ABC Backstory

Journalist Piia Wirsu grappled with retelling the traumatic story of the Blythe Star shipwreck. But deep within the disaster was an uplifting story of survival.

Comedian Celeste Barber is no stranger to the absurdities of the fashion industry, but even she was taken aback to learn the extent to which some clothes – and the women who wore them – were policed in our nation’s past.

As the fourth season of the beloved series premieres, its impact has been felt far and wide. The show has helped spur on academic research, informed legislation and contributed to the creation of dozens of intergenerational playgroups.

During a natural disaster, many turn to ABC Radio. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at how the team brings you vital information when you need it most.

With a career spanning 70 years, Rupert Murdoch is no stranger to facing the same kind of interviewing and investigative treatment that he has dished out in his media outlets.

He never planned on becoming a beloved local voice, but Craig Hamilton's career as a broadcaster touched countless sports lovers. After 23 years on air, now he's focusing on mental health advocacy.

The ABC Science team spent six weeks travelling all over Australia to record 200 sounds for a soundtrack of the country. It was a challenging undertaking. Here's how they did it.

Annabel Crabb reveals what happens behind the scenes filming Kitchen Cabinet and how cooking encourages politicians to open up.

A recent dispute got James Valentine thinking about beliefs, how rigorously we defend our beliefs and how we reject those who don't share ours. But maybe there's another way.

Over seven months, the ABC's Indigenous Affairs Team and Background Briefing teams have been investigating youth crime in Queensland and managed to get a side of the story that's rarely heard.

Journalists from the Indo-Pacific region and Australian First Nations communities have been learning how to report and commentate on sport at the Women's World Cup in Brisbane.

After 21 years helming the ABC's nightly bulletin in NSW, Juanita Phillips writes that she's proud to go out on her own terms — and looking forward to being home in time for dinner each night.

Trying to make something that works as both a podcast and a TV show has been tried before — and failed. But the ABC's If You're Listening podcast team is testing that theory.

Incontinence is a health issue affecting one in four Australians, but shame and embarrassment often stop people from seeking help, writes Caitlyn Davey. 

Like so many of us, life over the past 12 months, post the gloominess of lockdowns and introspection it dealt, has meant that I have a new set of responsibilities that need attending, and so life must change.

What was meant to be a quick scenic holiday to the Himalayan mountain town of Manali turned into a monsoonal disaster trip. But for the people who live here, it could take years to recover, writes South Asia correspondent Avani Dias.

The host of War on Waste takes us behind the scenes of the latest series and discusses what derailed national momentum to reduce waste and how we can get back on track.

We wanted the story to reflect the weight of evidence, but were acutely aware that the science is new and evolving. We believe we got the balance right, writes Mark Maley.

Journalist Nabil Al-Nashar gets excited about things most of his Australian friends take for granted — fair and honest elections, free speech — due to where he came from.

After securing an internship last year, Vanessa Vlajkovic has been working for ABC News Digital, editing articles and advising on how to make our content more accessible for people who are visually impaired.

When actor Anthony LaPaglia was approached to tell the story of early Italian migrants who were terrorised by the Black Hand gang in Far North Queensland 100 years ago, he had more than just a professional interest. It also resonated on a personal level.

Confidentiality laws have long kept the plight of people whose finances are controlled by the state hidden from view, but there are growing calls for the agencies these vulnerable people depend on to be subjected to greater scrutiny.

When filming a story about Mick Curran and Jamie Teh, producer Kristine Taylor discovered a common mistake sighted people often make when interacting with people who are blind.

Journalist Quentin McDermott — who secured the first interview with Kathleen Folbigg from prison — gives an insight into Australian Story's investigation of her case over 20 years.

We travelled thousands of kilometres, navigated croc-filled waters and an encounter with a deadly taipan to record the stories of Indigenous Elders on Country for the ABC's One Plus One program.