexual abuse and pornography Read the transcript here: https://mediastormpodcast.com/2022/08/08/2-3-unoffending-pedophiles-clinical-or-criminal/ How can we prevent pedophilic acts from happening? Pedophilia is a clinical disorder before it becomes a criminal act. It's estimated to affect as many as 1-5% of the global male population. Does our failure to acknowledge its existence - and introduce preventative outreach - ultimately harm children? With first-hand sources, our exclusive investigation reveals that young boys undergoing pedophilic puberty are being routinely abused on the dark web, teenage girls with pedophilia can find no evidence that their disorder even exists, and medical professionals have been forced into hiding for trying to help. In the UK and US, therapy is only offered for pedophilia after criminal abuse has occurred, but non-offenders seeking help risk being handed over to authorities. Germany offers a world-only fully-funded, confidential therapy for pedophilia. Its founder, Professor Klaus Beier, takes us through 15 years of successful abuse prevention. In the face of a “global pandemic”, with child pornography exploding online and the vast majority of abuse escaping criminal justice, he says most countries have ignored the evidence and refused to introduce preventative healthcare. The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). Production Researcher: Sarika Gandhi Fact-checker: Mafalda Lorijn Music: Samfire @soundofsamfire Producers: Tom Salinsky and Deborah Frances-White Get in touch Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media Storm hosts Mathilda and Helena meet their mainstream media matches! In this crossover bonus series with The Guilty Feminist, they interview journalists and activists trying to make an imperfect industry a little bit less so, about their noble goals and - you guessed it - the hypocrisies and insecurities that undermine them! Brought to you by The Guilty Feminist, every other Thursday. Today's guest is Rachel Charlton-Dailey (@RachelCDailey), award-winning journalist and activist, who founded The Unwritten (@TheUnwrittenPub) - a publication for disabled people to share their stories “without them being reduced to trauma or inspiration”. Just last week, she collaborated with the Daily Mirror to edit the series 'Disabled Britain', investigations and features about disability that break from mainstream news norms to centre the lived experience of disabled people. We chat about the series, her favourite story to work on, and thoughts on what our future Prime Minster could do for disabled people. The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). For more information on The Guilty Feminist and other episodes:  visit https://www.guiltyfeminist.com tweet us https://www.twitter.com/guiltfempod like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/guiltyfeminist check out our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theguiltyfeminist or join our mailing list http://www.eepurl.com/bRfSPT For more information on Media Storm:  Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. The Guilty Feminist theme by Mark Hodge and produced by Nick Sheldon. This Is How You Do It theme by Samfire (@soundofsamfire)  Thank you to our amazing Patreon supporters. To support the podcast yourself, go to https://www.patreon.com/guiltyfeminist Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Across the pond, the United States Supreme Court made the decision to overturn Roe v Wade, meaning 33 million women in America were stripped of the right to an abortion. Many US states have already introduced new restrictions on abortion. Women and people who need abortions are having to travel further, often across state borders, and pay more. As expected, this ban will affect the most marginalised: poor women, queer people, women of colour and migrant women. The news has been dominated by the decision - but how many of us here in the UK know that abortion is a crime in England, Scotland, and Wales? This week, Media Storm speaks to doctors, activists, people who have had abortions, and leading abortion care providers in the UK, to find out just how restrictive the system here actually is. Plus, we hear from reproductive rights activists in Northern Ireland, about why decriminalisation without the services to match it means nothing.  We’re joined in the studio by Renee Bracey Sherman, founder of We Testify, and hailed as the ‘Beyoncé of Abortion Storytelling', to discuss the why abortion is still seen as a taboo in the mainstream media, the history of the 'debate', and how a minority of anti-abortionists got so loud.  The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). Speakers:  Katherine O'Brien, British Pregnancy Advisory Service @katherine__ob @BPAS1968 Maya Oppenheim @MayaOppenheim Catriona Rennison, Doctors for Choice UK @CatrionaRennis1 @DrsforChoice_UK Bethany Moore @bethanysmm Sophia Smith Galer @sophiasgaler Renee Bracey Sherman @RBraceySherman @reneebraceysherman @AbortionStories Sources: Pro-choice UK poll https://bit.ly/3uvZqz7 UK abortion statistics 2020 https://bit.ly/3yLUZ5N  2012 Abortion raids https://www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e2313  Anti-abortion advocate told Congress that abortions power street lamps https://bit.ly/3yisyLr Women accused of illegal abortions in England and Wales after miscarriages and stillbirths https://bit.ly/3RiR6fN I had an abortion – and my experience shows how broken the UK system truly is https://bit.ly/3AwaY9u US Donors Are Helping Push Anti-Abortion Agendas in UK schools https://bit.ly/3RscT55   Get in touch Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire.  Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warning: Some strong language Media Storm hosts Mathilda and Helena meet their mainstream media matches! In this crossover bonus series with The Guilty Feminist, they interview journalists trying to make an imperfect industry a little bit less so, about their noble goals and - you guessed it - the hypocrisies and insecurities that undermine them! Brought to you by The Guilty Feminist, every other Thursday. Our first guest is Naomi Larsson Piñeda, award-winning journalist and editor at gal-dem, Forbes 30 Under 30 alumna, and musician-by-night (@naomilars / @naomiinblue). Naomi speaks about reporting on Chile's social uprising, ongoing gender inequality in the music industry, and second jobs.  The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia).  For more information on The Guilty Feminist and other episodes:  visit https://www.guiltyfeminist.com tweet us https://www.twitter.com/guiltfempod like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/guiltyfeminist check out our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theguiltyfeminist or join our mailing list http://www.eepurl.com/bRfSPT For more information on Media Storm:  Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. The Guilty Feminist theme by Mark Hodge and produced by Nick Sheldon. This Is How You Do It theme by Samfire (@soundofsamfire)  Thank you to our amazing Patreon supporters. To support the podcast yourself, go to https://www.patreon.com/guiltyfeminist Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Off-label antibiotics ordered from Hong Kong, bacteriophages cultivated in Georgia, bladder fulguration undergone in Turkey - these are some of the lengths countless women are resorting to in desperate bids to rid themselves of chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs). In March, the NHS finally recognised the existence of chronic UTI, a debilitating condition affecting 1.7 million people - mostly women - in the UK. But months later, our exclusive research reveals sufferers are spending up to hundreds of thousands of pounds treating themselves, while NHS healthcare guidelines fail to mention the condition at all. This week, Media Storm dives deep into underfunding, lack of research, misdiagnosing and medical gaslighting impacting healthcare for women and minority groups. We’re joined in the studio by Athena Lamnisos, CEO of The Eve Appeal, and Dr Christine Ekechi, obstetrician & gynaecologist, to discuss the roots of this “gender health gap”, the intersections within it, and the role of the mainstream media in reforming - or reinforcing - the status quo. The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). Guests: Athena Lamnisos @eveappeal @athenalamnisos1 Dr Chirstine Ekechi @DrEkechi (T) @dr_christine­_ekechi (IG) Sources: Chronic UTI UK statistics: https://cutic.co.uk/what-is-chronic-uti/ Outdated urine testing: https://bit.ly/3ybEvn6  Endometriosis diagnoses (UK): pslhub.org/learn/patient-safety-in-health-and-care/womens-health/appg-on-endometriosis-inquiry-report-2020-endometriosis-in-the-uk-time-for-change-october-2020-r3279/#:~:text=Summary,care%20at%20the%20right%20time. (note 2009): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19196878/ Medical student gender ratios (UK): https://bit.ly/3beU58B US news analysis May 2021: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.644284/full Get in touch Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire.  Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media Storm is back next week! Helena and Mathilda take on the mainstream media and embark on new investigations that put people with lived experience back at the centre of the story. This season takes listeners from London and Berlin, to the frontlines of the climate crisis, to the depths of the dark web, in its quest to seek out unheard voices. Polyamory, abortion, paedophilia, radicalisation… brace yourself to head back into the eye of the storm. From Thursday 23 June we’ll be back on your weekly feed bringing you headlines and investigations from a different perspective. Make sure you’ve clicked follow so you don’t miss any releases! Get in touch: • Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod • or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod • or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod • like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod • send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com • check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire. Artwork by Simba Baylon @simbalenciaga. Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We won a Silver ARIA Award for Best Speech Presenters!  