Trump administration chips away at independent media, faith in democracy
Former Washington Post journalist Anna Fifield reflects on her time at the paper, the state of American media, and New Zealand’s role in the world.
On this episode of After America, New Zealand-based journalist Anna Fifield joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the American media during Trump’s second term, views of the United States and China in New Zealand, and what the Australian government can learn from Kiwi diplomacy.
This episode was recorded on Friday 17 July.
Pre-order More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble.
Guest: Anna Fifield, New Zealand-based independent journalist and foreign affairs analyst // @annafifield
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Show notes:
Shorter America: How to steal an election; the US in the World; New and old friends by Emma Shortis, The Point (July 2026)
How do Australians and New Zealanders view Asia and the world in 2026?, the Asia New Zealand Foundation (July 2026)
Mr Albanese goes to the Pacific (again) by Allan Behm, The Point (July 2026)
Photo: The White House/Flickr (U.S. Government work)
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions
We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.
Between the Lines Newsletter
The biggest stories and the best analysis from the team at the Australia Institute, delivered to your inbox every fortnight.
You might also like
Can Albanese claim ‘success’ with Trump? Beyond the banter, the vague commitments should be viewed with scepticism
By all the usual diplomatic measures, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s meeting with US President Donald Trump was a great success. “Success” in a meeting with Trump is to avoid the ritual humiliation the president sometimes likes to inflict on his interlocutors. In that sense, Albanese and his team pulled off an impressive diplomatic feat. While there was one awkward
As American democracy faces huge tests, is Australia prepared for the worst?
No one knows what’ll happen at the November midterms or the next presidential election. Is the Australian government prepared for the worst-case scenario?
In Trump we trust? | Between the Lines
The Wrap with Bill Browne Prime Minister Anthony Albanese returns from a meeting with the mercurial US President Donald Trump, a great diplomatic success by the usual measures. Trump said without hedging that Australia would get nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS pact and inked a critical minerals deal to “unlock” private investment. The media lapped