Democracy's Watchdogs

About Democracy's Watchdogs

This is a critical time in the history of Australian democracy with thousands of journalists losing their jobs due to the transformation of the media's business model. The rise of fake news and spin is poisoning public debate. It is time to reflect on the incalculable worth of original in-depth reporting and its value to a healthy democracy and informed public sphere. Democracy’s Watchdogs provides an oral history through interviews with past and current Australian investigative reporters who exposed corruption and held powerful government, criminal and corporate interest

Publisher

Bill Birnbauer

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 May 2023

Latest episode

13 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

22 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Jul 2026

   Andrew Fowler

   Veteran journalist Andrew Fowler left the ABC in 2013 after almost 50 years in journalism. He now writes investigative books. In this interview we talk to him about Julian Assange and the state of the media, and in a second video, about the contentious AUKUS pact.

2. 

   9 Apr 2026

   Interview - Phil Dickie

   Undeterred by legal threats, intimidation and denials by politicians and police, Phil Dickie kept digging into the crime syndicates running illegal prostitution and gambling in Queensland. His reporting set the scene for an inquiry by Tony Fitzgerald, QC, that resulted in the axing of senior political and police figures and widespread reforms.

3. 

   17 Oct 2025

   Interview - Charlotte Grieve & Dean Levitan

   Investigative journalist Charlotte Grieve and media lawyer Dean Levitan discuss the first successful use of the new public interest defence to defamation. Charlotte and other Nine journalists were sued by high-profile orthopaedic surgeon Dr Munjed Al Muderis over stories about his patient care. A Federal Court judge concluded the stories were in the public interest and dismissed the case. The surgeon has appealed in a case that will further test a defence that could boost investigative journalism in Australia.

Contact Democracy's Watchdogs

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.