The Lindt siege was the bravest day in Ben Besant’s life and the worst. He faced and killed a shotgun-wielding terrorist, but then learnt his actions contributed to the accidental death of a hostage. He believes another hostage died because he and his colleagues didn’t get there in time. As a Tactical Operations Officer (TOU), Ben and his mates were more prepared for their own deaths than those of hostages. He’d texted his goodbyes to his wife.

Ben’s training for that moment and family pedigree of service is typical of so many young Australians prepared to risk their lives responding to life-threatening situations. His life since is also a cautionary example of the personal cost, as the damage of all the trauma he’d faced landed squarely on his family.

This is Ben’s story.

Click here to listen to Lindt Siege: The Untold Story.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicki Reisberg is a former social media manager and advocate for social media reform. Nicki is also a podcast host - Scrolling 2 Death.

WARNING: This interview includes discussion of suicide and self-harm. If these topics may be triggering to you, please skip this episode. 

If you're in Australia and need help, call 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au. If you're outside Australia please talk to your healthcare professional. 

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Facebook was created by Mark Zuckerberg to ‘connect the world’ - now many believe parent company Meta is ruining the world through its apps including Instagram. Is that just moral panic and political posturing or is there a real threat to us and our children?

In this series, we’ll reveal the real motivations and methods of the tech giant from insiders, whistleblowers, and researchers.

We’ll also provide tips to keep children safe.

For resources and more information head to 7news.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lotte Rubeak is a leading psychologist who was on Meta’s global expert group for three years, advising the company on suicide prevention and self-harm.

WARNING: This interview includes discussion of suicide and self-harm. If these topics may be triggering to you, please skip this episode. 

If you're in Australia and need help, call 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au. If you're outside Australia please talk to your healthcare professional. 

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Facebook was created by Mark Zuckerberg to ‘connect the world’ - now many believe parent company Meta is ruining the world through its apps including Instagram. Is that just moral panic and political posturing or is there a real threat to us and our children?

In this series, we’ll reveal the real motivations and methods of the tech giant from insiders, whistleblowers, and researchers.

We’ll also provide tips to keep children safe.

For resources and more information head to 7news.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Miller is the Executive Chair of News Corp Australia.

He has over 15 years’ experience working in senior executive roles in the media industry, most recently as the CEO of APN News and Media.

Michael was previously the Regional Director for News Limited in New South Wales, the Managing Director of Advertiser News Media, and News Limited’s Group Marketing Director where he was involved in all aspects of marketing across News Corp’s 11 divisions in the region.

Michael has sat on the Boards of News Limited, Fox Sports Australia, carsguide.com.au, Sky Network Television Limited, the Committee for Sydney and Waratahs Rugby.

He is currently the Chairman of The Newspaper Works and a Director of Unruly, REA, Foxtel and FOX SPORTS.

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Facebook was created by Mark Zuckerberg to ‘connect the world’, now many believe parent company Meta is ruining the world through its apps including Instagram. Is that just moral panic and political posturing or is there a real threat to us and our children?

In this series, we’ll reveal the real motivations and methods of the tech giant from insiders, whistleblowers, and researchers.

We’ll also provide tips to keep children safe.

For resources and more information head to 7news.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Donovan is one of the world's leading experts on disinformation. The researcher claims she was fired from Harvard after publishing Facebook documents.

Joan is an Assistant Professor at Boston University in journalism and emerging media studies and founder of the Critical Internet Studies Institute.

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Facebook was created by Mark Zuckerberg to ‘connect the world’ - now many believe parent company Meta is ruining the world through its apps including Instagram. Is that just moral panic and political posturing or is there a real threat to us and our children?

In this series, we’ll reveal the real motivations and methods of the tech giant from insiders, whistleblowers, and researchers.

We’ll also provide tips to keep children safe.

For resources and more information head to 7news.com.au

 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Raffile is a cybercrime intelligence analyst who had a job at Meta job revoked because he criticized Instagram.

WARNING: This interview includes discussion of suicide and self-harm. If these topics may be triggering to you, please skip this episode. 

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Facebook was created by Mark Zuckerberg to ‘connect the world’ - now many believe parent company Meta is ruining the world through its apps including Instagram. Is that just moral panic or is there a real threat to us and our children?

In this series, we’ll reveal the real motivations and methods of the tech giant from insiders, whistleblowers, and researchers.

We’ll also provide tips to keep children safe.

For resources and more information head to 7news.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wayne Holdsworth's son Mac died after being targeted on Instagram, he now wants Mark Zuckerberg to hear his story.

WARNING: This interview includes discussion of suicide and self-harm. If these topics may be triggering to you, please skip this episode. 

If you're in Australia and need help, call 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au. If you're outside Australia please talk to your healthcare professional. 

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Facebook was created to ‘connect the world’ - now many believe parent company Meta is ruining the world through its apps including Instagram. Is that just moral panic and political posturing or is there a real threat to us and our children?

In this series, we’ll reveal the real motivations and methods of the tech giant from insiders, whistleblowers, and researchers.

We’ll also provide tips to keep children safe.

For resources and more information head to 7news.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arturo Bejar is a Meta whistleblower and former engineering director at Facebook.

Arturo worked for Meta between 2009 and 2015, and again from 2019 to 2021.

2009 – 2015: Engineering director, Protect and Care Team

2019 – 2021: Consultant on Instagram’s Well-Being Team

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Facebook was created by Mark Zuckerberg to ‘connect the world’ - now many believe parent company Meta is ruining the world through its apps including Instagram. Is that just moral panic and political posturing or is there a real threat to us and our children?

In this series, we’ll reveal the real motivations and methods of the tech giant from insiders, whistleblowers, and researchers.

We’ll also provide tips to keep children safe.

For resources and more information head to 7news.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the late 90's we've witnessed the launch and extraordinary growth of social media platforms. We're now witnessing the damage they’re creating – particularly tech giant Meta. 

Meta is a multinational technology company whose products include Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp.

Originally launched by CEO Mark Zuckerberg to connect the world, now many believe the tech company is ruining the world, often referred to as the new tobacco. But is that just moral panic and political posturing or is there a real threat to us and our children?

In this series, we’ll reveal, for the first time, Meta’s real motivations and methods from those who know best - whistleblowers, researchers, psychologists and victims.

We’ll also make sure there are plenty of tips to protect you and your children.

Hosts: Michael Usher and Sarah Greenhalgh 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.