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Background Briefing tells true stories not everyone will want you to hear. We infuse investigative reporting with captivating drama, following the thread of an individual story only to find that it leads us to something bigger. It's the only podcast in Australia that does this week in, week out.

Hosted by Thomas Oriti.

We want to hear from you too. If you have a tip-off, please contact us at backgroundbriefing[at]abc.net.au

Background Briefing

After years of manipulation, Alliyah is determined to see justice done. When Kellie appears in the dock, what will she say? And how will the judge respond?

05 The Favourite - A Day in Court

Daring narrative journalism: Australian investigations with impact.

Alliyah steps into a police station on the outskirts of Brisbane, and says: “I want to report a crime.” After keeping the so-called relationship with Kellie secret for almost a decade, Alliyah is finally ready to tell their story.

04 The Favourite | Full Disclosure

A new job and a surprise encounter show Alliyah that another way is possible. Will they manage to slip out of Kellie's control?

03 The Favourite | Alliyah's choice

When the principal discovers Alliyah and their teacher Kellie are exchanging secret messages outside class, Kellie is warned — but not fired. Then, on the last day of Alliyah’s graduation, another message arrives: “Secret squirrel… you can’t tell anyone.” As suspicion mounts at home, Alliyah's connection with Kellie grows stronger and more dangerous by the day.

02 The Favourite | A marriage proposal

12-year-old Alliyah’s clowning around in science class, testing the waters to see how the new teacher will respond. An unusual bond grows between them — and what starts with a death stare and a smirk, soon slips into a world of secrets.

01 The Favourite | Secrets after school

She's every student’s favourite teacher — warm, funny, the kind who bends the rules. But for one 12-year-old, Alliyah, her attention goes far beyond the classroom. The Favourite is a five-part series by Background Briefing about how a secret remained hidden in plain sight for nearly a decade.

Introducing... The Favourite

When a marine scientist starts picking up traces of pesticides in oysters, she follows a trail that leads inland — to NSW blueberries carrying a poison not permitted for use in Australia.

The invisible stuff on your blueberries

Catherine Taylor investigates how money, disadvantage and resources risk holding back our brightest students.

Long Read | The smart kids who can’t afford to succeed

The Yes In My Backyard movement is lobbying for denser cities and more housing in places people want to work and live. The YIMBYs want these homes built yesterday, but as Gina Rushton explains, the NIMBYs haven’t given up yet.

Long Read | The fight over your backyard

An Australian doctor sells his car and writes a will — unsure if he’ll ever make it back home. He crosses the concrete walls that surround the Gaza Strip and begins work inside the last functioning hospital in the north. But in the chaos of war, something unfolded that no one, including him, could have predicted. This week, reporter Marty Smiley brings us the story of Dr Mo's impossible mission.

Dr Mo: The Beast from the Middle East

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