Under Cover: Recent Episodes
RMIT Journalism Students
Under Cover is not just a podcast. It's a phone call, a voice message left for those who are lonely, confused or just need someone to talk to them at this time of isolation. It's a warm and friendly midnight radio for the world. It is a good friend who is informative, trustworthy and is there for you - with stories, songs and sounds to make you feel connected. With yourself, with your friends, with your world.
In today's episode, we will be exploring screen addiction among young people in Australia, shark liver harvesting in the cosmetics industry, 'booksmart' vs 'streetsmart' in Australian culture, developments around Web3 and a story about Australia's capabilities to predict and tackle natural disasters.
Producer: Chloe Henry Assistant Producer: Zak Wheeler Presenter: Thom Monaghan Reporters: Rebecca Broadhead, Alexandra Marcocci, Olivia Thomson, Thom Monaghan. Reyam Alyasery
In this week's episode, we will be looking at the phenomenon of green washing, but we will also look at the psychology of seeing a lot of green and how going to locations of nature can really do wonders for your health. One way to see beautiful greenery in Australia is by going to wineries - but climate change might change the way wine industries in Australia operate. Still on psychology, do you know what might actually be good for your kids? Lockdown. Only if you do it well, obviously. And be there for your kids.
Speaking of being there, have you ever had the experience of being 'ghosted'? Because in this episode we will talk about it.
Producer: Thu Thuy Nguyen Assistant Producer/Reporter: Charlie Williams Presenters/Reporters: Matilda Anderson and Cara Briggs Reporters: Kaya Martin, Ibanez Taylor-Hurihanganui
Producer: Gabriel Rule
Assistant Producer: Maya Van Es
Presenter: Brigita Hare
Reporters: Brigita Hare, Micaela Togher, Liam McNally, Conor McKinnon, Aidan Williams
In this episode, we will explore the experiences of Australians with Ukrainian heritage during the Russian Invasion, the protection of Bells Beach, one of Australia’s most famous beaches, and the dangers of online dating.
Story One:
Australia takes pride in their sport and with some of our biggest athletes starting from the age they can hold a ball. But according to a recently published report by Women In Sport, more and more young girls are choosing to drop out of sports and other physical activities around their teenage years. So why teenage girls are becoming more dis-engaged with sports and what we can do to help?
Story Two:
A new study has shown how climate change influenced disasters and environmental losses are taking an emotional toll on us. In recent times coral bleaching and flooding have severely impacted our great barrier reef. We explore what all of these recent events and findings mean for us and our beautiful reefs.
Story Three:
For some Dungeons and Dragons is just the geeky fantasy game, meant only for society's outcasts and nerds. But for some children, it could be the answer to help them cope and face the day. But one dad from the ACT who’s using this game to help kids with disabilities find a way to cope socially.
Story Four:
The AFLW has grown rapidly over its 7-season run, and with that growth comes increasing media pressure. We take a look at how players and media experts are training up this upcoming generation of female athletes.
Story Five:
As Melbourne's urban landscape grows, the effects it's having on our environment are devastating. Covering up our trees and vegetation with buildings and cement is creating causing us social and economic disadvantages. We investigate what the ‘heat island effect’ is and how it's affecting the City of Wyndham.
Producer: Shantal Hayden
Assistant Producer: Paddy Grindlay
Presenters: Amy Ross & Freya O’Donnell
Reporters: Jordan Zoch and Ethan Dean
Story 1: The Grapple for Groundwater
The extraction of groundwater that ends up in bottled water is big business for the companies that mine and sell the water. But for residents in the communities where the water is taken from, it’s often the cause of concern and controversy.
Hear from some of the rural communities who are taking on the industry, over the hidden water beneath our feet.
Story 2: The Cost for Care
It's commonly said that Australia has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, but is it leaving some Australians out? Healthcare access is notably different for some Australians, especially in Rural and Regional communities. They not only have less access to important health care but often have to travel far for basic health needs. Hear from Healthcare professionals from various walks of life to hear about the cost for care in rural, regional and metro centres.
Story 3: Independent Women
With the upcoming federal election, there has been a particular anomaly taking place: ‘Teal’ Independents. These independent candidates have been making waves throughout the campaign - and the two major parties are concerned by what the presence of independent candidates within parliament could mean for decision making. Hear Independent candidate for Goldstein, Zoe Daniel, her media advisor, Angela Pippos and social media manager, Olivia Smith discuss their community backed push for independence.
Story 4: The Harsh Reality of Homelessness
Homelessness is an experience that can affect anyone at any time. Amidst Victoria’s harsh COVID-19 lockdowns, the State government introduced its most successful program to date. However, the funding to the Homeless to a Home program has been cut drastically in this year’s state budget. Hear from Jenny Smith, CEO of Council to Homeless Persons to find out more.
