The Australian reports Four Corners is examining the Australia Post saga which led to the resignation of CEO Christina Holgate late last year. It is expected to look at the role of Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Communication Minister Paul Fletcher and Australia Post chairman Lucio di Bartolomeo.
https://twitter.com/neighbour_s/status/1386552137535004672?s=19
This bit is odd:
Apologies to @ceejay. In another thread I doubted their assertion that ABC news employees were only interested in winning awards. This job ad indicates that they must aim to win awards.
… apology accepted … I just wish that I was wrong … another sad fact about this ad is that it is being advertised outside the ABC at all, in the past there would have been many suitable internal candidates ripe for promotion, but the senior journos have mostly been targeted for redundancy … given the salary band details I rather suspect that they have actually already selected someone for the gig and are just advertising as a face-saving ploy …
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Are you being played?
Monday 3 May at 8.30pm
Are you being played? What you need to know about the business of video games
“The video games industry is in the business of manufacturing fun, and video games are fun for many people, but for a small percentage of people it can be misery.” Psychiatrist
Across the country, millions of Australians of all ages, play video games every day. They’re among hundreds of millions of gamers across the world.
Globally, the industry is worth an estimated $US175 billion, which is more than Hollywood and the music industry combined. From smart phones to consoles and desktops, gamers immerse themselves in imaginary worlds which can be far more appealing than real life.
“You’ve become so immersed in the game world and what’s going on that, that is your world and that’s your priority.” Gamer
Growing research shows many gamers struggle to switch off and can find themselves hooked on their virtual universe. The discussion about gaming and whether it can cause harm is often reduced to a simplistic debate. On Monday Four Corners goes deeper, bringing together gamers, major industry players and psychologists in an investigation that reveals the manipulative techniques used in many games.
“We are talking here about potent psychological mechanisms and not everybody has a background in human motivation or human psychology, so they won’t necessarily be aware of these things.” Video game researcher
The investigation began when Four Corners asked gamers, to share their experiences. Thousands responded and some of them have chosen to tell their stories publicly.
“I could see it was manipulating me, but I was still participating.” Gamer
While there’s often concern about the effects of gaming on kids, there are plenty of adults, including parents, who are at risk.
“Getting the kids ready for school was definitely a problem, I was really tired, I was often tired, I would fall asleep accidentally and once I missed a school pick-up.” Gamer
The program features interviews with high profile industry figures who have worked on some of the biggest video games on the planet. They discuss the ethical minefield that game design can create.
“You don’t want to just think about revenues and think about profiting at the expense of players and their fun and, and their best interests. So to me it’s really an ethical consideration and the line has been blurry.” Game design consultant
Many of these techniques are driven by aggressive business models. It’s not just a question of keeping players in the game for longer, it’s also about enticing them to part with real world cash for a virtual pay off.
"Some of the big players in the mobile video game space have just gone, “Oh my God, this is a license to print money.” Senator
With the growth of artificial intelligence and the mining of data from social media accounts, game analysts say players are often unaware of how they’re being manipulated.
"I think we’re already at a point where the games have become extremely sophisticated, and in some ways, players are not always aware of how much the game is actually playing them. Video game researcher
The program provides players with valuable insights, showing gamers what they’re up against.
“I think we need to help gamers understand what’s going on under the hood.” Video game researcher
Are you being played? reported by Lucy Carter, goes to air on Monday 3rd May at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 4th May 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/neighbour_s/status/1387578385384153089?s=20
Peter: The Human Cyborg
Monday 10 May at 8:30 pm
“There is no technology that I would not consider. This is cyborg territory and I intend to be a human guinea pig to see just how far we can turn science fiction into reality.” Dr Peter Scott-Morgan
Dr Peter Scott-Morgan is a renowned scientist and robotics expert. In 2017 he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), an incurable illness that attacks the body’s nerves causing muscles to waste away. As the condition progresses, a person becomes ‘locked in’ — unable to move but still fully alert. Faced with this devastating diagnosis, Peter decided to use his skills to change his future.
“I came up with this idea to throw the rule book out, bring technology in, try to make life not just for me but for everybody with MND – transformed.” Dr Peter Scott-Morgan
Confronted with the news that he may only have two years left to live, he set out to find and apply cutting edge technology to not only extend his life, but to keep the essence of who he is as the disease progresses.
“The biggest challenge with producing a cloned voice is the sheer variation that people have when they use their own voices. Our voice is like a fantastic instrument and the problem with that variation is precisely the thing that makes it hard to copy it.” Speech synthesis technologist
The film follows Peter as he investigates how to digitally preserve his voice and undergoes lifesaving surgery that will silence him forever. It captures precious moments where the technology he has put his faith in, gives him back his sense of self.
“I am unprepared for the emotion…it is quite extraordinary, it really is. Just being able to stand and look around. It is amazing, it really is.” Dr Peter Scott-Morgan
In this deeply personal film, Peter’s quest to become a self-described ‘cyborg’ and his determination to live is truly inspirational.
