Four Corners

[TV.Cynic]

Orphans of ISIS

Monday 15 April at 8.30pm

A grandmother’s desperate journey to rescue her children and bring them home.

“Just because their last name is Sharrouf, [it] doesn’t mean they are monsters.” Karen Nettleton.

On Monday Four Corners exclusively brings you the story of the Sharrouf children and their grandmother’s epic fight to find them and bring them home to Australia.

“I’d never thought I’d be in this situation ever. I mean trying to get children out of Syria. I’m just a grandma from the suburbs.” Karen Nettleton.

If there was one family that represented the alarming tide of Australians flocking to the black flag of Islamic State, it was the Sharroufs. The children of the notorious jihadist Khaled Sharrouf were taken to the self-declared caliphate in 2014. The world learned of them after their father published pictures of his eldest son holding the severed head of an IS prisoner, sending shockwaves around the world.

“This image… is really one of the most disturbing, stomach-turning, grotesque photographs ever displayed - of a seven-year-old child holding a severed head up with pride and with the support and encouragement of a parent.” Then US Secretary of State, John Kerry.

For five years their grandmother, Karen Nettleton, has been trying to reach the children and bring them home.

“She is not going to give up. She once said ‘Don’t underestimate this nanna’. And sure as day follows night, no matter how depressed and upset she is, she picks herself up.” Robert Van Aalst, lawyer.

She has mounted several rescue missions, with each one ending in failure. Now, in Syria, she’s making a last-ditch effort to save them from a squalid refugee camp.

“I just hope today is the day I get them. If not, I will try again tomorrow and the next day because I’m not going home without them.” Karen Nettleton.

Reporter Dylan Welch and producer Suzanne Dredge have documented the family’s experience for four years, travelling with the children’s grandmother as she tries to convince the authorities in Syria and Australia to release the family into her care and allow them to return home.

“Are my children a risk to Australia? Absolutely not, absolutely not. No way.”

What happened to this family over the years they lived in the IS caliphate has remained untold. Now on Four Corners, you will see and hear their story.

Orphans of ISIS, reported by Dylan Welch, goes to air on Monday 15th April at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 16th April at 1.00pm and Wednesday 17th at 11.20pm. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.

[TV.Cynic]

The Interrogation

Monday 29 April at 8.30pm

The controversial police technique putting innocent people behind bars.

“When I finally realised what had happened in that interrogation room, it was like an ‘Oh my God’ moment.” Former homicide detective

The idea that anyone would willingly confess to a crime they didn’t commit sounds unbelievable, particularly when the punishment may be life in prison or even the death penalty.

“They get to a breaking point where they decide that it is in their best interest to confess.” Professor of Psychology

But a series of high-profile cases across America has revealed a slew of wrongful convictions based on false confessions and placed the spotlight on a widely used police interrogation technique designed to make people confess.

“Anybody who’s been the victim of a high-pressure sales tactic knows what this feels like. Anybody who says that they would never ever confess to a crime that they didn’t do, they haven’t been under this sort of pressure.” Former homicide detective

The technique sees police officers wage psychological war on suspects through a nine step interrogation process.

“If you let him talk, he’ll say the words, ‘I didn’t do it.’ And the more often a person says they didn’t do it, the more difficult it becomes for us to get a confession.” Interrogation training video.

Wrongful conviction investigators say the process is a travesty of justice.

“It is not based on any science whatsoever. It is just based on their own observations. The real science says its baloney, it doesn’t work. And, when they have done experiments with it, they pretty much show that the accuracy is like flipping a coin. It’s 50/50.” Former homicide detective

One man, who spent almost his entire adult life in jail for a murder he didn’t commit, tells of how he was convinced to confess to a shocking crime.

“I was just ready to do whatever they wanted me to do. Whatever you want me to sign, I’m signing so, in my mind, once I got an attorney, he would be able to do what’s necessary to show that I was innocent, and I didn’t commit this crime.” Former prisoner

Another, locked up for two decades, say no amount of compensation can match what he has been through.

“They could have offered me 100 million dollars. Would it give me comfort? Yes…but that doesn’t give me my years back.” Former prisoner.

The families who fought to free them say they were badly let down by law enforcement.

“They took an oath to help, to save lives and fight for people. And they did not do that, not in my son’s case. They were comfortable. They were satisfied that they had a man, and that’s all they really wanted, was a body. So, they took my son, for 21 years and 12 days.”