Producer: Ada Hall
Reporters: Mack Heard, Brigitte Murphy, Maya van Es and Rebecca Chin.
In this episode, we explore the consequences of climate change in the workplace. Climate change is not something that is way off in the future; it is here now, and its impacts are being felt by Australian workers. As extreme weather becomes more prevalent, what can be done to protect workers and prepare for the future?
There is a distinct lack of footwear manufacturing industry in Australia due to the cost of labour, skill and machinery shortages, and lack of advanced technology. We chatted with an industry professional about how we can support and revive Australian made footwear.
A 2021 report outlined that the rate of teen pregnancy in the most disadvantaged parts of Melbourne is eight times that of the most advantaged suburbs. Who is supporting those young people who become parents while still at school? We spoke to a Victorian organisation that is helping young parents finish their education and transition into the workforce.
Producer: Sarah Liversidge
Assistant Producer: Erin Visagie
Presenter: Bridget Novak
Reporters: Lilian Bernhardt, Ella Cigognini and Erin Visagie
In the second episode, we look into:
Male Contraception- How NOT to get pregnant. A problem that had no solution until the 1960s when The Pill changed everything for women. But that was the last millennium. Why hasn't there been a male pill in the six decades since?
All this time, the only birth control option for men has been the condom. But that could soon change.
Indonesian AFL- Sport is a powerful way of bringing people from all walks of life together - and that’s exactly what one small Melbourne football club is doing. The Krakatoa's is a community football club affiliated with AFL Indonesia. It’s encouraging Indonesians living in Australia to play Aussie rules football.
Music Industry in COVID- The last two years of Covid lockdowns in Melbourne have been a challenge for everyone, affecting us all in different ways. One area that was hit pretty hard was the music industry. Clubs shut, venues weren't able to host shows, and it left artists in a pretty fragile space. We hear the story of a Melbourne musician to find out how he got through the limitations of lockdown with no gigs and no audiences.
Producer: Vidita Sharma
Assistant Producer: Georgie Carroll
Presenter: Mherhean Giray
Reporters: Georgie Carroll, Kendra Jewell, Harry Connell
In the first episode of series three, we investigate the consequences of the Victorian state government’s move to ban commercial fishing in Port Phillip Bay - some five years after the proposed legislation was put to parliament and the bay’s net fishers were given warning that the end of the line was near.
At the same time, the inflation rate has nearly tripled since 2019. But with the costly cocktail of fuel price increases, expensive supermarket products and global supply chain issues, the most vulnerable people in our community are taking a hit to their hip pocket. We know these economic circumstances have been sparked by war in Europe’s east and staff shortages on home turf, but what are the day to day consequences for people who were already disadvantaged?
There are 1 in 9 women who have endometriosis, an incurable condition which plagues their body with pain. The sheer variability of the disease makes it very difficult to diagnose in primary care, resulting in an average of 7 years of suffering before an actual diagnosis is reached. It’s no wonder that a woman can then feel entirely trapped in, or even victim to her own body, and utterly perplexed that no one seems to care.
Producer: Jacqueline Stanley
Assistant Producer: Amelia Hirst
Reporters: Sara Lilley, Amelia Hirst and Tom Paizes
Story 1: There are currently over thirty-six thousand Australians stranded overseas and many have been separated from their families for over a year due to covid-19 border closures.Of course, it would be extremely difficult for any family stuck in this situation… but what if you also found out that one of your loved ones had been diagnosed with cancer…. And you were stuck halfway across the world unable to be by their side.For the past year…. This has been Anna and her son Alex’s reality.
Story 2: What began as an investigation into how families were perpetuating vaccine misinformation at a niche anti-mask rally in Melbourne. What he ended up finding was a deep dive into a passionate, large movement that used religion to defend their anti-science beliefs.
Story 3: The Victorian lockdown made a lot of people living with cancer feel more vulnerable and isolated. Chloe Karis interviews a cancer patient and speaks to one of canteen Australia’s psychosocial clinicians.
Story 4: Reporter Zahrah Ahmad has been researching compulsory vaccination for school aged children, looking at policies like “no jab no pay” and how COVID-19 vaccinations for young people might impact childcare services in the future.
Story 5: The government has said that vaccinations are available for everyone in Australia, but this information hasn’t actually reached everyone. Some refugees and those on bridging visas have fallen through the gap, unsure whether they are eligible to receive the vaccine and what the process will be like for them.
Story 6: There is also a lot of reluctance when it comes to getting the jab.Despite the vaccine now being made available to people over 40, Australia is still falling behind. Riley Barber looks at the role the media has played in its reportage of the AstraZeneca vaccine and related blood clot cases, and the impact on vaccine hesitancy this has had among Australians.