“I will never stop being human but maybe I will help to change what it means to be human. It is a hugely exciting time to be alive. Now is not the end of anything, now is when the fun begins.” Dr Peter Scott-Morgan
Peter – The Human Cyborg, a Channel Four production, goes to air on Monday 10th at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 11th May 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/neighbour_s/status/1390532639937884160?s=20
https://twitter.com/DrScottMorgan/status/1390607193171451907?s=20
Fast Fashion
Monday 17 May at 8:30pm
“I’ve been a shopping addict since forever. I love to change my outfits around. When you see something, you must have it immediately, as fast as possible.” Fashion influencer
The world of fashion has always traded on the desire of shoppers for the latest thing. Whether it’s a new-season coat or a dress in an on-trend colour, the industry has been underpinned by consumers continuing to buy ever more clothing.
“Today the textile industry is valued at about three trillion dollars. It has grown exponentially. There’s some numbers that say it’s quintupled in volume. It’s absolutely crazy.” Political economist
With the rise of online shopping, the demand for cheap and readily available clothing has created a new fashion boom.
Fast fashion is the commerce of very inexpensive clothing…It’s very typical for the fashion forward buyer to never wear an outfit that they purchased. So you will wear something once or twice, or maybe never." Political economist
Known as “fast fashion” this affordable but disposable approach to clothing has created billion dollar empires, but there is a cost.
“We cannot lose one hour. Forget one day there…We are calculating hours and minutes here, not days.” Manufacturer
This investigation reveals the unglamorous, and in some cases illegal practices of the clothing industry.
“They have to subcontract and often they subcontract to second or third tier factories where working conditions are of a much lower standard than they might be in the first tier manufacturer.” Work place researcher
From the sweatshops of Britain to the textile factories of India, this program exposes the high cost of fast fashion and who really pays the price.
“It’s marketed as a green product. Is it basically a lie? Yes. … It’s an extremely interesting poison.” medical researcher and author
With millions of tonnes of textiles ending up in landfill, some in the fashion industry are challenging customers to change their buying habits.
“If I had a dollar for every time somebody asked me, ‘tell me what I should buy’, I say ‘Nothing! Nothing! You have way too much stuff already’.” Political economist
https://twitter.com/4corners/status/1394133912176054274?s=20
Fast Fashion, an Arte France production, goes to air on Monday 17th May at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 18th May 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.
Australia’s COVID vaccine rollout: What went wrong?
Monday 24 May at 8:30pm
“Today’s a day of hope and Australia needs hope, the world needs hope.” Prime Minister Scott Morrison
As the horror year of 2020 drew to a close, Australians were told there was a way out of the pandemic. A mass vaccination program would be our ticket to freedom. The federal government outlined a plan that would see vast numbers of Australians inoculated against the virus by October 2021. Months on, beset by supply problems and hitches in the rollout, the government has abandoned its targets and faces accusations of having botched it.
“Everything that could possibly go wrong, went wrong.” Former health department head
Australia’s success in keeping COVID from taking hold has made the nation the envy of the world, but the slow pace of the rollout has caused frustration and confusion.
“If we look like we’re slow, if we look like we are taking our time, if we look like we don’t really know how well we are doing against our performance expectations…Would that fill me with confidence as a citizen? Absolutely not.” Epidemiologist
On Monday Four Corners investigates how Australia’s vaccine program rollout has fallen short.
“One of the failures of the federal government communications has been this lack of transparency around the quantity of vaccines we have in the country, the quantity we’re administering, and what we can expect.” Epidemiologist
Featuring interviews with the key advisers and decision makers running the rollout, Four Corners charts the pivotal moments that have led the nation to this point.
“Throughout last year it was very clear that the Commonwealth wanted to keep the vaccine planning to themselves.” State government minister
Those running the government’s rollout fiercely defend their actions.
“Everything we do in this pandemic is dealing with a situation where the world is facing a challenge unlike anything in 100 years. And yet of all the countries in the world, the economic outcome, the human outcome, puts Australia at the forefront.” Health Minister
Critics say petty politicking and a lack of transparency have hampered the plan.
“I don’t think Australians will mind or would mind if mistakes were made along the way…The problem is when they introduced secrecy, they introduce suspicion.” Senator
Those on the frontline are urging Australians to put their faith in the vaccines that are currently available, warning with winter approaching and the pandemic still raging globally, the nation is still at extreme risk.
“I am concerned that Australians seem to believe that this virus is just going to go away. It’s not, it’s going to come here, and if you’re not vaccinated there is a good chance you will be infected.” Head of Infectious Diseases
Vaccinating Australia, reported by Adam Harvey, goes to air on Monday 24th May at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 25th May 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.
Packer’s Crown casino gamble
Monday 31 May at 8:30 pm
Packer’s Gamble: A cautionary tale of big money, back room lobbying and political influence.