Lawyers warn that wrongful convictions will continue to occur without changes to the justice system.

“There is a culture of unaccountability. And, police officers know that they can engage in misconduct that has nothing to do with solving a crime and everything to do with pointing the finger at, perhaps, the easiest person to point the finger at. And, there will be no consequence. And so, it happens over, and over, and over in the United States.” Lawyer

The Interrogation, a film by Laurent Richard for Premiere Lignes, goes to air on Monday 29th April at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 30th April at 1.00pm and Wednesday 1st May at 11.20pm. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.

[TV.Cynic]

Cash Cows

Monday 6 May at 8.30pm

The universities making billions out of foreign students.

“In terms of attracting international students, universities will do whatever they need to do…they are the cash cows. There is no doubt about it.” Academic

Across Australia the university business is booming. Higher education institutions that only a few years ago were cash strapped are now flush with billions of dollars brought in from fee paying international students.

“Australia is one of the most successful international educators, particularly in its universities, in the world.” University Vice Chancellor

But there are growing concerns about the consequences of the overseas student boom.

“The course that I was teaching was part of the master’s course, and I just felt that these people weren’t up to it, and the university didn’t care.” Academic

On Monday, Four Corners investigates how Australia’s higher education system is being undermined by a growing reliance on foreign fee-paying students.

“I’m not against international students. In fact, I’m for international students, but I have concerns about how we’re dealing with it.” Academic

Academics and students are speaking out to reveal a picture, across the nation, of compromised academic standards.

“Many students seemed to be unable to understand instructions or understand the material that was put in front of them.” Academic

“I would do my best to make sure that the team would understand the topic each week, and then I would get them to send to me what they had written, and I would try and rephrase it into more readable English.” Student

Domestic students aren’t the only ones feeling frustrated. Some international students, who have often sacrificed everything to be here, are not getting the education they have been promised.

“For a great many international students, their entire family’s financial future is invested in succeeding in their education. And when they’re under pressure, failure is just not an option for them.” Union leader

Teaching staff say that universities are risking their reputations by taking on students who are not capable of advanced levels of learning.

“Admitting students who don’t have the right qualifications, or right prerequisites, or correct language capabilities is setting them up for failure. This is just not what a university should do. That’s not what education is about.” Academic

Insiders warn that with international student numbers continuing to grow, the problem needs to be tackled urgently.

“I think it’s a train wreck. I think it’s, it’s coming and it’s coming hard and the incoming government’s going to have to deal with (it).” Private education consultant

Cash Cows, reported by Elise Worthington, goes to air on Monday 6th May at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 7th May at 1.00pm and Wednesday 8th at 11.20pm. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.

Promo

https://twitter.com/neighbour_s/status/1123789477548371968

[TV.Cynic]

Inside the Watch House

Monday 13 May at 8.30pm

Kids behind bars.

“This is a concrete pen, designed to hold adults in an acute and dangerous state… what are we doing to children who are being held (here)?” Children’s advocate

It’s almost three years since Four Corners exposed shocking revelations of mistreatment in the Northern Territory’s Don Dale youth detention centre in Australia’s Shame, sparking a Royal Commission.

Now the program is set to reveal a new child detention crisis in another part of Australia, where children as young as 10 have been held alongside adult criminals in maximum security facilities.

“The most dangerous people in Australia go in those watch houses. They’re in there for murder. There’s paedophiles.” Human rights advocate

With exclusive access, the program goes behind the locked cell doors to reveal how young people, most of whom have not yet been convicted of a crime, are being held, sometimes for weeks at a time.

“Seeing kids peeping out of the cell doors, out of the little cell hatches that they put the food on… and they’ll just say…‘Miss, tell them that I want to talk to mum’.” Child protection monitor

These facilities can be tough and terrifying places for hardened adult offenders, let alone children.

“We’ve had young people in the watch house that have tried to commit suicide.” Senior police officer

The pressure of managing these children is taking its toll on everyone involved.

“I’ve been informed that some police officers last only two hours in the watch house environment. It is highly traumatic.” Children’s advocate

Those at the coal face of this crisis say it’s time to speak out.

“This is a failure on the part of the government to meet the most basic protections of young people.” Anti-Discrimination Commissioner

Inside the Watch House, reported by Mark Willacy, goes to air on Monday 13th May at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 14th May at 1.00pm and Wednesday 15th at 11.20pm. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.

