7am

Jimmy Lai is a media tycoon and hero of Hong Kong’s freedom movement.
A symbol of the city’s fight for democracy and a free press – he has been silenced, handcuffed, and now sentenced to 20 years in prison by a Hong Kong court.
Seen as a traitor by Beijing, Lai has been jailed on charges of sedition and collusion with foreign forces – which he says are politically motivated.
Today, Sebastien Lai on fighting for his father’s freedom and what this case says about China’s ongoing crackdown in Hong Kong.

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: Sebastien Lai, son of jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai
Photo: Kobe Li/Nexpher Images/Sipa USA
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jimmy Lai is a media tycoon and hero of Hong Kong’s freedom movement.
A symbol of the city’s fight for democracy and a free press – he has been silenced, handcuffed, and now sentenced to 20 years in prison by a Hong Kong court.
Seen as a traitor by Beijing, Lai has been jailed on charges of sedition and collusion with foreign forces – which he says are politically motivated.
Today, Sebastien Lai on fighting for his father’s freedom and what this case says about China’s ongoing crackdown in Hong Kong.

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: Sebastien Lai, son of jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai
Photo: Kobe Li/Nexpher Images/Sipa USA
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has arrived in Sydney for a four-day visit to Australia, invited in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack in December.
On Monday, Herzog visited Bondi and laid a wreath to honour the 15 people killed in the attack.
At the same time, pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in Sydney’s CBD to oppose the visit – after organisers launched a Supreme Court challenge to the NSW government’s decision to declare the visit a “major event”, a move that activates special police powers in the city.
It comes on top of the broader protest restrictions NSW introduced after Bondi – which the government says are about community safety in the wake of a terrorist incident – but which civil liberties groups argue tilt too much power toward police discretion and make political protest more difficult.
Today, 7am chats with protestors at the Sydney march, and NSW Council for Civil Liberties president Timothy Roberts, on the new limits being placed on protest in NSW – and across the country.

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: NSW Council for Civil Liberties president, Timothy Roberts
Photo: AAP Image/Flavio Brancaleone
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been just over two weeks since the Liberal and National parties’ dramatic split and now the Coalition is back together.
Sussan Ley and David Littleproud insist they’re now solid, guaranteeing that after two Coalition splits in the space of a year - this time, there’ll be no more break ups.
Today, press gallery journalist Karen Middleton on how the Coalition got back together after their big blow up, and whether this time it’s for good.

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: Press gallery journalist, Karen Middleton
Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TikTok is the most influential media platform for Australians under the age of 25. It’s where millions get their news – whether they realise it or not.
But TikTok is no longer just a cultural force. A Trump-aligned group of investors has taken over its American operations, aimed at keeping China at arm’s length.
Now, users are claiming that content about ICE and its operations in Minnesota, where two American citizens were killed by federal agents, has been difficult to post, has disappeared from the algorithm, or has reached far fewer people than expected.
TikTok has denied political censorship, saying the platform was experiencing technical disruption at the time.
But it’s raised the question: when it comes to TikTok, who gets to decide what Americans see – and what gets buried?
Today, Associate Editor at Crikey, Cam Wilson, on the Trumpification of TikTok.
You can read Cam’s reporting at Crikey.
This episode was first published in October 2025.

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: Associate Editor at Crikey, Cam Wilson
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.