Four Corners - Season 53 / Year 2021

A gripping account of the insurrection as it unfolded, told by those who were there. In her return to Four Corners, Sarah Ferguson confronts some of those who answered Donald Trump's call to overturn the election result.

A personal portrait of the man now leading America charting Joe Biden's rise from a hardscrabble childhood where he faced bullying and discrimination based on a severe stutter, to personal tragedies and political missteps.

Self-described defenders of Russia are determined to shut down anti-Putin sentiment in Australia, establishing pro-Moscow chapters as part of a propaganda war to remind the world that Russia is a force to the reckoned with.

Four Corners investigates accusations of mismanagement and neglect which have fuelled a bitter dispute between Kakadu's traditional owners and the authority that runs the World Heritage Listed site.

China's President Xi Jinping and his quest for world power. An insightful look at his rise to power, how he consolidated his leadership through economic strength, populism and iron fist control, and what is his agenda?

Tonight on Four Corners Louise Milligan reports on "Bursting the Canberra Bubble".

Four Corners examines the historical rape allegation made against Federal Attorney General Christian Porter, which he strenuously denies.

"I have been subject to the most wild, intense, unrestrained series of accusations that I can remember in modern Australian politics." Federal Attorney General Christian Porter

"The only thing that I'm ever going to be able to say, and it's the truth — and that is that nothing in the allegations that have been printed ever happened." Federal Attorney General Christian Porter

"I would have thought if there was an inquiry by a competent person without a political agenda, that that would be a way of stopping this trial by media." Friend of the complainant.

In a shocking investigation, Four Corners reveals how a sex slave cult has been operating in plain sight here in Australia.

When former coalition staffer Brittany Higgins came forward to allege that she had been raped in a ministerial office in Parliament House, it horrified the country. Four Corners examines who knew what, and when.

Four Corners investigates what is driving the Federal Government's push for a gas-fired future in the face of considerable scepticism, with many warning that the public is not fully informed about the costs of backing gas.

An investigation into what the Chinese government knew about the COVID-19 outbreak and compelling evidence of a determined campaign to keep it under wraps.

How Australia's trade with China became a political weapon. Stephen Long reveals how trade sanctions appear to have been carefully timed and targeted to cause maximum damage plus the human and financial cost of the dispute.

Across the country, millions of Australians of all ages, play video games every day. Four Corners brings together gamers, industry players and psychologists to investigate the manipulative techniques used across many games.

After being diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), renowned scientist and robotics expert Dr Peter Scott-Morgan set out to find and apply cutting edge technology to extend his life and retain the essence of who he is.

With the rise of online shopping, the demand for cheap and readily available clothing has created a new fashion boom. Four Corners investigates the unglamorous, and in some cases illegal practices of the clothing industry.

Australia's success in keeping COVID from taking hold made us the envy of the world, but the slow pace of vaccine rollout has caused frustration and confusion. Adam Harvey charts how our vaccination program has fallen short.

A cautionary tale of big money, back room lobbying and political influence. As James Packer prepares to walk away from the casino business he championed, those who fought against Crown say there are lessons to be learned.

Twenty years on from the 9/11 terror attacks, former war correspondent Graeme Smith travels back through the cities and provinces of Afghanistan to try and make sense of the conflict.

A family divided by QAnon. The extreme political movement has mobilised a committed band of believers dedicated to fighting what they claim is a war against corrupt child abusing elites. QAnon has vocal devotees in Australia.

The story behind the turmoil that's engulfed Australia Post. Four Corners investigates allegations of secret privatisation plans and proposed job cuts, and examines who was really standing up for whom. In interviews with key players, we ask the decision makers to explain their actions to the people of Australia.

How the casino regulator failed to stop crime at Crown. Industry insiders with decades of experience speak for the first time about how the regulator allowed crime to flourish under its nose. Their revelations expose how and why Crown was not held in check and they say Crown is not the only one that needs to accountable.

The rise and fall of an Australian billionaire. From Bundaberg to the boardrooms of the international corporate elite, how did Lex Greensill make and lose a fortune, leaving a trail of creditors and investors in the lurch.

Mount Everest has become big business with multiple companies selling the promise of an adventure of a lifetime. But surging numbers of inexperienced climbers have been swarming the mountain, with deadly consequences. Now the elder statesmen of the climbing community warn that change is needed to protect both Everest and those who climb it.