[TV.Cynic]

ABC Communications (ABCMediaComms)

[TV.Cynic]

The Fight of His Life

Monday 20 May at 8.30pm

“This is the fight of my life, and I think I’m up for it.” Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott has been many things; a Rhodes scholar, an MP, a brutally effective Opposition leader and a triumphant Prime Minister, only to be deposed by his colleagues. He is seen as one of the most combative figures in politics and a warrior for conservative voices.

Now, after 25 years in federal parliament, the Liberal MP for Warringah says he is in the fight of his political life.

“I think that Tony Abbott’s time in politics has come, and gone.” Peter Fitzsimons, columnist

“I think it’s all just to oust Tony Abbott and I just think it’s nasty.” Warringah voter

Ahead of Saturday’s vote, Four Corners has been documenting the unfolding campaign. On Monday the program will examine how the seat was won and lost and what that means for the future of the Liberal Party.

“It is a very seminal moment in the history of the Liberal Party.” Alan Jones, broadcaster

The program examines how an insurgency from within the seat of Warringah began and shows the forces that have shaped it.

Mr Abbott’s challenger is the independent candidate, Zali Steggall, who has sought to turn the vote into a virtual referendum on climate change, transforming the issue that’s made him a hero of the right, into potential political poison on home soil.

“I’m their worst nightmare.” Zali Steggall, independent candidate

The contest has also been defined by the involvement of powerful political activist organisations like GetUp and Advance Australia, leading many political watchers to say we are now operating in a new realm of politics.

“The more effective we are the more they’ll fight back.” Paul Oosting, GetUp

“GetUp are… the most powerful political organisation outside the union movement.” Gerard Benedet, Advance Australia

The result will have powerful ramifications far beyond the seat of Warringah, with many believing the result will determine the future of the Liberal Party.

The fight of his life, reported by Sean Nicholls, goes to air on Monday 20th May at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 21st May at 1.00pm and Wednesday 22nd at 11.20pm. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.

[JohnsonTV]

Well, Tony Abbott lost his seat to Zali Steggall at last night’s federal election count. I think the episode will include Abbott’s concession speech.

[JBar]

More than that. Retitled as “Abbott’s End”. Cue the dick jokes.

Four Corners updates “Abbott’s End.”

[TV.Cynic]

Notre-Dame in Flames

Monday 27 May at 8.30pm

The dramatic story of how the world famous Cathedral, and its treasures, were saved.

“We saw Notre-Dame burning… I understood that it was going to be a huge task.” Director of Operations, French Civil Protection

On the 15th of April, the world watched on in horror as one of France’s most famous landmarks, Notre-Dame Cathedral caught alight.

“It’s the kind of situation where you think you’re in a nightmare. I think, like everyone else, I was watching open mouthed.” Heritage architect

The Cathedral had stood for more than 800 years, through revolutions and world wars, but as the flames took hold, the architectural icon was in peril.

“We were the first to arrive on the scene and our mission was to climb up the spiral staircases which are very narrow.” Paris fire brigade chief

What took place over the next nine hours was an epic battle by some 400 firefighters to save the building. In this dramatic film, those leading the operation explain how events unfolded.

“We heard this enormous noise and we couldn’t see anything around us… everything was completely alight… It was the spire that had collapsed, not far from us.” Paris fire brigade chief

Through interviews and video filmed by the fire authorities and eyewitnesses, the film captures the drama minute by minute.

“It was a matter of not causing more damage. Water tankers are not made to dump water on a building like this.” Director of Operations, French Civil Protection

It wasn’t just the building that was a concern. The Cathedral housed priceless pieces of art and religious relics. Conservators raced to the scene to oversee a massive operation to save these precious pieces.

“The two of us climbed an altar, unhooked the painting and it was the first artwork we took out.” Paris fire brigade chaplain

As investigations into the cause of the fire continue, those who have dedicated their life to Notre-Dame are grateful that in spite of the damage, the building remains.

“This morning I was asked ‘Do you believe in miracles?’ I said ‘I believe in fire fighters.’” Notre- Dame priest

Notre-Dame in Flames, a Metropole Television film, goes to air on Monday 27th May at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 28th May at 1.00pm and Wednesday 29th at 11.20pm. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm EST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.

[JohnsonTV]

Promo for next week’s episode, marking the 30th anniversary of Tiananmen Square massacre in Beijing, China.