In this bonus episode we recount our experiences of awards night, who we met, what it was like to be in a category with radio giant nominees (hello imposter syndrome!), and what we'll be listening to next.  We also wanted to say a huge thank you to the people who came on Media Storm series one and let us platform their insights and experiences. Our voices are just an accessory to yours - so this award goes out to you. On that note... Media Storm series 2 will be out in June! Hit subscribe and follow to stay updated - we have so many new and exciting investigations to delve into, so get in touch and tell us who you want to hear from! Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Your hosts are @mathildamall and @helenawadia  Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire.  Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The episode is hosted by Deborah Frances-White (@DeborahFW) with guests Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia). Get in touch Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire. Artwork by Simba Baylon @simbalenciaga. Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After looking at the prevalence of ableism in UK workplaces and the lack of legal recourse for those affected in last week’s episode, Media Storm is handing the mic - for the final instalment of this season - to some of its sources, who share with listeners ways to help. Whether you are an employer or colleague, here are some of dos and do NOTs to help you be a better ally to disabled and chronically ill workers.  The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia), with Helena Da Silva Merron and Maria Kalinowska as researchers. Guests (in order of appearance) Roxanne Steel @roxannesteelofficial (IG) Maria Kalinowska @m.a.kamera (IG) Alanna Richards Emma Vogelmann @emma.vogelmann @disabilitylawservice @scopecharity (IG) @emma_vogelmann @DSL_Law @scope (TW)  Izzy Jani-Friend @isabellejanifriend (IG) Get in touch Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire. Artwork by Simba Baylon @simbalenciaga. Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media Storm presented by Mathilda Mallinson and Helena Wadia. Warning: Some swearing Disabled workers are over twice as likely to be unemployed as non-disabled workers — even not counting those who are ‘economically inactive’ due to health or other reasons. Countless testimonies point to ableism at every stage of the employment game, from applying to jobs to being made redundant. And yet legally-speaking, there is almost no trace of disability discrimination in UK workplaces, with only 72 disability employment tribunals happening in the latest published annual period (2019-20). If not for discrimination, why are disabled people struggling disproportionately to access work? And if there is discrimination, why is no one paying for it? This week, we dig up the canyon of workplace ableism that has been buried in confidential settlements, or faced no reckoning at all. We look at the myriad of ways that ableism manifests in workplaces, and the loopholes and limitations of the law designed to prevent it. Joining us in the studio are two very special guests: Triple Cripples podcast host Jumoke Abdullahi and campaigner-consultant Ellen Jones. We discuss the mainstream media’s coverage of disability, and how the Covid-19 pandemic cast an uncomfortable light on society’s valuation of different people’s lives. The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia), with Helena Da Silva Merron and Maria Kalinowska as researchers. Guests: Keryn Seal @KerynSeal4  Izzy Jani-Friend @isabellejanifriend  Emma Vogelmann @emma.vogelmann @disabilitylawservice @scopecharity @emma_vogelmann @DSL_Law @scope  Roxanne Steel @roxannesteelofficial  Maria Kalinowska @m.a.kamera  Jumoke Abdullahi @jayonlife @herroyalj @triplecripples Ellen Jones @ellen__jones  Sources: Disabled and non-disabled employment rates, UK (calculated from the most recent quarterly data, for October-December 2021): https://bit.ly/36GtoY7  Disability Employment Tribunals - number and amounts awarded: https://bit.ly/3D9Nwy3 - these give annual figures only for the year 2019-2020; we were unable to access more recent figures due to the handling of that data being moved to new case managements systems within the government, and therefore being delayed in publication (as detailed here: https://bit.ly/3iA05Jn) Reasonable adjustments explained: https://bit.ly/3L9DcJ9  Access to Work provisions: https://bit.ly/3577Vaj  Disabled people in employment in the UK: https://bit.ly/37YXtTu PIP cuts: https://bit.ly/3Dbegyk  ‘Economically inactive’ populations, UK (calculated from the most recent quarterly data, for October-December 2021): https://bit.ly/3wzRA9C  Disability representation in UK TV industry: https://bit.ly/3wwfB1e    Get in touch by following the show on social media @mediastormpod or emailing us mediastormpodcast@gmail.com Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire. Artwork by Simba Baylon @simbalenciaga. Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Laws that criminalise certain aspects of sex work force people into unsafe, unregulated environments, where they become even more vulnerable. Last week, on International Women’s Day, we joined the Sex/Work Strike and heard the rallying cry from protestors campaigning for the full decriminalisation of sex work. But what might a 'decriminalised future' look like? This week, Media Storm heads to a new exhibition at London's Institute of Contemporary Arts, featuring artwork and installations by sex workers themselves, to find out. Two of those involved, Yarli Allison and Letizia Miro, join Media Storm to talk about their semi-fictional documentary 'This is Not For Clients', which features in the exhibition, exploring labour conditions and survival.  Guests: Yarli Allison @yarliallison Letizia Miro @MissLetiziaMiro @letiziamiro ICA exhibition 'Decriminalised Futures': https://www.ica.art/decriminalised-futures  Get in touch: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire. Artwork by Simba Baylon @simbalenciaga. Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media Storm presented by Mathilda Mallinson and Helena Wadia.  Warning: Some strong language and references to sex Transcript: https://mediastormpodcast.com/2022/07/06/1-9-sex-workers-ignored-and-under-threat/ Online or offline, the stigma that comes with being a sex worker is pervasive. But sex work is not just stigmatised - it's criminalised. Laws that ban certain aspects of sex work force workers into unsafe, unregulated environments, where they become even more vulnerable.  This week, Media Storm heads to Bristol, where strip clubs face being outlawed by the council - in similar scenes to Chester, Swansea, and Blackpool. Critics of strip clubs seem to blame sex workers for the systematic problems of gender-based violence, yet our data research showed otherwise. Media Storm meets workers in the sexual entertainment industry who feel unheard and stuck in a limbo, following them to the Sex/Work Strike in London's Leicester Square on International Women's Day. Niki Adams from the English Collective of Prostitutes joins us in the studio to talk about decades advocating for full decriminalisation, and the common conflation of sex trafficking and sex work, with headline talk from Ukraine and around the world.  The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia), with Helena Da Silva Merron and Priyanka Raval as researchers. The voice of the sex worker from Swansea is Kamilah McInnis. Guests: Chloe @bxby.777 @chloeebris Amelie @afrenchstripper Scarlet @halfgothgf  Niki Adams @NikiAdamsLondon @ProstitutesColl @ecp_org  Bristol Sex Workers Collective @bristolswc DecrimNow @ukdecrimnow @decrimnow Women’s Strike Assembly @Women_Strike @womenstrike.britain Sources:  Bristol Sex Establishments Policy consultation 2021 https://bristol.citizenspace.com/bristol-city-council/sex-establishments-policy-consultation-2021/ Bristol crime assessment by venue https://democracy.bristol.gov.uk/documents/s50308/Appendix%206%20Avon%20and%20Somerset%20Constabulary%20Response.pdf Sex Work Projects briefing on “Nordic model” https://www.nswp.org/sites/nswp.org/files/Criminalisation%20of%20Clients-c.pdf Get in touch: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire. Artwork by Simba Baylon @simbalenciaga. Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Since 1971, the US has led a global campaign to criminalise and eradicate certain psychoactive substances: this is known as the war on drugs. On last week’s episode of Media Storm, we looked at the racialised impact of this punitive policy, which - despite aiming for the eradication of drugs - has seen drug-related deaths increase and drug use remain commonplace.  So if the war on drugs has failed, what comes next? This week, we look at harm reduction: a different approach to drugs. We’re joined in the studio by Niamh Eastwood, Executive Director of the advocacy group Release, and Juan Fernandez, from the ‘Support. Don’t Punish’ campaign. The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia), with Helena Da Silva Merron as researcher.  Guests: Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease @release_drugs Juan Fernandez @jfernandezochoa @supportdontpunish Sources: Drug fatalities England and Wales: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsrelatedtodrugpoisoninginenglandandwales/previousReleases Scotland drug fatalities vs. Europe: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/files/statistics/drug-related-deaths/20/drug-related-deaths-20-pub.pdf Get in touch Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com  Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire. Artwork by Simba Baylon @simbalenciaga. Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Read the transcript: https://mediastormpodcast.com/2022/03/17/1-8-the-uks-war-on-drugs-politics-and-prohibition/ Warning: Strong language, drug use ‘DRUG TRAGEDY’, ‘DRUG CRIME’, ‘DRUG FEARS’— these are common tabloid staples. But are drugs the problem? Or is it in fact the war on drugs? Data that links drug use to crime and death rates are often used to justify militant political crackdowns. But historical trends reveal a disturbing pattern: the more we have pursued a war on drugs, the more drug fatalities have risen. This week, Media Storm speaks to people who buy and sell illegal drugs. We uncover the true depths of drug culture in the UK and the impact of a 50-year war that has ravished marginalised communities, with analysis from Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Dr Kojo Koram. We’re joined in the studio by Niamh Eastwood - Executive Director of the advocacy group Release - and Juan Fernandez - leader of the ‘Support. Don’t Punish’ campaign - to look at recent headlines on Rylan Clark and our fascination with alleged celebrity drug use, front pages on festival fatalities, and to ask whether the media is trailing behind the cultural conversation. The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia), with Helena Da Silva Merron as researcher. The voice of the dealer is Josh Finan. Guests David Lammy @DavidLammy Dr Kojo Koram @KojoKoram Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease @release_drugs Juan Fernandez @jfernandezochoa @supportdontpunish Sources Drug fatalities England and Wales: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsrelatedtodrugpoisoninginenglandandwales/previousReleases Scotland drug fatalities vs. Europe: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/files/statistics/drug-related-deaths/20/drug-related-deaths-20-pub.pdf The David Lammy Review, 2017: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/643001/lammy-review-final-report.pdf Get in touch Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire. Artwork by Simba Baylon @simbalenciaga. Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media Storm presented by Mathilda Mallinson and Helena Wadia Bonus Episode: Homelessness and how to help, by people who've been there Last episode, Media Storm investigated homelessness behind closed doors: the hidden figures in hostels, cafes, on nightbuses or couch-surfing. This week, we look at the homelessness on our streets: the people we can see, how they get treated, and what we the public could do better. The answers are brought to you by people in the know - people who've been in that position. This is what to do when you see a homeless person, by people who've been homeless themselves. Your hosts: Mathilda Mallinson @mathildamall Helena Wadia @helenawadia   Speakers: Kerri Douglas @KerriDouglas18 Earl Charlton @EarlCharlton2 Chase Archer Evans @HomelessAss Get in touch: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire.  Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warning: Strong language Official homelessness statistics are a fraction of the numbers that charities claim to exist. Is someone sugarcoating the data? Is it a genuine mistake? Or are we looking in wrong places? With fines and sentences for sleeping on the streets, the UK and many other countries make no apologies for targeting rough sleeping. Temporary accommodation facilities earn private contractors hundreds of millions in state benefits every year. But are they actually helping, or just keeping the problem behind closed doors? This week, Media Storm speaks to people who are and have been homeless. They expose some disconcerting truths about these state-supported lodgings, systemic attempts to remove vulnerable people from public view, and the catastrophic levels of homelessness lying hidden in the wings. Comedian Kai Samra joins us in the studio to take a look at some of the latest headlines on homelessness, and discuss what reporting on the topic often gets wrong. Your hosts: Mathilda Mallinson @mathildamall Helena Wada @helenawadia Your guests: Kai Samra @kaisamra Benjay Crossman @benjaycrossman Earl Charlton @earljc78 @nehest2014 Kerri Douglas @kerridouglas18 Paul Atherton @LondonersLondon Sources: Introductory statistics: (official 1) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/rough-sleeping-snapshot-in-england-autumn-2020/rough-sleeping-snapshot-in-england-autumn-2020 ; (official 2) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1050291/Statutory_Homelessness_Stats_Release_July-September_2021.pdf ; (Crisis) https://www.crisis.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/227-000-households-across-britain-are-experiencing-the-worst-forms-of-homelessness/) Profits for accommodation providers: https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/27/hostels-from-hell-the-supported-housing-that-blights-birmingham Care leavers: (Guardian) https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/nov/11/we-are-failing-children-in-care-and-they-are-dying-on-our-streets ; (official) https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8429/CBP-8429.pdf Vagrancy Act: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7836/ Prison releases: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1006474/2021_Q4_CPT_publication.pdf Get in touch Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire. Artwork by Simba Baylon @simbalenciaga. Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Content warning: Eating disorders "New Year, New You": that’s the message you've probably heard in the mainstream media for the last month. On last week’s episode Fatphobia: Healthcare by Size, we dissected how the mainstream news media helps the diet industry profit off of our insecurities. But - the conversation doesn’t end here, and that’s because fatphobia doesn’t affect all plus-size people in the same way. Various intersections, such as race, or gender identity, or queerness, can change the way people experience body image. We asked author & journalist Stephanie Yeboah and author & artist Essie Dennis to tell us more about their experiences of body image and intersectionality. Stephanie spoke about the Body Positive movement's erasure of plus-size black women and why she feels the movement no longer represents her, and Essie told us about her new book Queer Body Power and finding positivity in a world that tells you to just be smaller... Stephanie Yeboah (@stephanieyeboah) is a content creator, journalist, and the author of Fattily Ever After. Essie Dennis (@khal_essie) is an artist and owner of the art shop Queer In Colour. She is also the author of Queer Body Power, out on March 21st. Get in touch: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire. Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media Storm presented by Mathilda Mallinson and Helena Wadia Read the transcript: https://mediastormpodcast.com/2022/02/08/1-6-fatphobia-healthcare-by-size-with-stephanie-yeboah-and-essie-dennis/ Content warning: Fatphobia, disordered eating Being told to lose weight is almost unavoidable. The news, TV shows, films, adverts and your family & friends mostly prescribe to the same school of thought: that being fat is 'bad', and that being thin is 'good'. But it turns out: that's not true. This episode, we look into weight bias in healthcare and how fatphobia in medical settings is putting the lives of plus size people in danger - especially those with the reproductive condition endometriosis. Plus, we're joined in the studio by Stephanie Yeboah and Essie Dennis to discuss how the mainstream media depicts plus size people and what needs to change, and how we can stop diet culture from stripping away the joys of everyday life.  Speakers (in order of appearance):  Helena Burton-Jones @helena_mbj Katherine Irene @katherineirenecoaching Professor Rachel Batterham @ProfBatterhamMD @ObesityEmpower Stephanie Yeboah @stephanieyeboah Essie Dennis @khal_essie Sources: Royal College of Physicians course: https://store.rcplondon.ac.uk/product?catalog=Raising-the-topic-and-discussing-obesity-with-patients US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health: https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=4&lvlid=25  The epidemiology of overweight and obesity: public health crisis or moral panic https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/35/1/55/849914 Why are there race/ethnic differences in adult body mass index–adiposity relationships? A quantitative critical review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4968570/  Endometriosis UK: https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/endometriosis-facts-and-figures  Get in touch: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire.  Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media Storm presented by Mathilda Mallinson and Helena Wadia If you’ve read UK news over the past year, you’ll likely have heard of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill making its way through Parliament. It’s a "tough-on-crime" piece of policy - a phrase the government use readily. And it’s back in the headlines this week, as The House of Lords voted against its plans to clamp down on disruptive and noisy protesters. Part of the Policing Bill's promise is sending more criminals in prison for longer. Yet, judging by some headlines, being locked up isn’t even punishment enough. Prisons are frequently criticised for being too luxurious and too lenient. Is this really the case? We asked Paula Harriott, who spent four years in prison, to tell us the truth about so-called 'luxury prisons'.  Paula Harriott (@paula_harriott) is Head of Prisoner Engagement at the Prison Reform Trust (@PRTuk).  Get in touch: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire.  Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media Storm presented by Mathilda Mallinson and Helena Wadia Read the transcript: https://mediastormpodcast.com/2022/02/07/1-5-criminal-justice-does-prison-work-with-the-secret-barrister-and-paula-harriott/ Plans to lock up 20,000 new prisoners, a Home Secretary who wants criminals to “literally feel terror”, and the highest incarceration rate in Western Europe… This is the UK’s ‘tough on crime’ mantle, and a political battleground fought all over the world. Media outlets vilify ‘thugs’ and ‘terrorists’ while politicians auction for the ‘law and order’ vote. But with no clear correlation between incarceration and crime rates, are we keeping people safe, or just keeping them scared? This week, your hosts sit down with The Secret Barrister and former prisoner Paula Harriott to talk all things crime - from prisons to Prince Andrew - after heading behind bars to answer one simple question: does prison work? Your hosts Mathilda Mallinson @mathildamall Helena Wada @helenawadia Your Guests The Secret Barrister @barristersecret https://thesecretbarrister.com/ Paula Harriott @paula_harriott https://weareagenda.org/board/paula-harriott-2/  Sources Priti Patel op-ed