Background Briefing

The Australian government wants to smash the people smugglers' business model and courts around the country are now dealing with hundreds of the accused. But how many of them are just children from Indonesian fishing villages whose families think they're lost at sea? Reporters, Hagar Cohen and Rebecca Henschke.

Is the world's population out of control? There will be 7 billion people this year and 9 billion by 2050. With demographers, environmentalists and others fearing unsustainable pressure on resources, historian Matthew Connelly goes to India to examine past and present attempts at population control. From the BBC World Service.

Producing new medicines to extend lives and reduce suffering is a noble cause. The marketing of those drugs is often ignoble, with the wining and dining of doctors and the use of specialists to spruik the company line. A former industry insider gives a unique insight into the selling techniques of big pharma. Reporter, Ray Moynihan.

In its 50 years Amnesty International has revolutionised human rights campaigning and saved lives. It has also been dogged by quarrels, scandals and allegations of political bias. Reporter Matthew Bannister, from the BBC World Service

'Zyzz' was a ladies man and a puny boy's dream realised. From skinny teenager to rippling Adonis he epitomised a growing obsession with male body culture. His death had an unexpected impact and has re-opened concerns about steroid use. Reporter, Brendan King. Photo source: Facebook

Get ready for the next big app attack, urging you to chop up your credit cards and use your mobile phone. You won't have to go to a shop, just point the phone at a handily-placed barcode, and you've paid! It's not a phone, it's a 'smart wallet', and your mobile banker skims off a bit of every transaction. Security? It's a work in progress. Reporter, Stan Correy.

The internet is awash with misinformation, manipulated identities, fake reviews, and dishonest comments. Politicians use astroturfing. So do businesses and marketing firms. Beware—it's infecting everyone. Reporter Hagar Cohen

Container deposit schemes operate in many parts of the world, in SA, and soon in the NT. Why will some firms go to great lengths to prevent them? Politicians often fear the financial and strategic might of big business - even when it's about who picks up the drink can or the beer bottles. Reporter Di Martin.

Container deposit schemes operate in many parts of the world, in SA, and soon in the NT. Why will some firms go to great lengths to prevent them? Politicians often fear the financial and strategic might of big business - even when it's about who picks up the drink can or the beer bottles. Reporter Di Martin.

Rents are rising even in country towns, and more people are forced into caravan parks, the back rooms of old pubs - or the river bank - even with young children. It can happen to anyone. It will get worse. Various attempts to create more places for people to live at cheap rent are not meeting the need. Reporter Anita Barraud.