It began with a discreet meeting and a personal pitch in the home of a powerful media figure, Alan Jones.
“What do you feed a premier and a billionaire?” Reporter, Sean Nicholls
What followed was a textbook example of what big money, back room lobbying and political influence can deliver.
“It seemed to be a political steamroller. It did seem that it had a momentum and having had James Packer behind it and knowing his powerful friends, it seemed to me at the time that this was going to happen.” Former regulator
Crown Sydney was spruiked as a world class six-star resort and VIP casino development destined to become a jewel in the Crown casino empire. But when it finally opened to the public late last year, the man behind the project, gaming tycoon James Packer, was nowhere to be seen and the casino at the heart of the plan was not allowed to operate.
“It seemed to be at times, profit at any cost…they looked like they had things to hide, and they did.” Regulator
Multiple inquiries into Crown’s operations are underway across the country as regulators and royal commissioners examine how the company has conducted itself. The gaming giant is undergoing a corporate makeover in the hope it will be allowed to open the doors of its Sydney casino. It’s all a very long way from the bullish plan launched by James Packer on an unsuspecting city nine years ago.
“All of a sudden you had one of the most connected billionaires in the country, suddenly coming out and saying they wanted to put a billion-dollar casino on the shores of Sydney Harbour. Now that came out of nowhere in the eyes of the general public.” MP
The story of how both the casino licence and the building was approved is a cautionary tale.
“ It’s not an iconic building. It’s an iconic representation of a bad process.” Architect
Now, as James Packer prepares to walk away from the casino business he championed, those who fought against Crown and lost say there are lessons to be learned.
“That building should stand there and be a warning to us all…we should look at that building and forever know that we should never let that happen again.” Architect
James Packer is now paying a big price for his high stakes gamble.
“The Crown saga is basically the end of the Packers in Australia.” Finance writer
Packer’s Gamble, reported by Sean Nicholls, goes to air on Monday 31st May at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 1 June at 1.00pm and Wednesday 2nd June 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/1397679968449007617?s=20
The story
The episode was set to air on Monday night before ABC News director Gavin Morris decided to pull it
Ghosts of Afghanistan
Monday 7 June at 8.30pm
Ghosts of Afghanistan: A reporter’s return and his hope for peace
“Powerful armies invaded this country with slogans about peace, democracy, women’s rights. It was a disaster. Now the foreign troops are withdrawing… I want to see if there is hope for peace.” Graeme Smith, former war correspondent
In April, US President Joe Biden declared that all remaining US troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan. He gave a deadline of September 11, a symbolic date and a powerful reminder of the events that sent America, along with her allies, into a long and brutal war.
"On my orders, the United States military has begun strikes against Al Qaeda terrorist training camps and military installations of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. The name of today’s military operation is Enduring Freedom. US President, George W Bush, 2001
Twenty years on from the 9/11 terror attacks, one war correspondent returns to Afghanistan to try and make sense of the conflict.
“I’m heartbroken about the way things went in Afghanistan… Why would I come back to a place that gave me nightmares?” Graeme Smith, former war correspondent
Canadian Graeme Smith travels back through the cities and provinces where he witnessed the intense conflict with the Taliban forces and explains what it was like to have a bird’s eye view of history in the making.
“I had no idea what I was getting myself into… It wasn’t unusual to hear people saying, ‘Oh this is like the opening scene in Star Wars,’ you know with all of the crazy characters walking around.”
His reporting captured the brutality of the battles as well as dark and troubling incidents that cast a shadow over the mission in Afghanistan.
“Terrible things happened to these prisoners when they were being interrogated. This shook me because it wasn’t an accident of war. It was deliberate. It was a part of the design of the war.”
Now he wants to see how life has changed for the Afghan people and if they feel confident that Afghanistan can find peace.
“I’m still here. I’m still surviving. It’s definitely hard. It’s very risky here to help all these women get education, especially modern education, to go out and work, to be self-sustained, to be independent. This is something unacceptable for extremists.” School principal
From school principals to keen university students and housewives, he finds many worried about what life will be like once the US has left and whether that means a return of the Taliban.
“They will not accept us and we will not accept them.” Young female student
Taliban leaders themselves boast about their resurgence and how they felt about peace talks with America.
“It shows the loss and the weakness of the Americans and all other foreign troops, foreign countries who have troops in Afghanistan.” Taliban spokesperson
With the clock now ticking, those that have spent a lifetime opposing the Taliban say they fear for the future.
“The Taliban are extremists, so you may see a bloodbath on the streets of Kabul… This is about the future of my country, my people, quite literally our lives.” National security adviser
Ghosts of Afghanistan goes to air on Monday 7th June at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 8th at 1.00pm and Wednesday 9th 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.
Nick Tabakoff in The Australian is claiming that the Prime Minister’s Office has now responded.
If the ABC had not paid Porter’s lawyer’s $100,000 then Porter would have had to pay that himself, so the ABC has effectively paid Porter $100,000.