Iran’s war time propaganda videos featuring AI rap music and Lego characters are getting millions of views online. 

They praise the Islamic Republic, and mock Trump. But their message is also dark, anti-semitic and leaning into conspiracy theories.

So how has a regime that’s shut down the internet, and isn’t known for its sense of humor captured the zeitgeist so well?

Today, Holly Dagres, an Iranian-American analyst from the Washington Institute on Iran’s viral meme war and what it tells us about the regime. 

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

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Guest: Senior fellow at the Washington Institute, Holly Dagres

Iran&rsquo;s war time propaganda videos featuring AI rap music and Lego characters are getting millions of views online.&nbsp; They praise the Islamic Republic, and mock Trump. But their message is also dark, anti-semitic and leaning into conspiracy theories. So how has a regime that&rsquo;s shut down the internet, and isn&rsquo;t known for its sense of humor captured the zeitgeist so well?
Today, Holly Dagres, an Iranian-American analyst from the Washington Institute on Iran&rsquo;s viral meme war and what it tells us about the regime.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Senior fellow at the Washington Institute, Holly Dagres

An independent daily news show. We feature the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country&rsquo;s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

Bonus Ep: How Iran is using rap and lego to win the propaganda war

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/b945ab8e-facf-43a6-8a63-b43c000fa9ff/transcript

In 2023, Antionette Lattouf was sacked by the ABC after sharing a Human Rights Watch post about Gaza. 

What followed became one of the most closely watched employment cases in the country, raising questions about political pressure, media independence and whose voices are allowed to be heard. 

Now, after winning her case, Lattouf has written a book about her fight, and the women who’ve taken on powerful institutions and won. She’s also become part of a new independent media movement, as audiences look beyond legacy institutions for voices they feel they can trust. 

Today, Antoinette Lattouf, on the cost of challenging the system, and what comes after winning. 

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

And you can check out Antoinette’s book ‘Women Who Win’ here 

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Journalist and co-founder of Ette Media, Antoinette Lattouf

Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

In 2023, Antionette Lattouf was sacked by the ABC after sharing a Human Rights Watch post about Gaza.&nbsp;
What followed became one of the most closely watched employment cases in the country, raising questions about political pressure, media independence and whose voices are allowed to be heard.&nbsp;
Now, after winning her case, Lattouf has written a book about her fight, and the women who&rsquo;ve taken on powerful institutions and won. She&rsquo;s also become part of a new independent media movement, as audiences look beyond legacy institutions for voices they feel they can trust.&nbsp;
Today, Antoinette Lattouf, on the cost of challenging the system, and what comes after winning.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
If you enjoy&nbsp;7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
And you can check out Antoinette&rsquo;s book &lsquo;Women Who Win&rsquo;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/women-who-win-9781761355370">here</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Journalist and co-founder of Ette Media, Antoinette Lattouf
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

Antoinette Lattouf on her ABC battle and the cost of winning

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/32e8c364-15bd-4ca5-9411-b43d005d409a/transcript

In December last year, in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, Anthony Albanese promised the biggest national gun buyback since Port Arthur.

He wanted states and territories to agree to new gun laws by March and legislate them by July. But that first deadline has passed – and the national response is fracturing.

Queensland and the Northern Territory are refusing the buyback, Tasmania is rejecting a cap on the number of firearms a person can own, and a national register is not expected to be running until 2028.

The Royal Commission into Antisemitism has also weighed in, saying Australia should waste no time in implementing the buyback.

So today, 30 years after Port Arthur, we’re returning to our January episode – where Nicole Johnston speaks with Ebony Bennett from the Australia Institute on why Australia has more guns than ever, and why reform is still so difficult.

This episode was originally published in January, 2026.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Deputy director at The Australia Institute, Ebony Bennett 

Photo: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

In December last year, in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, Anthony Albanese promised the biggest national gun buyback since Port Arthur.
He wanted states and territories to agree to new gun laws by March and legislate them by July. But that first deadline has passed &ndash; and the national response is fracturing.
Queensland and the Northern Territory are refusing the buyback, Tasmania is rejecting a cap on the number of firearms a person can own, and a national register is not expected to be running until 2028.
The Royal Commission into Antisemitism has also weighed in, saying Australia should waste no time in implementing the buyback.
So today, 30 years after Port Arthur, we&rsquo;re returning to our January episode &ndash; where Nicole Johnston speaks with Ebony Bennett from the Australia Institute on why Australia has more guns than ever, and why reform is still so difficult.
This episode was originally published in January, 2026.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Deputy director at The Australia Institute, Ebony Bennett&nbsp;
Photo: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

Why Australia has more guns than ever

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/df8b6d45-8c7e-4b94-ba0e-b43c006bad62/transcript

The Albanese government has moved quickly on the royal commission into antisemitism, accepting all the recommendations from its first report, before public hearings begin. 

It comes at a volatile moment in national politics, after the issue was seized on by the opposition in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, and as the issue of the conflicts in Iran, Gaza and Lebanon continue to expose deep division across the country.

Meanwhile, One Nation is trying to turn its momentum in the polls into something more lasting, backed by a private plane from Gina Rinehart and millions in donations from her allies. 

Today, ABC Radio Melbourne’s Raf Epstein, on the royal commission, the politics of One Nation, and whether the divisions running through the country are likely to deepen. 

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: ABC Radio Melbourne, Raf Epstein

The Albanese government has moved quickly on the royal commission into antisemitism, accepting all the recommendations from its first report, before public hearings begin.&nbsp;
It comes at a volatile moment in national politics, after the issue was seized on by the opposition in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, and as the issue of the conflicts in Iran, Gaza and Lebanon continue to expose deep division across the country.
Meanwhile, One Nation is trying to turn its momentum in the polls into something more lasting, backed by a private plane from Gina Rinehart and millions in donations from her allies.&nbsp;
Today, ABC Radio Melbourne&rsquo;s Raf Epstein, on the royal commission, the politics of One Nation, and whether the divisions running through the country are likely to deepen.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: ABC Radio Melbourne, Raf Epstein

All aboard Gina Air! Pauline’s private plane and the week in politics

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/cc804f5e-8123-45ed-afc0-b43d005b66ad/transcript

Bonus Ep: How Iran is using rap and lego to win the propaganda war

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Bonus Ep: How Iran is using rap and lego to win the propaganda war

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