Story 7: In march this year, the Czech Republic went from being one of the safest countries in the world to being one of the worst hit by coronavirus cases. Claudia Forsberg looks into how Australia’s vaccine rollout program holds up against the Czech Republic’s.
Story 8: With the loads of information and misinformation uploaded every single day, it’s hard to know what to pay attention to, let alone keep up. Because of this, some have turned to a less traditional medium of spreading and getting their information.The video-game industry is a growing market, one that’s influence and content is ever changing and evolving with the world around it. With coronavirus being such a large part of our lives in the past year, it’s no surprise that gaming developers are creating COVID-19 related video-games.However, these games are not just for entertainment. They’re also created to help educate players on COVID-19 safety procedures and spread accurate information in an engaging and straightforward way.
Story 1: Australia’s vaccination campaign is only just starting to gather momentum for those over the age of fifty. But new research is indicating a growing section of Australia’s political-right are unlikely to sign up for the COVID jab. Jack Alfonso explores where this disproportionate growth comes from, and whether or not Australia will see politicisation of the vaccine as observed overseas.
Story 2: Regardless of what position you fall on the political spectrum, people across the board seem to be more hesitant than usual when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine. This paints a worrying picture as we have to achieve a high level of vaccination to reach herd immunity. Our next story will take us to NSW’s north coast, where reporter Warwick Jones investigates the 'anti-vax capital of Australia'. How are they responding to the COVID-19 vaccine? and what kind of ramifications will this have on the state’s road to recovery?
Story 3: The COVID-19 vaccination process has been one fraught with oppositions; from libertarians protecting their individual rights to the bohemians of Byron Bay. Liam Healy talks to a member of Australians vs the Agenda, an anti-vax group who took to the streets of Melbourne last February to protest the government’s COVID vaccines roll out.
Story 4: Young people are becoming more and more tech savvy by the day. This exposes them to all different kinds of information. But this information can be complicated, divisive and sometimes false, as we’ve seen with COVID-19 conspiracies and vaccine scepticism. Riley Galloway explores how misinformation is affecting children and teens and how our education system is playing catch up.
Find us on twitter: @cover_podcast
To read up-to-date information on Australia’s vaccine rollout... always check the government health website: https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines
Story one: Despite sounding modern, anti-vaccination activists are actually nothing new. Daniel Cook speaks with Oxford doctoral researcher Paula Larsson about the history of the anti-vaccination movement, charting its development from the first vaccine in 1796. For more on Paula Larsson, you can follow her on Twitter: @paulalars.
Story two: As the Australian arts industry begins its slow recovery after being decimated by the global pandemic, it faces a new threat that could halt progress in its tracks - the anti-vaccination movement.
Story three: Many claims about the covid vaccine causing infertility in women are circulating social media platforms. Kaylah Baker talks to fertility specialist Dr Alex Polyakov on if there is any truth to the claim and explores the impact it is having on young women.
Story four: Around one-third of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have some type of respiratory condition. Tyler Wright explores whether misinformation is making Indigenous Australians less likely to get vaccinated against Covid-19. Wright spoke with Ian Hamm, Chairperson of First Nations Foundation, and Alice Brooks from the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia to find out how AHCSA are pushing back against vaccination fear.
Story five: Throughout the pandemic, epidemiological modelling has provided governments and the public alike with key information on the course of outbreaks. Callum Allday speaks with Dr Trish Campbell to discuss how modelling can be used not just to predict outbreaks, but to fight misinformation too.
Find us on twitter: @cover_podcast and/or give us a call: 90185005.
If you have any concerns about the vaccine, you can talk to your local GP. For updated information on the vaccine rollout, visit the Australia Government’s website: https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines
Story One: Wellness influencers and lifestyle gurus are finding themselves in positions of power across social media. They’ve been afforded more trust and intimacy with their audiences than ever before. Followers of influencers and social media personalities have turned to them for information and advice on a range of health concerns, despite these so called ‘gurus’ having little to no credentials. Reporter: James Kleeman.
Story Two: Coronavirus information has spread rapidly, particularly on YouTube. But what happens when important updates on COVID19 is demonetised or taken off from such a widely used platform? Does this contribute to the misinformation, or does it actually prevent it? This story looks into whether or not YouTube’s demonetisation policy has encouraged the spread of COVID19 misinformation or reduced it. Reporter: Georgia Barry.
Story Three: The roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines hit trouble in Australia during mid-April. This was when Genene Norris, a woman from New South Wales passed away from blood clots just days after receiving the AstraZeneca shot. With only citizens over 50 recommended to get this vaccine now, this story looks at how this is impacting the Australian public. Reporter: Sean Mortell.
