Democracy's Watchdogs

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Democracy's Watchdogs

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Democracy's Watchdogs is an archive of video interviews with Australia's best former and current investigative journalists.

It aims to show how senior investigative reporters approach their work, confront challenges, and how democracy benefits.

30/09/2026

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/the-age-on-the-hunt-for-the-next-generation-of-passionate-journalists-20260930-p611op.html

Applications are now open for a 12-month journalism traineeship in The Age’s Melbourne newsroom, offering the next generation of reporters a chance to hone their breaking news skills.

22/09/2026

Journalism students in Australia and New Zealand can enter their best investigative stories now:

Democracy’s Watchdogs’ award for the best investigative story by a university journalism student is open for entries.

13/09/2026

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/the-press-must-change-to-serve-democracy/

To revive itself, and fulfill its obligation to the public and democracy, journalism must focus more on helping people than merely getting their attention.

07/09/2026

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/ng-interactive/2026/sep/07/us-military-bases-in-australia-map-list-spy-satellite-pine-gap

Exclusive: US-controlled weapons corporations and forces have control or access to more than 100 facilities across the continent, which some analysts describe as a ‘colonisation’ of Australia’s military. Find a map of them here

06/09/2026

https://ipi.media/malta-not-guilty-verdict-in-daphne-caruana-galizia-murder-trial-a-devastating-setback-in-fight-for-justice/

The International Press Institute (IPI) is devastated by the not guilty verdict reached today in the historic trial of Maltese businessman Yorgen Fenech, who had been charged with masterminding the 2017 murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The jury cleared Fenech of both charges of murder an...

01/08/2026

Great to see The Age's 'Medical Malfunctions' series on adverse events in health care produced by and . These stories are difficult and take time to do. They expose systemic issues in patient care that otherwise would remain hidden. Many patients are victims to the neglect and lack of accountability that exists in health care. They often have no idea of what went wrong. Latest: https://www.theage.com.au/national/fiona-s-mum-died-after-a-heart-surgery-machine-gave-her-a-fatal-infection-hospitals-are-still-using-it-20260729-p60jjy.html

Twenty years later, adverse events are still largely kept under wraps: https://publicintegrity.org/health/the-story-behind-fatal-care/

After several patient deaths, experts say the machines are fatally flawed and should be removed from Australian operating theatres.

27/07/2026

A well written and researched account - of course, it's Sally Neighbour! - of what's been happening inside the ABC and its key power players.

A check out our interview with Sally if you haven't already done so.

Amid stories of power struggles and personal conflict within the ABC, news director Justin Stevens was unceremoniously pushed out in May. What’s behind the turmoil?

16/07/2026

Catch Andrew Fowler's interview now as a podcast. He talks about his book on Julian Assange and the debacle that was and is the AUKUS agreement. He has some grim reflections on the state of the media too. Many other iconic Australian investigative reporters there too. https://democracyswatchdogs.org/podcast
Bill Birnbauer Melbourne Press Club The Walkley Foundation The Age Journalist Alumni

Listen to Australia’s top investigative journalists as they discuss stories that changed the national conversation by exposing corruption and other misdeeds by powerful interests.

14/07/2026

Anti-corruption lessons from years past need to be implemented today - Peter Bartlett, The Age's former legal counsel. Bob Bottom is mentioned in Peter's story - our interview with Bob below.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/organised-crime-was-out-of-control-and-the-age-helped-break-its-back-here-s-how-victoria-can-do-it-again-20260713-p60eyd.html

https://democracyswatchdogs.org/bob-bottom

Bob Bottom risked his life fighting organised crime as a journalist, a source to other journalists and as an advocate for the creation of federal and state crime-busting commissions.

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Melbourne, VIC

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https://democracyswatchdogs.org/

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