Data mining, discrimination and dangerous content on the world's most popular app. In a joint investigation by Four Corners and triple j's Hack, Avani Dias uncovers the many techniques TikTok is using to know about its users.

How Australia became trapped by COVID-19. Despite millions of people staying at home, the number of infections is climbing with the virulent Delta strain. How issues of supply and hesitancy left Australia dangerously exposed.

Artificial intelligence is changing our lives in ways that were once dismissed as the stuff of science fiction. The technology has the capacity to improve our lives, but it also presents potentially grave risks.

Four Corners is the longest running show on Australian Television.

On Saturday 19th August 1961, Four Corners made its debut on Australian TV. With a staff of just six and a weekly budget of £480, the first national TV current affairs show was on the air. Originally a ‘magazine' style show made up of several stories, copies of the program were flown around the country for broadcast. Today, Four Corners is the longest running series on Australian television and a powerhouse of investigative journalism – fearless and forensic, holding power to account for 60 years.

The award-winning program has amassed 62 Walkley awards, seven of them the coveted Gold, as well as 23 Logie awards.

To mark the program's extraordinary milestone, Four Corners will broadcast a special episode with highlights from the show's six decades.

As the program travels through the decades the faces and voices of generations of reporters and hosts appear, including the likes of Michael Charlton, Michael Willesee, Caroline Jones, Paul Lyneham, Andrew Olle, Kerry O'Brien, Chris Masters, Paul Barry, Liz Jackson, Tony Jones, and Sarah Ferguson.

https://www.abc.net.au/4corners/fearless-and-forensic,-for-60-years/13498436

Reporter: Sarah Ferguson

Four Corners investigates how the Murdoch run Fox News became a propaganda vehicle for Donald Trump and helped destabilise democracy in the United States. Featuring Fox News insiders, the program reveals how the network changed once Donald Trump entered politics and Rupert Murdoch took over.

In interviews with major Fox figures including Gretchen Carlson, the presenter who brought down famed network boss Roger Ailes; and former Fox political editor Chris Stirewalt, a key figure on the Decision Desk whose election night call triggered a Trump meltdown - the program examines the politics at work within the network and why it tied its fortunes to Donald Trump.

Fox News insiders reveal how the network changed once Donald Trump entered politics and Rupert Murdoch took over. Part 2 examines the politics at work within the network and fear this alliance has put US democracy in peril.

Four Corners takes you into the fall of Kabul. Interviews and videos from people on the ground capture the drama and chaos of the last 16 days and show the desperate lengths people were resorting to for a chance at freedom.

Exposing the secretive world of the Jehovah's Witnesses. Former members reveal the secretive practices used to instil fear and maintain discipline among followers. Those who have escaped say it's time to hold them to account.

A new type of crime that goes to the heart of what we eat. Criminal syndicates are infiltrating the global food supply chain, undermining the ability of consumers to trust what is on the label and what ends up on their plate.

Big money, sportswashing and the power play to control Australian soccer. Almost half of our premier soccer clubs are owned or controlled by foreign entities. Who are these powerbrokers and what are they getting out of it?

In a major international investigation Four Corners reveals the secrets of the Pandora Papers. Despite authorities promising to close loop holes and crack down on the myriad of offshore services, this industry is flourishing.

The inside story of Sony Music, where fear and intimidation stalked the corridors for decades. Former employees break their silence to expose a toxic workplace culture where appalling behaviour was normalised and covered up.

For 16 years, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been a trailblazing leader on the world stage. After 30 years in politics she has chosen to leave public life at the height of her popularity, having remained an enigma.

Behind the glitz and glamour of cosmetic surgery lie some ugly truths. Adele Ferguson exposes alarming practices in this multi-billion-dollar industry and reveals how the regulatory system is failing to protect Australians.

What's driving Australia's property frenzy. Despite fears of a collapse, the pandemic saw house prices rise at the fastest pace in decades. Stephen Long tracks the property price boom fuelling risky and irrational behaviour.

The secret deals making the Obeid family millions. Angus Grigg has been on the financial trail uncovering secret business dealings and how business is still booming for the Obeids, funding a lavish lifestyle. (Final for 2021)