Story Four: In early February, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the government will give “all Australians the opportunity to be vaccinated” by October this year. This includes Australian citizens, permanent residents as well as most visa holders, which covers refugees and asylum seekers. But it’s uncertain how many refugees and asylum seekers have actually received the COVID vaccine so far. Reporter: Youssef Saudie.
Story Five: Many Muslims have turned towards their community faith leaders for advice about Coronavirus misinformation. So how are these leaders handling the confusion of those who trust them? Should there be concerns about the reliability of the guidance they provide? Reporter: Shamsiya Hussainpoor.
Story one: With under 50s being advised not to have the AstraZeneca vaccine, young people are at the centre of the Covid-19 conversation. Olivia Smith explores if they have lost confidence in the vaccine.
Story two: Josh Farrell explains how the vaccine will prevent future lockdowns, what herd immunity is and the importance of the vaccine; speaking with Professor Catherine Bennett.
Story three: Health care workers have been at the front of the fight against coronavirus. But despite the Morrison government’s promises to protect front line workers, vaccine deadlines have not been met. Nick Hughes talks to those affected by the delay.
Story four: Despite promises that society’s most vulnerable would be vaccinated first, Victorian prisoners still haven’t received the jab. Sarah Oliver investigates why.
If you want to reach out, you can contact us on twitter. Our username is @cover_podcast. Alternatively, you can call us on 90185005.
If you have any concerns about the covid vaccine, you can talk to your local GP. There is regularly updated information on
the vaccine rollout on the Australian Government’s website: https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines
For updated information about Australia’s vaccine rollout see the government website here.
Story One: The access to news and information has never been greater, but the circulation of misinformation in local football clubs is just as great, Eli Duxson dissects why.
Story Two: Caspar McLeod talks to psychologist Maria Marshall about the mental health impact misinformation and misconceptions have on queer individuals.
Story Three: Professional sport was ‘hit for six’ in 2020 thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. Now one year on, athletes and sporting bodies must recognise their importance in a COVID world that is full of misinformation.
Story Four: Misinformation on social media spreads fast and wide, particularly when it comes to information about people's health. Skye Mitchell discusses this phenomenon with health communication expert Dr Amelia Burke-Garcia.
Story 1: With so much information swirling around about vaccines, it’s worth taking a step back and viewing the bigger picture about how and why misinformation reaches us. Reporter: Matt Parnell
Story 2: The pandemic has been a test of faith for many. This pushed faith leaders to spread the message of God while also righting the wrong of misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. While this may sound all positive, there are some concerns. This is a larger investigation we are conducting, but in this episode we speak with Tasneem Chopra OAM, a cross cultural consultant. Reporter: Shamsiya Hussainpoor.
Story 3: From rumours of 5G spreading the virus, to COVID-19 entering our homes through shipped packages, Australians have been influenced by a flurry of coronavirus misinformation over the past year. But how have culturally and linguistically diverse communities been affected? Undercover investigates Chinese messaging app WeChat as a vehicle for vaccine misinformation among the Chinese Australian community. Reporter: Eleanor Wilson.
Story 4: As the AstraZeneca injection becomes the centre of global conversation, two women living in Calwell, one of the most culturally diverse electorates in Melbourne, discuss how they feel about the COVID-19 vaccines. Mohini and Thruga work at the same aged care residence and in this story they tell us about finding a balance between personal and communal responsibilities. Reporter: Olivia Davendra
Story 5: Despite misinformation of Coronavirus vaccines spread across our media platforms, many elderly people have chosen to receive vaccinations. With the elderly being in a vulnerable group, coronavirus becomes much more severe, emphasising the importance of immunity. Reporter:
Episode 1 | Stronger Bonds Karly Smith
No one could have predicted what this year would hold for us all, but it seems the corona-virus pandemic has caused family and friends to become more important than ever before. Karly Smith dissects the reality of relationships coming out of isolation.
Episode 2 | Where to? Siri Smith
With the COVID-19 pandemic putting a halt on overseas travel, what lies in the distant future of those whose livelihoods depend on travel, and how has it affected people whose travels have been suddenly disrupted? Siri Smith examines the mental and sociological effects of a global pandemic on the travel industry.
Episode 3 | Indonesia Now Sayee Ravi Sankar
With COVID-19 affecting countries across the globe, Sayee Ravi Sankar looks at how Indonesia is handling the pandemic. She explores the current situation and examines what Indonesia has to do moving forward.
Episode 4 | Australia/Singapore Lockdown David Forster
David Forster compares the corona-virus pandemic to the SARS epidemic. He speaks with John McGrath about his experiences living through both SARs in Singapore and COVID-19 here in Australia.
Episode 5 | Take A Breath Laura Green
Corona-virus has forced people to adapt in all areas of life. Laura Green explores how a Gellong engineer adapted his manufacturing business to supply respirators to hospitals to cope with the demand COVID-19 has created.
