7am

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.

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Guest: Associate Editor at Crikey, Cam Wilson
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This week Australians were hit with another reminder that the cost-of-living crisis isn’t over, and that the government's room to move is narrowing fast.
An interest rate rise has sharpened the pressure on Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers, just as a federal budget looms. The government is now forced to weigh up expectations of economic reform vs political risk.
Meanwhile, the Opposition is unravelling in plain sight; the Coalition split, with the Nationals relegated to the crossbench.
Today, press gallery veteran, Paul Bongiorno, on how exposed the government really is, how bold it can afford to be, and how the opposition’s collapse is reshaping the political contest.

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Guest: Press gallery veteran, Paul Bongiorno
Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
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In the wake of the Bondi terror attack, the Prime Minister invited Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Australia, a move framed as an act of solidarity with the Jewish community.
But that visit, which begins on Sunday, is now sparking criticism, including from within the government, with a series of protests planned across the country.
Supporters of the visit say Herzog’s presence will bring comfort to grieving families. But critics argue it risks deepening divides, particularly as Israel faces genocide allegations at the International Court of Justice, with Herzog’s own statements cited as evidence.
Today, Principal lawyer at Maurice Blackburn, Josh Bornstein, on the visit that’s raising tensions and dividing communities and whether those divisions can ever can ever be mended.

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Guest: Josh Bornstein, Principal lawyer at Maurice Blackburn
Photo: AAP Image/Callum Godde
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Between them, the US and Russia hold 90 per cent of the world’s nuclear firepower.
But today, the New START Treaty, which limits the number of missiles and warheads in their arsenals, expires.
President Putin first suspended it two years ago.
Now, without a last-minute deal, it looks set to collapse for good amid fears of a new nuclear arms race.
Today, a view from the inside as we speak with Paul Dean – who helped implement the Treaty and is now a Vice President for the US-based ‘Nuclear Threat Initiative’ – on the threat of nuclear war.

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Guest: Paul Dean, Vice President of Nuclear Threat Initiative’s Global Nuclear Policy Program
Photo: U.S. Energy Department via AP, File
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For years, survivors of some of the worst crimes imaginable have been put through hell. Their perpetrators allowed to use glowing character references in court, in an effort to have their sentences reduced.
But today, that’s set to change as New South Wales introduces new laws scrapping character references for all criminal sentencing - in response to years of campaigning from sexual abuse survivors.
Today, ‘Your Reference Ain’t Relevant’ Cofounder Harrison James on what these changes mean and how the rest of the country is lagging behind on character reference reform.

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: Cofounder of ‘Your Reference Ain’t Relevant’, Harrison James
Photo: AAP Image/Sarah Wilson
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.