Byron Writers FestivalByron Writers Festival
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • About us
    • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Our Board
  • What’s On
    • What’s On
      • Colum McCann in Conversation
      • Publishing Masterclass with Alex Adsett 2025
      • Candice Fox’s Crime Writing Crash Course | Online 2025
  • Members
    • Festival Friends
    • Residential Mentorship
      • Alumni
    • Mentorships
    • Writers’ Groups
  • Festival
    • Byron Writers Festival
    • Key Information
      • FAQ
      • Travel
      • Accessibility
      • Accommodation
      • Sustainability
    • Primary Schools Day
    • Secondary Schools Day
  • StoryBoard
    • StoryBoard
    • Masterclasses
    • Student Writing Prizes
    • Primary Schools Day
    • Secondary Schools Day
  • Get Involved
    • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • Partner With Us
  • News
    • Early Bird Tickets
  • Podcasts
  • Contact Us

Conversations from Byron

DONATE
PODCAST

On Secrets: Annika Smethurst in conversation with Sunil Badami


On June 4, Federal Police raided the home of Walkley award-winning journalist Annika Smethurst, changing her life forever.

Police claim they were investigating the publication of classified information, her employer called it a ‘dangerous act of intimidation’, Smethurst believes she was simply doing her job. Smethurst became the accidental poster woman for press freedom as politicians debated the merits of police searching through her underwear drawer.

In On Secrets she discusses the impact this invasion has had on her life, and examines the importance of press freedom.

In this Conversations from Byron podcast, Annika talks with Sunil Badami about her path to political reporting, and how she approaches questions of confidentiality, national security and truth-telling in her occupation. She tells us about the day her home was raided by the AFP, and how the experience impacted her personal and professional life, as well as its effect on journalism as a whole.

Thanks to Delta Kay, Arakwal Bundjalung woman, for the Welcome to Country on this podcast.


Listen Now


About the authors


Annika Smethurst

Annika Smethurst is a Walkley award-winning journalist. She is the Daily Telegraph‘s and Sunday Herald Sun‘s political editor.


Sunil Badami

Sunil Badami is a writer and broadcaster, who’s written for most major Australian publications and appears regularly on ABC radio and TV.


VIEW FULL PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD

< Back to all podcasts
CONNECT

Follow us



Join the conversation at #ByronWF2020

SUPPORT US

Donate to our Festival Fund


The exchange of stories and ideas sustains us in challenging times. Now more than ever we are relying on your support to help us continue celebrating Australian stories and literature, enhancing the skills of local writers, and nurturing the next generation of readers and writers. As a not-for-profit organisation run with a small team of staff and volunteers, contributions of any size go a long way in enriching the creative culture of our community. Amounts over $2 are tax deductible. Thank you.


DONATE NOW

WITH THANKS

Funding Partners


Thank you to our funding partners for making this program possible.


https://byronwritersfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/NSW-Government.png
Proudly funded by the NSW Government
https://byronwritersfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/CA_Cultural-Fund-Logo_RGB_full-colour.png
< Back
  • Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions

Byron Writers Festival © 2024