Episode 6 | Reverse Culture Shock Meg De Jong
Are people anxious about life returning to normal after lockdown? Meg de Jong explores the concept of ‘reverse culture shock’ that many Australians are experiencing as restrictions begin to ease, and how it may impact on people’s mental health and relationships.
Episode 7 | Environmental Impacts Gabriella Payne
Could COVID-19 have a positive impact on climate change? Gabi Payne talks with Sarah Bekessy, Professor of Sustainability and Urban Planning at RMIT, about animals returning to the urban landscape during lockdown, how the pandemic has led to a reduction in carbon emissions around the world and what this could mean in regards to climate change.
If you’re into music reviews, interviews with artists, and music journalism, you know Eve Barlow… or at least you know her work. You might also know her as the journalist fighting against the prediction of the end of journalism. In this bonus interview, journalist Eva Marchingo asks Eve about the future of music journalism in the wake of Coronavirus and beyond.
This episode, we’re looking at how things have changed from what we’re used to, from the media landscape to volunteering. How has the news industry changed and will those changes be permanent? How productive is too productive and are you too dedicated to “the hustle”? How do athletes and regular people train and exercise under restrictions ? What happens when volunteers can’t work any more? All these questions and more, explored in this episode of Under Cover.
Producer: Mikayla Van Loon Assistant Producer: Isabelle Harris Presenter: Katelyn Kalafatis
Story 1 | Tourism Towns Patrick Gabriel
Over the past few months, coronavirus has put restraints on both domestic and international travel. Places that rely heavily on tourism like Byron Bay have become ghost towns, rendering locals unemployed and businesses indefinitely closed. However, the unprecedented event also brought some positive change - an unyielding community spirit.
Story 2 | Van Life April Austen
In recent years, #vanlife has been the dream of many millennials worldwide. Boundless freedom, a low cost of living and a home wherever you please. The lifestyle is not just a means to travel and see the world - it’s about escaping the structure of society as most of us know it. But what happens when coronavirus-imposed restrictions hit just as you’re about to set out on your epic journey?
Story 3 | Economic Recovery Stephen GanavasThe pandemic is likely to lead to Australia’s first recession of the century. Economic policy advisor Yaz Naji explains what this means in terms of a range of key topics. Should JobSeeker remain at the increased rate? Does government debt matter? How are mortgages slowing down our economy? And what will the Australian economy look like post-pandemic?
Story 4 | Special Needs Ned O’Bryan
COVID-19 has undoubtedly increased healthcare requirements across the globe, let alone Australia. Specialised carers for people with special needs have had their work doubled over the emergence of the pandemic. In this story, Ned O’Bryan speaks to a selfless young founder of an organisation that trains carers tailored for children with special needs.
Story 5 | Essential Workers Samantha Burgess
Retail workers, some of the lowest-paid workers in our community, have never typically been viewed as ‘essential’. Now, they’ve been anointed as heroes, putting their health on the line on a daily basis in their interactions with customers. But at what cost? Anxiety and customer abuse are just some of the things these workers are now having to cope with.
Story 6 | Diversity In Lockdown Isabella KrebetWhile doctors are forced to prioritise critically ill patients over others, people who rely periodically on medication have had their schedules thrown into disarray. More often than not, these individuals already found it difficult to procure their medicine. How will they handle having a disrupted distribution schedule?
For reporter Saba Hashmi and her family, Ramadan is not only about fasting; it is also a time for giving and undertaking charity work, spending time with family and friends, spiritual reflection and prayers. This year, however, Ramadan is not going to be like previous years. During Ramadan, Mosques are usually a place of congregation for people to break their fast and pray together. With isolation measures due to COVID-19, this cannot happen this year. But this doesn't mean Saba and her family can't still celebrate the holy month. Here's her story of how she spends Ramadan this year in Melbourne, Australia.
Story 1 | Drugs & Alcohol Reporter: Brodie Hoyne
We’ve all turned to different coping mechanisms during isolation, but one many share is an affinity for the drink. Liquor store owners are comparing their commercial boon to Christmas, with the nation increasing their spending on booze by at least a third on average. But illegal drug use is also on the rise in less traceable ways and in ways you wouldn’t expect.
Story 2 | Dog Walking Reporter: Mikayla van Loon
With the surplus of free time, many people are spending far more time with their furry friends than usual. But frontline workers are less lucky. While clocking 12-hour days, their pets are missing them at home. Dog walkers are being faced with surprisingly unprecedented demand.
Story 3 | Funeral Celebrant Reporter: Sam Watson
It’s hard to grieve in a time where death is a ticking number on a news outlet. It’s even harder when you can’t attend the funeral. Funeral celebrants in Australia are grappling with the Coronavirus-induced restriction of attendees to ten people, and adapting to live streams. With increased privacy comes the cost of shared affection, and a sad increase in business.
