Returning: Aust. Story, 4 Corners, Media Watch, Q & A, Foreign Correspondent

ABC’s slew of news and factual shows return in a week’s time on Monday February 7th and Tuesday February 8th.

The shows will mark Kerry O’Brien’s new hosting gig on Four Corners, and the return of Jonathan Holmes to Media Watch, after his extended leave during the second half of 2009.

February 7
8:00pm Australian Story
Australian Story returns in 2011 with stories that are ‘narrated’ by the subjects themselves. The program aims to present a varied and contrasting picture of contemporary Australia and Australians from many different perspectives and to contribute to the wider spectrum of coverage of issues and individuals. It seeks to make Australians, in their diversity and individuality, more understandable to other Australians, and explores how Australians lead their lives through ordinary and extraordinary events. These stories may have greater interest or topicality when they are the stories often the hidden stories of celebrated or infamous individuals, but Australian Story will also give voice to the ordinary individuals who have lived through more than ordinary success or setback.

8:30pm Four Corners
Four Corners is Australia’s premier television current affairs program. It has been part of the national story since August 1961, exposing scandals, triggering inquiries, firing debate, confronting taboos and interpreting fads, trends and sub cultures. Four Corners will repeat the following evening at approximately 11:35pm.

9:15pm Media Watch
Media Watch, presented by Jonathan Holmes, is Australia’s leading forum for media analysis and comment. The program turns the spotlight onto those who literally ‘make the news’: the reporters, editors, sub-editors, producers, camera operators, sound recordists and photographers who claim to deliver the world to our doorsteps, radios, computers and living rooms. We also keep an eye on those who try to manipulate the media: the PR consultants, spin-doctors, lobbyists and ‘news makers’ who set the agenda. The program is then repeated the following evening at approximately 12:15am.

9:35pm – Q&A
Hosted by one of the ABC’s most respected journalists, Tony Jones, Q&A puts punters, pollies and pundits together in the studio to thrash out the hot issues of the week. It’s about democracy in action – the audience gets to ask the questions. It doesn’t matter who you are, or where you’re from, everyone can have a go and take it up to our politicians and opinion makers. Q&A is live to air – it’s happening as viewers watch!

Tuesday February 8th
8:00pm Foreign Correspondent
Foreign Correspondent has been Australia’s leading international current affairs program since 1992. In 18 years reporters, producers, camera operators and sound recordists have travelled to more than 170 countries and produced more than 1,500 reports. The program draws on the ABC’s extensive network of international correspondents and a Sydney-based reporting and production team. Foreign Correspondent is designed to exploit the strengths of television – striking images and multi-track audio, a strong focus on storytelling, exotic locations and emotional appeal. Foreign Correspondent reports on major international issues but it also travels to places where reporters and camera operators are less welcome – investigating stories that governments don’t want told.