https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7316055/I-want-criminals-terrified-says-Priti-Patel-Home-Secretary-restore-confidence-Britain.html European incarceration rates: https://www.statista.com/statistics/957501/incarceration-rate-in-europe/  UK incarceration rate: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn04334/  Policy: https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN05646/SN05646.pdf  Prison population projections: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1035682/Prison_Population_Projections_2021_to_2026.pdf  Ofsted review of prison education: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/launching-our-prison-education-review Police, Crimes, Sentencing and Courts Bill: Mental health in prisons: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/7455/documents/78054/default/ 1976 Bail Act in action: https://howardleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/APPG-For-their-own-protection-FINAL.pdf  Domestic abuse in UK prisons: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/female-offender-strategy  Get in touch Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire. Artwork by Simba Baylon @simbalenciaga. Prison sounds from Cody Lachey @ExOffenderCodyy. Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media Storm will be back with more episodes on Thursday 13 January. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media Storm presented by Mathilda Mallinson and Helena Wadia Content warning: Suicide, self-harm Episode 1.4: Transgender healthcare: A waiting game - with Laura Blake and Shivani Dave  Read the transcript: https://mediastormpodcast.com/2021/12/30/1-4-transgender-healthcare-a-waiting-game/ The mainstream media might have us all thinking changing genders is a piece of cake - that hormones are being readily prescribed and surgeries booked in swiftly. But with people waiting years for the first ever appointment - that's simply not the case. Cancellations, discrimination from healthcare staff and semi-decade long waiting lists - this is the reality for gender diverse people. NHS England’s Gender Identity Development Service are currently seeing people referred in 2018. For other clinics, it’s 2017. Media Storm investigates the lack of healthcare for trans people, finds out what it’s like to be stuck in the waiting game, and sits down with The Good Law Project, who are taking the NHS to court. We’re joined in the studio by Laura Blake (she/her) and Shivani Dave (they/them), to discuss the mainstream media’s depiction of transgender and non-binary people, plus look at some of the week’s headlines on conversion therapy and trans people. Speakers (in order of appearance): Felix Mufti @felixmufti Eva Echo @EvaEch0 Jo Maugham @JolyonMaugham @GoodLawProject Cleo Madeleine @quidtumcicero @Genderintell Shivani Dave @ShivaniDave @dah_vey Laura Blake @heylaurablake Sources: GIDS waiting times: https://gids.nhs.uk/how-long-wait-first-appointment-gids GIC waiting times: https://gic.nhs.uk/appointments/waiting-times/ Gender GP survey on bridging hormones: https://www.gendergp.com/bridging-hormones/ The Transgender Issue, Shon Faye: https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/the-transgender-issue-an-argument-for-justice  Get in touch: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire.  Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media Storm presented by Mathilda Mallinson and Helena Wadia Content warning: Rape, sexual violence, FGM Episode 1.3: Rape Justice: What happens to the 98%? - with Leyla Hussein and Gina Martin Read the transcript: https://mediastormpodcast.com/2021/12/15/1-3-rape-justice-what-happens-to-the-98/ Authorities declined to reveal the true rape conviction figures in a Freedom of Information request by Media Storm, after we discovered that the reported numbers - which hit a record low in 2020 at 1,109 - are over-inflated. It follows Guardian revelations that 98% of rape investigations are dropped by police. But this is not an exclusively British problem. Judging by public data, US police drop 95% of rape investigations; Swedish 96%; Belgian 94%. So how do you begin to diagnose an issue that is so far-reaching? Media Storm sets off across the pond and back, sits down with national police and prosecution chiefs, and follows an unravelling battle in Parliament, to find out why the overwhelming majority of rapists walk free on our streets. We are also joined in the studio by Dr Leyla Hussein, women's rights activist and founder of Safe Spaces for Black Women, and Gina Martin, writer and the campaigner who made upskirting illegal. We discuss how the mainstream media depicts victims of sexual assault, how male-perpetrated violence litters our pop culture, and discuss the latest reporting on the case of Alice Sebold.  