[TV.Cynic]

Tremble and Obey

Monday 3 June at 8.30pm

How the Chinese Communist Party crushed democracy.

“Tanks are rolling in down the main thoroughfare towards Tiananmen Square. There’s sporadic shooting.” ABC reporter Max Uechtritz, 1989.

Thirty years ago, in the centre of China’s communist capital, millions of students and citizens staged weeks of protests calling for democracy.

“Millions of Chinese for the first time… tasted freedom in the air of Beijing.” No 5 on the ‘most wanted’ list of student activists, 1989.

The students and their fellow protestors stared down their government in the full gaze of the world’s media, demanding an end to totalitarian rule.

“The cost to the people has been silent obedience to the party line. The frustration born of so many years of silence is now pouring out into streets of Beijing.” ABC Beijing correspondent, Trevor Watson, 1989.

Then, the People’s Liberation Army turned its guns, and its tanks, on its own people.

“We got orders from the authorities saying, ‘every troop has to go to Tiananmen Square’.” Former PLA soldier.

Three decades on, Four Corners vividly brings the story of these momentous times to life, drawing upon a trove of vision and audio captured by ABC reporters and crews in that astonishing spring of 1989. This incredible archive stored away by the ABC for 30 years has now been carefully pieced together to show how the shocking events unfolded.

“There was a man holding shopping bags, standing in front of the tank, the lead tank…(it) became one of the most iconic images of the 20th century, of all time.” ABC reporter Max Uechtritz, 1989.

Four Corners has interviewed many of the key participants who led the protests and were subsequently placed on China’s “most wanted” list.

“I was quite naive because we didn’t know the true face of the Communist Party. We never realised that this Party would do anything to defend their power.” No 1 on China’s “most wanted” student activist list. 1989.

While many will be marking the anniversary around the world, the events of Tiananmen Square remain one of the most sensitive and taboo topics in China.

“In 1989 we were so young, and we experienced such a violent killing… it’s literally the killing of your peers, of your generation. But we were not allowed to openly shed a tear or light a candle for the dead. And we carried this wound, this open wound, up to today, 30 years later. And we still are not allowed to openly talk about it.” 1989 protestor, current Harvard academic.

Those same student leaders say the events in Tiananmen Square continue to shape China today.

“It’s very important for the whole world to pay attention to what happened 30 years ago. Today’s China comes from 1989. If you really want to deal with today’s China, you have to understand where this China come from, and it come from 1989.” No 1 on China’s most wanted list, 1989.

Tremble and Obey, produced by Lesley Robinson, goes to air on Monday June 3rd at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 4th June at 1.00pm and Wednesday 5th at 11.20pm. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.

https://twitter.com/4corners/status/1133932291242283009

[JohnsonTV]

Max Uechtritz: “It still sends chills down my spine”

[TV.Cynic]

Time Bomb

Monday 10 June at 8.30pm

The making of the Bourke Street murderer.

“We were driving around and he asked me, ‘would you ever kill someone?’” School friend

James Gargasoulas was a 26-year-old heavy drug user with an extensive criminal record when he drove a car at high speed through central Melbourne killing six people, including a baby boy and a 10-year-old girl.

“He simply looked like he was just going for his Sunday drive on the road, but he was on a pavement, mowing down pedestrians, with no facial expression.” Witness

He was sentenced to life in prison earlier this year for the January 2017 attack. Despite a guilty verdict there are still outstanding questions about why James Gargasoulas was able to carry out such a crime.

“I just don’t understand why they couldn’t stop him. I just don’t understand why he couldn’t be pulled off the streets.” Witness

On Monday, Four Corners investigates how James Gargasoulas was out roaming the suburbs of Melbourne despite facing serious criminal charges and clear warning signs that he presented a grave danger to others.

“He said we’d see him on the news that night.” Witness

In his first media interview, Gargasoulas’ brother Angelo recounts his brother’s extreme violence over many years, beginning with their deeply troubled childhood in outback Coober Pedy. Angelo was both a witness and a victim of his brother’s brutality even in the days and hours before the Bourke St attack.

“I was like, ‘you have to find this guy…There’s so much to lock him up away (for)’.” Brother

Much of the evidence against Gargasoulas has not been seen by the public before. In this painstaking investigation, months in the making, Four Corners reveals troubling failures to catch and hold Gargasoulas.

