
Background Briefing
Background Briefing brings you true stories not everyone will want you to hear.
Latest episodes

Aug 7, 2021 • 38min
Inside the epicentre of Australia's Delta outbreak
As COVID-19 cases surged in Sydney's south-west City of Fairfield, the government enforced tougher restrictions on residents there. But as Geoff Thompson discovers, these constraints have had some devastating repercussions on one of Sydney's poorest areas and where more than half its workers are in industries which can't work from home.

Jul 31, 2021 • 42min
Reality TV's reckoning
Reality shows are a central pillar of the television industry, but for the people who appear on them, the productions can be a gateway to years of mental anguish.As Naomi Selvaratnam found out, for some reality TV stars their moment in the spotlight nearly cost them their life.

Jul 24, 2021 • 38min
A far-right troll's journey from an Ipswich bedroom to global infamy
A young Australian far-right troll was known to his online fans as 'Catboy Kami'. Thousands followed his 'edgy' videos where he targeted children online with a mix of racial stereotypes and hardcore shock tactics. With that fame and notoriety, he's become a useful recruitment tool in the expansion of one of the globe's most extreme social movements.Alex Mann reveals Catboy Kami's true identity and how this young live streamer from south east Queensland ended up in the United States mixing with the top ranks of the white power movement.

Jul 17, 2021 • 6min
Myanmar: The Spring Revolution
In Myanmar, after a military coup in February this year, mass protests were met with brutal force. Borders were shut, the internet was blocked and it is estimated that around 900 people have been killed by the military. But some brave, young activists have filmed their acts of resistance. As their options close, what hope do they have to win back democracy?Due to copyright restrictions there will be no Background Briefing podcast or transcript for this program.You can listen to the full episode here: BBC Radio 4 - Crossing Continents, Myanmar: The Spring Revolution

Jul 10, 2021 • 45min
Unmasking Monsters
Bob Montgomery was one of Australia's most famous psychologists.But he was hiding a dark secret.Josh Robertson has the story of how he got away with it for so long.

Jul 3, 2021 • 45min
Her name was Mhelody Bruno
She died in tragic circumstances, but it seems that the public, her family, even the court may not have been given the full story.Elise Kinsella investigates why.

Jun 26, 2021 • 41min
The death Uber Eats disowned
Relatives of a dead food delivery rider say he was at work when a truck hit him. Uber Eats says he wasn’t. Patrick Begley investigates

Jun 26, 2021 • 41min
The death Uber Eats disowned
Relatives of a dead food delivery rider say he was at work when a truck hit him. Uber Eats says he wasn’t. Patrick Begley investigates

Jun 19, 2021 • 36min
The killer we've invited into the lounge room
When winter arrives there's nothing like curling up in front of a fire heater with a glass of wine. But there's something disturbing in this cosy picture. As Alison Branley discovers, there's a huge risk to our health that we seem determined to ignore, even though it's estimated to kill hundreds of Australians every year

Jun 12, 2021 • 41min
How Australians are escaping India's Covid catastrophe
Thousands of Australians went to India back when it seemed like coronavirus was under control. Some went to care for elderly parents. But, as Alex Mann discovers, their noble intentions counted for nothing when they were locked out of Australia and found themselves in a fight to survive and find a way home.