Background Briefing

As governments step up efforts to counter IS propaganda, Dominic Casciani travels to Canada and Jordan to find out how the online threat is being met there. He speaks to a mother whose son was recruited in Canada and killed in Syria, and to an e-mufti in Jordan who’s trying to challenge IS online.    

Many children are being let down by the education system as the rise in autism and behavioural disorders strains the resources of mainstream and special schools. Ann Arnold follows the story of 11 year old twins Jake and Cooper, and finds serious shortfalls in the schooling options for children with disabilities.

Homophobia is rife in Australian sport. Whether playing at the local park or representing their country, gay and lesbian athletes routinely hide their sexuality to avoid abuse while pursuing the sport they love. Sarah Dingle investigates how difficult it is to come out on the field.

A man bashing a woman is the domestic violence stereotype, but just as typical is the man who uses other forms of abuse to exert control over his partner. Jess Hill entered the lives of perpetrators and their partners to investigate the cycle of violence.

The financial links between audiologists and hearing aid manufacturers are so common in Australia, there’s a good chance the audiologist testing your hearing is on a bonus to sell you a hearing aid. So why has a practice that’s not acceptable in other parts of the health profession become industry standard in audiology? Hagar Cohen investigates.

The huge jump in Ross River virus cases in Queensland and NSW is a sign of things to come, as climate change extends the mosquito breeding season and new suburbs push further into prime mosquito habitat. There’s a safe and effective vaccine but it’s not yet publicly available, as Ian Townsend reports.

Surgical work done every day in cosmetic and skin cancer clinics does not require specialist training and the victims of poor surgery are left with little recourse. William Verity reports on a growing medical industry that is not governed by the medical regulator.

They’re called the farmer’s friend, but research indicates that 15-20 people are killed and more than 1,000 are seriously injured each year in quad bike accidents. The industry blames rider behaviour, while safety experts say the bikes are inherently unstable and want increased safety measures. Ann Arnold investigates.

How do you turn people away from joining extremist groups like Islamic State? In the second of a two-part special investigation Sarah Dingle reveals the programs being run by Muslim community groups in Australia with no government support, and she tracks down a former violent extremist who’s trying to de-radicalise young Muslim jihadists.

What makes young men and women from the suburbs of Australia decide to go and fight for Islamic State? In the first of a two-part special investigation Sarah Dingle takes us inside the process of radicalisation. Australian Muslims talk openly about the pull of IS and we discover new cases of people leaving Australia to fight in Syria.