The Signal

ABC Radio

The Signal is the ABC's daily news podcast that helps cut through the noise to cover the biggest stories, explaining not only what is happening but why. It's an entertaining 15-minute show, perfect for the daily commute.

  • 14 minutes 33 seconds
    What Stormy Daniels told the Trump trial

    When a porn star took the stand in a New York courtroom, her account of sex with Donald Trump was so detailed and at times graphic, the former US president’s lawyers called for a mistrial.

    Trump often kept his eyes closed as Stormy Daniels spoke about an alleged sexual encounter in 2006. He denies they had sex at all. 

    The criminal trial is all about a hush money payment she says she received before the 2016 election. 

    Today, Josh Gerstein, the senior legal affairs reporter for Politico, takes us through the evidence.

    Featured: 

    Josh Gerstein, Politico senior legal affairs reporter

    8 May 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 15 minutes 3 seconds
    The terrorism risk and radicalised teens

    There have been two knife attacks within just weeks of each other that are being linked to terrorism. 

    One was a church in Sydney and the other outside a Bunnings in Perth on the weekend.

    Both involved teenage boys. So, what’s going on? 

    Today, investigative reporter Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop on the radicalisation of vulnerable young people and whether programs to stop it are working. 

    Featured: 

    Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop, ABC investigative reporter

    Editor’s note: The WA Education Department has confirmed the incident involving an explosive device in a school toilet happened in 2022, before the boy was put on the countering violent extremism program.

    7 May 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 14 minutes 12 seconds
    The case for banning phones for kids

    You have to be aged at least 13 to access social media like TikTok, Twitter and Instagram in Australia. 

    But is that an appropriate age, given the disturbing content available and harm heavy social media use can cause? 

    Could we just ban smartphones and social media for Australian kids altogether?

    Today, we meet a father who has limited his daughter’s phone use and a psychiatrist who’ll explain the problems that smartphones can cause. 

    Featured: 

    Danny Elachi, The Heads Up Alliance founder

    Dr Yann Poncin, child psychiatrist at the Yale Child Studies Center 

    6 May 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 14 minutes 28 seconds
    Can Boeing rebuild trust after safety scares?

    Two deadly crashes and a mid-air door blowout have rocked the reputation of Boeing, with questions intensifying about the quality of its planes.

    Concerns about the 737 MAX aircraft peaked when a hole opened up on the side of an Alaska Airlines flight in January this year. 

    Today, Jerry Useem, who’s been investigating Boeing for more than two decades, charts the firm’s departure from in-house manufacturing. 

    He’s been writing for the Atlantic magazine about how Boeing switched its focus to its stock price and what that meant for the safety of its aircraft.

    Featured: 

    Jerry Useem, contributing writer at The Atlantic

    5 May 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 13 minutes 47 seconds
    When should uni protests be shut down?

    At Columbia University in the heart of New York City late one evening this week riot police stormed a university hall. 

    They entered via a window to arrest students who’d for weeks been camping out at the campus to protest against the war in Gaza. 

    Now, the pro-Palestinian movement that’s seen more than a thousand students arrested across the US has landed here. 

    Today, we look at the encampments popping up on campuses across the country and ask how will university leaders allow freedom of speech while ensuring Jewish students and staff feel safe? 

    Featured: 

    Dr Tim Dean, senior philosopher at the Ethics Centre

    2 May 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 14 minutes 29 seconds
    Why budget airlines keep failing

    Most Australians had never flown it and now they may never get a chance. 

    Bonza has followed so many other airlines and gone into administration, meaning yet again less competition in our aviation market. 

    Today, the rise and rapid fall of the budget carrier and whether we will one day get a third major airline to drive down airfares across the country. 

    Featured: 

    Justin Wastnage, adjunct professor in aviation at Griffith University

    1 May 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 14 minutes 49 seconds
    Could there be three rate hikes this year?

    Inflation pressures were meant to be coming off a bit more by now, but a higher than expected reading has one prominent economist suggesting interest rates could go up three times this year.

    So, why is inflation so sticky? And will the Reserve Bank feel compelled to lift rates to further dampen economic activity? 

    Today, chief business correspondent Ian Verrender explains what’s going wrong. 

    Featured: 

    Ian Verrender, ABC Chief Business Correspondent

    30 April 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 15 minutes 5 seconds
    The violence against women ‘tipping point’

    At big rallies on the weekend women and men came together to say enough is enough, that violence against women must end.

    Today, the ABC’s Patricia Karvelas on what needs to happen to address one of the nation’s most entrenched problems. 

    Featured: 

    Patricia Karvelas, host of RN Breakfast, Q+A and the Party Room podcast

    29 April 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 14 minutes 33 seconds
    Why more kids are saying no to school

    In Australia, an increasing number of children are missing school and part of the problem is what has been called school avoidance or refusal. 

    But families who are struggling say it’s more accurately called ‘school can’t’ because some students experience a stress response that prevents them from getting to the classroom. 

    Today, Four Corners’ filmmaker Sascha Ettinger-Epstein shares her insights into the issue and what’s working to get children's education back on track. 

    Featured: 

    Sascha Ettinger-Epstein, Four Corners’ filmmaker

    28 April 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 14 minutes 56 seconds
    Louise Milligan on male violence

    After the Bondi attack, like so many other women, journalist Louise Milligan found the horror of it hard to comprehend. 

    Since then and with the death of yet another young woman allegedly at the hands of a former partner this week, discussion about violence against women in Australia has been reignited. 

    Today, observations from years of reporting on this issue, Louise Milligan’s own encounters with threats of violence and why men need to step up. 

    Featured: 

    Louise Milligan, author and ABC journalist

    25 April 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 13 minutes 57 seconds
    Hugh Grant, Murdoch and phone hacking

    It must feel like a never-ending battle for Rupert Murdoch. 

    His British newspaper group is continuing to face legal action more than a decade after the phone hacking scandal came to a head. 

    Now he’s settled with the actor Hugh Grant who was accusing the Sun newspaper of everything from bugging his car to robbing his home to get stories. 

    Today, ABC Media Watch host Paul Barry on how Murdoch has paid out many millions of dollars to avoid trial and what it all means for his empire. 

    Featured: 

    Paul Barry, Media Watch presenter

    24 April 2024, 4:00 pm
  • More Episodes? Get the App
© MoonFM 2024. All rights reserved.