Background Briefing

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. 

Kathy Jackson was once heralded as a revolutionary who shone a bright spotlight on union corruption but she too was later found to be a fraudster who had misappropriated hundreds of thousands of dollars in union members' money. So who was the man responsible for blowing the whistle on her? Reporter Annika Blau investigates.

When an electoral officer helps police arrest a popular politician, her life begins to unravel. Her boss would spend more than a decade in prison, but she loses her job, and is even eventually admitted to a mental health institution. Now she’s asking: could he have been stopped earlier? Reporter Tynan King investigates.

What happens when a person blows the whistle on wrongdoing?