Story 4 | Refugee Experiences Reporter: Nicholas Obst
All of us are vulnerable during the coronavirus crisis, but what about those that don’t even have anywhere to call home? Refugees are falling through the ever-widening cracks, and losing their access to charity and housing without eligibility for Jobkeeper. Advocacy seems to be lost in the constant roar of the pandemic news cycle, and it’s hard to know when people might listen to some of our most vulnerable again.
Story 5 | Nannies & Babysitters Reporter: Isabelle Harris
Coronavirus is a two-pronged economic and public health crisis. Few areas illustrate the dilemma in addressing both spikes as well as the traditionally casual work of babysitting. Parents who need them while they adjust to home-schooling their children are scared of the risk of infection involved in letting a babysitter into their home. Some parents can’t afford them, even if they need them. Babysitters are either out of a job or are forced to work under serious risks.
Story 6 | Cam Girls Cai Holroyd
Coronavirus has created a dating crisis. We’ve never craved connection quite like we have while locked away in our homes, unable to touch or see others in the flesh. Sex workers who normally account for shortages in intimacy have a lot more work on their plate, and have been forced to move into the domain of “camming”, where they perform on camera. But they’re being forced to contend with unprecedented demand, legal ambiguity, and competition in the well established cam girl community.
Have you read the Washington Post's story on flattening the curve? The one with dots bouncing off each other? That's the work of reporter Harry Stevens, one of the many journalists around the world who are working amazingly hard to give us the best information you can get about the world we are living in, despite the challenges of not being able to function as usual in a newsroom. Harry Stevens' work is also interesting in another way - his way of using data visualisation gives us a glimpse to how we should think about journalism today and in post-pandemic times. We live in a complex world and we have so much data floating around - his data stories were so inspiring for us journalism students to see how we could work with data, and with the people who are collecting them, to tell important and beautiful stories. We were so inspired that we just had to talk to him, and here's the result. Hope you'll be as inspired as we are.
Story 1 - Supermarkets
For weeks, Australian supermarkets were a place of stress, anxiety and empty shelves. The public panicked and hastily overstocked on supplies. As a result, supermarket workers often copped the brunt of our fear and aggression. Ruby Maclean-Swann is one of those workers.
Reporter - Katie Martin
Story 2 - Mask Explainer
Face masks. Everyone is scrambling to get them, but how much do we really know about them? What kind of masks do we need? What will protect us? And what will not? Reporter Emma Sullivan speaks to experts in the field to answer all these questions and help you understand more about the globe's newest and hottest commodity.
Reporter - Emma Sullivan
Story 3 - Sex Work
The COVID-19 restrictions have been hard for everyone, but some of the Australians who have been hit the hardest are those who require physical contact to make money. Brothels and independent sex workers have found themselves in a world where their work is completely banned, not to mention incredibly dangerous. However, some workers have taken to the online world to adapt to the circumstances.
Reporter - Abbir Dib
Story 4 - Social Security
Unemployment rates are steadily rising amid the pandemic, and to combat this, the Australian government has doubled their welfare payments in order to allow australian families to survive the crisis. But what does this increase say about the original welfare payments if they’re being doubled to ensure family survival? And what happens to those who rely on it when the payments are reduced in six months' time?
Reporter - Ayden Dawkins
Story 5 - Rural Teaching
While families and students all around the country prepare themselves for remote classes for the foreseeable future, there's some schools who seem to be getting left behind. Rural schools with small amounts of funding and resources are struggling. When online learning focuses so heavily on technology, how are schools and families who don't have access to these facilities supposed to keep up?
Reporter - Jonathon Magrath
Story 6 - VCE Learning
There's no doubt about it, VCE students have a lot to lose during the COVID-19 restrictions. With no one-on-one teacher support, no in-class learning and testing, and no stable idea of what their year is going to look like, they are facing a whole new type of VCE.
Reporter - Tamara Clark
Story 7 - Cinema Scope
As an industry that is renowned for sharing stories with thousands audiences on a daily basis, the cinema has become one of the most powerful entertainment experiences in modern society. But as restrictions imposed around the nation have caused all cinemas to shut their doors, this unique mode of storytelling has now been put on hold. Now, a reset within the industry will happen with our own refreshed realisation of the cinema’s importance in society. Something that has the scope of being magical, spectacular and even revelatory.
Reporter - Nick Angus
Story 1 | A Whole New Ballgame: Engaging Indigenous Students Online
For the first time in Australian history, a school semester has started without students in the classroom. While the transition from classroom to online has been mostly seamless, there are still many challenges to face. For Tyrone Bean, Indigenous programs coordinator at Trinity Grammar School in Melbourne, remote learning could set back years of work to close the gap between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous students.