Donate to Dr Leyla Hussein’s Safe Spaces for Black Women: https://www.gofundme.com/f/safe-spaces-for-black-women Subscribe to Gina Martin’s newsletter: https://ginamartin.substack.com/ Speakers (order of appearance): Alison Turkos @alisonturkos Pieke Roelofs @pieke_r www.photoandgrime.com Verity Nevitt @veritynevitt www.thegeminiproject.org Dame Vera Baird, Victim’s Commissioner @VictimsComm Sarah Crew, National Police Chiefs Council @aspsarah_crew Siobhan Blake, Crown Prosecution Service @CPSUK @crownprosecutors Dr Leyla Hussein @LeylaHussein @SafeSpaces4BW Gina Martin @ginamartin Sources: UK prosecution: https://www.cps.gov.uk/publication/cps-data-summary-quarter-4-2020-2021 UK police charges: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/may/23/fewer-than-one-in-60-cases-lead-to-charge-in-england-and-wales UK crime survey: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/natureofsexualassaultbyrapeorpenetrationenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2020 USA prosecution: https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/cv19.pdf Get in touch: Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Music by Samfire @soundofsamfire. Artwork by Simba Baylon @simbalenciaga. Media Storm is brought to you by the house of The Guilty Feminist and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media Storm presented by Mathilda Mallinson and Helena Wadia Episode 1.2 Pandemic of hate: We need to talk about anti-Asian abuse - with Zing Tsjeng and Hussein Kesvani Transcript: https://mediastormpodcast.com/2021/12/13/1-2-pandemic-of-hate-we-need-to-talk-about-anti-asian-abuse/ With reports anti-Asian hate speech surged by 1,662% during the pandemic, and many accounts of rising hate crimes against Asian communities, Media Storm hears from those personally affected. It seeks to find out the impact of the pandemic on Asian people, and investigate the accuracy of the data that emerged over the Covid-19 crisis. Vice UK editor Zing Tsjeng and podcaster & producer Hussein Kesvani join us in the studio to discuss the way the mainstream media reported on the pandemic and the 2021 Atlanta Spa shootings, East & South Asian representation on screen, and the latest coverage of cricketer Azeem Rafiq's accusations of racism and bullying at Yorkshire.  https://www.ditchthelabel.org/research-papers/hate-speech-report-2021/  https://stopaapihate.org/national-report-through-september-2021/ Get in touch Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm is part of The House of the Guilty Feminist Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript: https://mediastormpodcast.com/2021/11/29/1-1-eldorado-why-do-refugees-love-the-uk/ With headlines reporting ‘record numbers of migrants’ reaching the UK in dinghies, Media Storm heads across the Channel to find out why they’re coming. Reports this week show the government declined a Freedom of Information request to reveal their research on this very topic. It raises questions over the government’s repeated claim that accepting asylum seekers creates a ‘pull factor’ and encourages more people to come. With moves underway to criminalise the crossing, contain people in island camps thousands of miles away, and launch potentially fatal ‘turn-back’ operations at sea, we look at whether this ‘pull factor’ is really what’s causing the crisis. Writer, actor, co-founder of Refugee Media Centre, and real life refugee Steve Ali also joins us in the studio to discuss his experiences of seeking asylum and why he thinks the mainstream media reports on refugees the way it does - with a deep dive into some of this week's newspaper headlines. National asylum figures https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/asylum-and-resettlement-datasets (UK) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Asylum_statistics (Europe) Get in touch Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/mediastormpod or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mediastormpod or Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mediastormpod like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MediaStormPod send us an email mediastormpodcast@gmail.com check out our website https://mediastormpodcast.com Media Storm is part of The House of the Guilty Feminist Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media Storm is a new podcast from The House of the Guilty Feminist. Episode 0. Deborah Frances-White Read the transcript: https://mediastormpodcast.com/2021/11/24/0-deborah-frances-white-meets-mathilda-and-helena/ Mathilda and Helena talk to Deborah about their new podcast, what it aims to do and how they came up with the idea. Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/helenawadia https://twitter.com/MathildaMall https://twitter.com/DeborahFW Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media Storm is the new podcast from The House of the Guilty Feminist Where fact-checking meets fun, reporting meets road-trip and the mainstream media meets its match, Media Storm is a news podcast that starts with the people who are normally asked last. "Migrants", "criminals" and "sex workers" are some of the biggest stars in the headlines, yet we rarely actually hear from them. There’s no right of reply – and that’s just bad journalism. Here, from the house of The Guilty Feminist, Media Storm hands the mic to people with lived experience, to shed new light on old stories and roast the headlines that love to roast them. Presented by Mathilda Mallinson and Helena Wadia Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/media-storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices