Background Briefing

Sometimes they’re armed with a chainsaw, sometimes a bottle of poison, and often they’re operating in broad daylight. So why is it so hard to catch Sydney’s tree killers?

Daniel Duggan’s career was spent pushing warplanes to their limits. Now the United States wants him extradited from Australia and prosecuted for conspiracy. The Australian pilot says he innocent, and believes he’s a pawn in the geopolitical contest between the US and China.

Olivia went on Australia’s biggest show to find love. She came out as Australia's "most hated" reality TV star and lost almost everything.Reporter Annika Blau investigates the making of a TV villain.

In this engaging discussion, reporter Rachael Cusick explores the devastating fallout of the infamous Royal prank call, revealing its far-reaching consequences. Mel Gregg, one of the radio announcers involved, shares her journey from runaway to broadcaster, illustrating the complexities of humor in media. They delve into the emotional turmoil following the prank, examining the feelings of guilt and responsibility that haunt those involved. The conversation highlights the deep scars left in the wake of a joke gone tragically wrong, raising important questions about ethics in broadcasting.

Explore the secretive world of a scam factory on the outskirts of Dubai, where employees craft elaborate deceptions. Hear firsthand accounts of victims ensnared in the 'pig butchering' scam and the emotional turmoil it leaves behind. Delve into the manipulative tactics scammers use to exploit vulnerabilities, and witness the efforts of vigilantes and private investigators battling organized crime. Learn about the proactive measures being taken by authorities and the formation of the National Anti-Scam Centre to combat these relentless fraudsters.

There's a saying that every good story needs a bad guy. 

How the Commonwealth Bank tried to stop a royal commission by using dirt files, intimidation, threats and surveillance against whistleblowers and journalists. Reporter Adele Ferguson investigates.

Three dead dolphins turn up in an oil spill.

"Simone" arrived on a remote island to help asylum seekers. But she witnessed something there that convinced her to leak over 2000 documents. Reporters Paul Farrell and Maddison Conaughton investigate what happened.

When patients start unexpectedly dying at a regional hospital, nurse Toni Hoffman takes a big risk to blow the whistle on a negligent surgeon. But years later, it's still unclear why she was ignored for so long.