Reporter: Georgia Bennett-Murphy
Story 2 | YA Communication
For many young adults, communication pre COVID-19 consisted of texts, Snapchats and instant messages. Now, since real human contact doesn’t go much further than immediate family, and seeing friends has become a distant notion, many young adults are craving more meaningful contact than the instant messages. So what do they do? They are relearning the skill of making a phone call.
Reporter: Katelyn Kalaafatis
Story 3 | Online Dance
The introduction of social distancing restrictions has seen the closure of dance studios around the country. Taking this in their choreographed strides, instructors and dancers have taken to the internet to teach and perform, and found new ways to move and communicate in the process.
Reporter: Simone Etheve
Story 4 | Business Survival
COVID-19 has brought a fair amount of challenges for everyone. But it has hit businesses, particularly small ones, the hardest. Many have gone from thriving to just trying to survive almost overnight. “Adapt or die” is the ultimatum many Australian businesses are facing at the moment. Two companies, Stagekings from Sydney and BC Global in Melbourne, are proving the best way to survive is by utilising existing skills in new ways.
Reporter: Willem Van Denderen
Story 5 | Introverts
Who would have thought that in 2020, introverts and extroverts would be spending their Friday nights the same way? Yet, here we are. Luckily for us who are more extroversion inclined, two introverts have recognised our plight and are here to discuss what it is like being an introvert in isolation and share a few tips along the way.
Reporter: Saba Hashmi
For the first time in Australian history, a school semester has started without students in the classroom. While the transition from classroom to online has been mostly seamless, there are still many challenges to face. For Tyrone Bean, Indigenous programs coordinator at Trinity Grammar School in Melbourne, remote learning could set back years of work to close the gap between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous students.
Reporter: Georgia Bennett-Murphy
For many young adults, communication pre COVID-19 consisted of texts, Snapchats and instant messages. Now, since real human contact doesn’t go much further than immediate family, and seeing friends has become a distant notion, many young adults are craving more meaningful contact than the instant messages. So what do they do? They are relearning the skill of making a phone call.
Reporter: Katelyn Kalafatis
Who would have thought that in 2020, introverts and extroverts would be spending their Friday nights the same way? Yet, here we are. Luckily for us who are more extroversion inclined, two introverts have recognised our plight and are here to discuss what it is like being an introvert in isolation and share a few tips along the way.
Reporter: Saba Hashmi
COVID-19 has brought a fair amount of challenges for everyone. But it has hit businesses, particularly small ones, the hardest. Many have gone from thriving to just trying to survive almost overnight. “Adapt or die” is the ultimatum many Australian businesses are facing at the moment. Two companies, Stagekings from Sydney and BC Global in Melbourne, are proving the best way to survive is by utilising existing skills in new ways.
Reporter: Willem Van Denderen
The introduction of social distancing restrictions has seen the closure of dance studios around the country. Taking this in their choreographed strides, instructors and dancers have taken to the internet to teach and perform, and found new ways to move and communicate in the process.
Reporter: Simone Etheve
Stay Home
For now, staying home is our safest option to ensure our health and safety. But for those in the community experiencing family violence, home is often the most unsafe place they can be. Where can victims go when they have been told to stay home?
Warning: This story includes descriptions of violence against women in abusive relationships.
Reporter: Alexandra Middleton
The Right Words for Loneliness
During the last month we adjusted to a new ‘normal’. One of staying at home and being socially distant to help slow the spread of Coronavirus. The term ‘social distancing’ has become part of society’s everyday vernacular. But the phrase is proving to be more isolating than intended.
Reporter: Phoebe Humphrey
Elderly in isolation
For most of us, our time in lockdown has consisted of Zoom meetings, Netflix watch parties and daily iso walks to get some fresh air. But for some, going online or outside is simply out of the question. Australia’s elderly population have been told to stay home for their own safety, but what happens when they still need help? And will these few months leave them more alone than ever? We hear from Robert, 92, who, despite the challenges he faces, is still pretty upbeat.
Warning: This story contains descriptions of Christmas in 1967 (which is always a sign of a good story!)
Reporter: Eliza Sears
COVID-19’s impact on local arts and music
During the bushfire season, arts and music events raised millions of dollars in aid by bringing people together. But when the artists and musicians have lost a lot of their traditional sources of income, who is going to raise millions of dollars for them? COVID-19 has changed lives of many of these artists and musicians. What does this mean for the arts and music industry, which relies so much on live events and mass gatherings, and what will they do?
Reporter: Leyla Arrykova
Scams and pandemics
Natural disasters can bring out the best and the worst in people. Some want to help those around them in any way they can, while others can get a little bit selfish. But then there are other people who try to make money off those who have fallen into hard times. As journalists, we are trained to be skeptical. But the reality could often be more interesting. What looked like a scam or a soulless bot turned out to be something else.
