Background Briefing
Background Briefing tells true stories not everyone will want you to hear. We infuse investigative reporting with captivating drama, following the thread of an individual story only to find that it leads us to something bigger. It's the only podcast in Australia that does this week in, week out.
Hosted by Thomas Oriti.
We want to hear from you too. If you have a tip-off, please contact us at backgroundbriefing[at]abc.net.au
Latest episodes
Jul 18, 2025 • 39min
04 Beef | YouTube detectives uncover PlayStation guru’s shocking secret
It started with a bizarre customer-service experience and soon transformed into something darker. Outrage rippled across Youtube, spurring an army of online vigilantes into action. But as reporter Maddison Connaughton discovered, the stakes were higher than anyone anticipated.
Jul 11, 2025 • 37min
03 Beef | Pensioner takes big bank to court to prove a point
Rachel Clayton, a dedicated reporter, joins 73-year-old Ian Williams, a retiree from Bendigo, who is boldly challenging NAB in the Supreme Court after being scammed out of $1,338. Ian's inspiring journey illustrates the perseverance of an everyday hero against a corporate giant, as he seeks over $300 million in damages. They delve into the emotional toll of legal battles and the complexities of navigating fraud victimization. This conversation sheds light on the need for reforms to protect consumers from the rampant issues of banking fraud.
Jul 4, 2025 • 38min
02 Beef | Who would shoot a wombat?
Most Aussies see wombats as an iconic native. But reporter Tynan King discovered one regional NSW town where farmers see them through a scope.
Jun 27, 2025 • 43min
01 Beef | Big Rob versus just about everyone in town
Big Rob has gone from online vigilante to censured politician, starting little fights that have become big problems for his divided city.
Jun 24, 2025 • 37sec
INTRODUCING — Beef
A new series by Background Briefing investigates when small feuds take on a life of their own. First episode coming June 28.
Jun 13, 2025 • 19min
Long Read | The hunt for the next pandemic is on our shores
This week, reporter Catherine Taylor investigates a new strain of avian flu virus that's running rampant across Europe, Asia, South America and the US. How long can we keep it from reaching us?
Jun 6, 2025 • 25min
Long Read | Can Wikipedia survive the rise of AI and Trump?
Rhiannon Stevens, a Features reporter at the ABC, dives into the precarious future of Wikipedia. She discusses how AI technologies threaten the platform’s integrity and the impact of political dynamics, particularly under Trump's influence. The conversation highlights the fight against misinformation and the crucial role of individual contributors in maintaining the site's reliability. Stevens paints a vivid picture of Wikipedia at a crucial crossroads, raising essential questions about truth in the digital age.
May 30, 2025 • 21min
Long Read | Australia: burnout capital, or how to get a career break right
This week, Annie Louey discovers what happens when your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing means your career is no longer worth the money.
May 24, 2025 • 37min
05 Agents of Influence | The letters journalists fear
There’s something shaping what appears in your newsfeed that you might not be aware of. Reporter Gina McKeon investigates.
May 16, 2025 • 37min
04 Agents of Influence | The powerbroker unseated by ‘traitors’
This week, reporter Annika Blau gets the inside story of a union powerbroker’s rise, and the people who risked it all to stop her