“(The police) will question everything in their mind. They will wake up at night and say, ‘could I have, should I have, how could I have done things differently?’” Retired Police Commissioner

For those still coming to terms with Gargasoulas’ actions, they wonder if the lessons of his case have been learned.

“Systemic failure is an understatement.” Brother

Time Bomb, reported by Louise Milligan, goes to air on Monday 10th June at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 11th June at 1.00pm and Wednesday 12th at 11.20pm. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.

https://twitter.com/4corners/status/1136466426691112960

[TV.Cynic]

Trump’s Trade War

Monday 17 June at 8.30pm

“We can’t continue to allow China to rape our country, and that’s what they’re doing. It’s the greatest theft in the history of the world.” US President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump has ignited a massive trade war with China, slapping billions of dollars worth of tariffs on Chinese goods. In doing so, he says he’s delivering on his promise to Make America Great Again.

“This is a great power struggle.” Steve Bannon, former Trump chief strategist

Despite the rhetoric, questions are being asked about who has the most to lose from the conflict.

“We will have another type of cold war that nobody has ever experienced. . . That’s dangerous.” Da Wei, University of International Relations, Beijing

On Monday Four Corners examines the forces behind the conflict, on both sides.

“They’ve outsmarted us; they’ve done some things we don’t agree with. We’ve got to fix our system to compete with China.” James Mcgregor, Former Chair, American Chamber of Commerce in China

US businesses are bearing much of the cost, particularly companies who rely on importing raw materials from China.

“Several million dollars of profit lost. In a year. . . If what we’re trying to do is protect the American economy, this is a bad way to do it.” US manufacturer

China is also feeling the impact of the increased tariffs but many believe there is a bigger issue in play.

“The question is, is America’s complaint about the way China handles its economy, or is it about China’s legitimacy to become a prosperous and powerful country?” Da Wei, University of International Relations, Beijing

Featuring key players who have served in the Trump administration, the program analyses the forces at work with the US government and what they believe is at stake.

“I believe you need - you need actually a change of the top leaders in the Chinese Communist Party. I think the goa . . . is to break the back of this totalitarian mercantilist economic society.” Steve Bannon, former Trump chief strategist

Trump’s Trade War, from Frontline, goes to air on Monday 17th June at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 18th March at 1.00pm and Wednesday 19th at 11.20pm. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.

[TV.Cynic]

Extinction Nation

Monday 24 June at 8:30pm

The fight to save Australia’s endangered species.

“It’s about as bad as it can get, without them literally all being dead.” Bird ecologist

Australia boasts a stunning array of unique wildlife. They feature on our coat of arms and they’re placed front and centre in our tourism campaigns. But the reality is, many of our native animals are in danger.

“It’s embarrassing being involved with wildlife, to be an Australian, to have this record of extinction.” Conservation sanctuary owner

Australia has one of the worst extinction rates on the planet and the problem is growing. There are currently more than 500 animal species under threat.

“If we can’t bring ourselves to care…then what about the next thing, and what about the next thing after that? Where’s the end point of that attitude?” Conservation ecologist

On Monday Four Corners investigates how Australia has found itself in the midst of an extinction crisis.

“Our system for protecting threatened species in this country is fundamentally broken.” Conservation activist

There is heated debate over who is responsible and what lengths governments should go to, to save these threatened species.

“It’s not about waving a chequebook at the levels of threatened species. It’s about sensible funding, which we do.” Environment Minister

Four Corners goes into the field with leading scientists and conservation volunteers to document first hand the fight to save these wild creatures. Our camera captures precious pictures of some of these endangered animals.

“It is rare to see them at all but to have posing like that for us was a gift…just wonderful.” Volunteer conservationist

With money in short supply, many rescue efforts are reliant on volunteers and crowd funding,

“If volunteers like us weren’t doing it, it just wouldn’t be done and the animals would be going extinct.” Volunteer conservationist

Ecologists say these species are just as priceless as a work of art and should be protected in the same way.

“You wouldn’t go burn the Mona Lisa because you could. You’d put it somewhere and keep it safe.” Bird ecologist

They warn that species extinction will have consequences for us all.

“We are an interconnected ecosystem. It’s going to actually start having knock on effects to us as well and our society and in a whole range of ways.” Conservation activist

Extinction Nation, reported by Stephanie March, goes to air on Monday 24th June at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 25th June at 1.00pm and Wednesday 26th at 11.20pm. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.

