Malcolm Turnbull explores threats facing democracy in new podcast

Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has joined LiSTNR with his new podcast, Defending Democracy with Malcolm Turnbull; a six-part series that examines the threats facing democracy.  

Each episode features discussions with global figures and commentators including former British Prime Minister Theresa May, former US Republican Party Congressman Adam Kinzinger, veteran Homeland Security official John Cohen, Australian Members of Parliament Allegra Spender MP and Zali Steggall MP, journalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa, and American author Nina Jankowicz.

Together they explore whether liberal democracies can prevail against populist authoritarians, if the madness of the ‘angertainment’ industry can be stopped without hindering free speech, what lessons can Americans learn from Australian democracy and what warnings Australians can take from America, from Europe and closer to home here in Asia.

“Democracy is under more threat than ever, so I have been talking with people, at home and around the world, who are trying to defend it,” said former Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull.

“We are talking about the honesty and respect that is critical to the democracy’s defence, the electoral systems that can give it resilience against authoritarians and the media which creates the environment in which democracy can either flourish or perish.”

“I am an optimist. I believe democracy can survive, but it is not assured. In this podcast series, we will examine the forces that are threatening our democracy and what we can do to chart a way out of the chaos.” 

LiSTNR Head of News and Information, Melanie Withnall, said: “Having someone of Malcolm Turnbull’s experience and standing speak out on what he sees are the biggest threats to our democracy was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. We are thrilled to have his podcast on LiSTNR.”

The first two episodes of Defending Democracy with Malcolm Turnbull are available now on LiSTNR or wherever you get your podcasts.