Reporter: John Moyle
Dating in isolation
Relationships are tricky at the best of times. So what happens when you add a global pandemic and a strict stay at home rule into the mix? For many of us, the answer is not a positive one. But that doesn't have to be the case. Here's a story to help you handle love and relationships when you can’t even leave your house.
Reporter: Jess Boland
During the last month we adjusted to a new ‘normal’. One of staying at home and being socially distant to help slow the spread of Coronavirus. The term ‘social distancing’ has become part of society’s everyday vernacular. But the phrase is proving to be more isolating than intended.
Reporter: Phoebe Humphrey
For now, staying home is our safest option to ensure our health and safety. But for those in the community experiencing family violence, home is often the most unsafe place they can be. Where can victims go when they have been told to stay home?
In Australia, if you or anyone you know needs help, you can call:
Lifeline on 13 11 14 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 and Triple 0 in an emergency.
Reporter: Alexandra Middleton
Warning: This story includes descriptions of violence against women in abusive relationships.
Reporter: Alexandra Middleton
Relationships are tricky at the best of times. So what happens when you add a global pandemic and a strict stay at home rule into the mix? For many of us, the answer is not a positive one. But that doesn't have to be the case. Here's a story to help you handle love and relationships when you can’t even leave your house.
Reporter: Jess Boland
Natural disasters can bring out the best and the worst in people. Some want to help those around them in any way they can, while others can get a little bit selfish. But then there are other people who try to make money off those who have fallen into hard times. As journalists, we are trained to be skeptical. But the reality could often be more interesting. What looked like a scam or a soulless bot turned out to be something else.
Reporter: John Moyle
During the bushfire season, arts and music events raised millions of dollars in aid by bringing people together. But when the artists and musicians have lost a lot of their traditional sources of income, who is going to raise millions of dollars for them? COVID-19 has changed lives of many of these artists and musicians. What does this mean for the arts and music industry, which relies so much on live events and mass gatherings, and what will they do?
Reporter: Leyla Arrykova
For most of us, our time in lockdown has consisted of Zoom meetings, Netflix watch parties and daily iso walks to get some fresh air. But for some, going online or outside is simply out of the question. Australia’s elderly population have been told to stay home for their own safety, but what happens when they still need help? And will these few months leave them more alone than ever? We hear from Robert, 92, who, despite the challenges he faces, is still pretty upbeat.
Warning: This story contains descriptions of Christmas in 1967 (which is always a sign of a good story!)
Reporter: Eliza Sears
No one knows
We generally like to think of ourselves as free. Free to go about our lives the way we choose to. Coronavirus has changed that for a lot of us, especially for people with invisible illnesses who are more at risk than most people. In the time of coronavirus, they face a new question: will keeping it a secret put them in danger?
Reporter: Eva Marchingo
Freedom Run
Ella Barry, like most, is feeling more trapped than ever amid the coronavirus outbreak. But things become more real when she discovers her cousin has been infected by the deadly virus. Feeling like all that is good has been taken away, and when the daily bickering and arguing with her family becomes too much, Ella has found a way to feel free again.
Reporter: Sophie Jacobsen
Public Transport
Victorian public transport has introduced changes to make their services as infection-free as possible, which means trains, trams and bus services in Victoria have been reduced or stopped altogether, leaving some Victorians who don’t drive stranded.
Reporter: Sharee Ratten
Distancing
We are now a society at a distance, forced to separate in order to survive. Along with the shut down of non-essential services, citizens returning must now follow new isolation measures which could see them spend time in isolation before they can be reunited with their family. What does that feel like? What can we do to take care of our mental health while in isolation?
Reporter: Giulia Raneri
Ella Barry, like most, is feeling more trapped than ever amid the coronavirus outbreak. But things become more real when she discovers her cousin has been infected by the deadly virus. Feeling like all that is good has been taken away, and when the daily bickering and arguing with her family becomes too much, Ella has found a way to feel free again.
Reporter: Sophie Jacobsen
We generally like to think of ourselves as free. Free to go about our lives the way we choose to. Coronavirus has changed that for a lot of us, especially for people with invisible illnesses who are more at risk than most people. In the time of coronavirus, they face a new question: will keeping it a secret put them in danger?
Reporter: Eva Marchingo
We are now a society at a distance, forced to separate in order to survive. Along with the shut down of non-essential services, citizens returning must now follow new isolation measures which could see them spend time in isolation before they can be reunited with their family. What does that feel like? What can we do to take care of our mental health while in isolation? Reporter: Giulia Raneri
Victorian public transport has introduced changes to make their services as infection-free as possible, which means trains, trams and bus services in Victoria have been reduced or stopped altogether, leaving some Victorians who don’t drive stranded. Reporter: Sharee Ratten