[TV.Cynic]

Shadow Commander

Monday 1 July at 8:30pm

Iran’s military mastermind.

“Any attack by Iran on anything American will be met with great and overwhelming force. In some areas, overwhelming will mean obliteration.” US President Donald Trump

In increasingly alarming scenes, the United States and Iran are facing off in the Middle East. Tensions have been escalating steadily for the last two months, driven by concerns over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear capabilities. In the past two weeks, these tensions have ratcheted up even further with unprovoked attacks on oil tankers and the shooting down of a US military drone and imposition of US sanctions. There are concerns that the two nations are headed towards military conflict.

“I am your match… You’re making a big mistake. You know how powerful we are in the region. You will start this war but we will determine its end.” Major General Qassem Suleimani

The key figure in Iran’s strategic manoeuvring, and one of the most powerful military figures in the Middle East, is a shadowy figure in Iran’s feared Revolutionary Guard.

“We can see him as the, the Darth Vader of contemporary Middle Eastern politics.” Former US Ambassador Ryan Crocker

“We saw Qassem Suleimani as a very capable, charismatic, skilled, professional competent, diabolically evil human being.” General (Ret) David Petraeus, US Forces Commander & former CIA Director

In this timely program from the BBC, a portrait of Iran’s military ambitions, and the man masterminding them emerges.

“He started to become a commander, also sort of a spy, but he seemed to have more power than any kind of person on our side ever had.” General (Ret) Stanley McChrystal, US Special Operations, Iraq 2003 - 2006

Featuring interviews with key American and British defence and intelligence figures who have gone toe to toe with Iran for decades, the program outlines how Major General Suleimani’s Iranian forces have repeatedly intervened in key conflicts like the Iraq war.

“It was a constant arms race. Their bombs got bigger, our protection got bigger.” Major General (Retd) Jonathan Shaw, British Forces, Southern Iraq 2007

The program charts the conflicts between the US and Iran and the missed opportunities to put their hostilities aside.

“We all realised this development opened up a moment in which the United States and Iran could cooperate effectively. We both had the same enemies… (The) axis of evil (speech) slammed that door shut and it has not since reopened.” Former US Ambassador Ryan Crocker

As fears grow of an armed confrontation, veteran Iran watchers urge caution.

“We can play his game, we can fight him, but I think if we want peace in the Middle East and the region, we’ve got to understand where he’s coming from and what he wants, unless you want to be in a perpetual conflict with Iran.” Major General (Retd) Jonathan Shaw, British Forces, Southern Iraq 2007

Shadow Commander: Iran’s military mastermind, from the BBC, goes to air on Monday 1st July at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 2nd July at 1.00pm and Wednesday 3rd at 11.20pm. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.

[TV.Cynic]

Cash Splash

Monday 8 July at 8:30pm

Taxpayer dollars, secretive deals and the lucrative business of water.

“It’s a national scandal.” Water economist

Two years on from the Four Corners investigation into water theft in the Murray-Darling Basin that sparked a royal commission, the program returns to the river system to investigate new concerns about how the plan to rescue it is being carried out.

“How extravagant is this scheme?.. I’d just call it a rort.” Lawyer

On Monday Four Corners investigates whether the contentious plan has become a colossal waste of taxpayers’ money.

“The Murray-Darling Basin Plan is a triple bottom line fail. It’s a fail for communities, it’s a fail for the economy and it’s absolutely a fail for the environment.” Business owner

The river system is the lifeblood of Australian agriculture but right now it’s in crisis. It’s experiencing one of the worst droughts on record, and with mass fish deaths capturing the headlines and farmers struggling to survive, many are saying the scheme is failing to deliver.

“I would characterise it as pink batts for farmers, or pink batts for earth movers. It all had to happen in a short space of time.” Contractor

Billions of taxpayers’ dollars are being poured into grants handed to irrigators in an attempt to save more water. Four Corners investigates exactly how the money is being spent.

“I’m a taxpayer. I don’t agree with the scheme. I think it’s actually too expensive.” Farmer

Some irrigators say this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform their businesses.

“With a bold initiative, having the basin plan and the government investing in irrigated agriculture, you get an opportunity to basically reset… for the next 50 years.” Irrigation CEO

Others question who is actually gaining the most from the generous scheme.

“We’re degrading the rivers at the same time as we’re handing out money to a few individuals to realise huge economic gains at public cost.” Ecologist

For those with access to water, there are lucrative sales to be made. Water prices have hit record highs turning it into liquid gold.

“Anyone can come in and buy water. You don’t even have to be a farmer…You’re going to make money out of it, and that’s what a lot of people are doing, unfortunately.” Farmer

Others worry that the scheme is encouraging the planting of crops even thirstier than cotton, creating a potential time bomb.

“There’s been an explosion in the production of nuts in the Murrumbidgee, and more broadly in the Murray-Darling Basin…This may well be a time bomb.” Former water official

Four Corners investigates how the scheme is being regulated and whether water users and the authorities responsible are being properly held to account.

“We’re talking about billions of dollars in taxpayers’ money on a scheme that many, many capable and reliable scientists have said, this isn’t going to work.” Lawyer

Cash Splash, reported by Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop, goes to air on Monday 8th July at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 9th July at 1.00pm and Wednesday 10th at 11.20pm. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.

https://twitter.com/neighbour_s/status/1146234426042376196

[JohnsonTV]

The Australian reports the National Farmers Federation has accused the ABC of trying to “unravel” the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and force a royal commission into the water management scheme, as farming groups prepare to make a formal complaint into Monday night’s episode “Cash Splash”. NFF president Fiona Simson says in an opinion piece in today’s paper

For 45 minutes, Four Corners sought to discredit the plan’s irrigation efficiency program. A program that supports farmers to improve their water use efficiency, grow more and ultimately return more water back to the environment.

EDIT: Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young tweeted on Monday night
https://twitter.com/sarahinthesen8/status/1148180863852482560

[TV.Cynic]

ABC News’s twitter feed noted yesterday that there was a media release attacking the program from at least one group that came out before the program had even gone to air.

[TV.Cynic]

Tell the World

Monday 15 July at 8:30pm

Exposing how China is creating the world’s largest prison.

“People started to literally disappear, communities were being emptied of adult men and women.” China researcher

It’s a remote corner of the world, but what is taking place there is nothing short of breathtaking.

“My older brother, younger brothers and two younger sisters, five siblings were all taken by… masked police. Heavily armed Special Forces police raided their home and taken (sic) them by covering their face and shackling them in front of the kids.” Australian Uyghur

Xinjiang province is a vast area of deserts and mountains where the ancient Silk Road once ran. Today its Uyghur population is being systematically rounded up with estimates of as many as a million citizens being held in detention.

“I realised it was kind of next level material in terms of what the Chinese state is capable of doing.” Open source investigator

In this investigation by reporter Sophie McNeill, Four Corners uncovers disturbing evidence of how China is effectively operating the world’s largest prison.

“You have to watch the brainwashing program on TV in the detention centre. In that room they put (a) chain onto my ankle, put the handcuffs on my hand.” Australian Uyghur detainee

Even those still left in their homes are being monitored. The communist regime is using cutting edge technology, mass surveillance tools and artificial intelligence to control an entire population.

“Every 200 meters, there’s checkpoints. They check your IDs. They will check your smartphone.” Australian Uyghur

By piecing together witness accounts from Australian citizens caught up in the Chinese Government’s campaign, along with satellite imagery analysis and official documents uncovered online, the truth about what is occurring in Xinjiang is laid bare.

“I realised the magnitude and the impact… it was really something else.” Open source investigator

The program has uncovered evidence of detainees being forced to work in factories with implications for Australian companies doing business in the region.

“Western companies stand an increasing risk of having products made by forced or at least highly involuntary labour.” Academic

The program will also reveal concerning evidence about Australia’s links to China’s dystopian surveillance state and the tools used to racially profile its own citizens.

“Essentially by doing that, we’re being complicit in the human rights abuses that are occurring in Xinjiang and in China more widely.” Surveillance researcher

The events unfolding in China are creating heartbreak for Uyghurs in Australia. They have stayed quiet for fear of provoking the authorities into punishing their relatives. Now, in desperation they are breaking their silence to tell the world what is going on.

“She said ‘If I am not released, cannot get out of here, please speak up for me. Stand for me. Never give up’.” Uyghur Australian

“Now I have to speak out. I think Australians, all the Australia need to know this story.” Uyghur Australian

Tell the world, reported by Sophie McNeill, goes to air on Monday 15th July at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 16th July at 1.00pm and Wednesday 17th at 11.20pm. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.