The Feed: Sept 28 – Oct 1

This week The Feed explores the gun control debate in Australia; investigates if your postcode really determines your future; sheds some light on dark tourism and Marc Fennell sits down with journalist-turned-drug campaigner Johann Hari.

There are also no more Friday editions this year due to A-League coverage.

Gun Control
In 1996, John Howard introduced the National Firearms Agreement to try and ensure that the tragedy of Port Arthur could never happen again. Fast forward 19 years and gun control groups are concerned that the agreement is slowly chipped away at by the pro-gun lobby. Michelle Fernando has inadvertently become a gun control advocate after a 2008 Firearms Act amendment allowed her mentally ill sister to obtain a pistol and kill her father. Michelle believes that “politicians are pandering to a minority group whose sole function is to promote shooting in the community”.

Does Your Postcode Determine Your Future?
Let’s face it, growing up is a bi**h. Being a teenager is probably the hardest time of your life – when everything is changing and you’re struggling to figure it all out. We all remember what that’s like to be angry, excited and worried about the future, all in one confusing hormonal spike. But there are underlying factors such as postcode, family and opportunity that make Australian teenagers both the same, and different. The Feed presents their stories, told in their own words.

The Drug Crusader
Johann Hari has gone from disgraced journalist to fervent campaigner to end the war on drugs and rethink our approach to substance abuse. He’s travelled the world and spent time with junkies and cartel barons. He’s compelling and passionate but does his analysis stack up to reality? Marc Fennell sits down with Johann to find out.

Dark Tourism
Afghanistan. Somalia. Iran. These aren’t places many of us expect to receive postcards from, but travel to war zones and political hotspots is on the rise, with growing numbers of tourists holidaying in places flagged red on DFAT’s travel advisory lists. On the face of it, so-called “dark tourism” might seem like irresponsible, exploitative thrill–seeking – but the people who go to these areas say the danger is overstated and in any case, not part of the appeal. For them, it’s not “dark tourism” at all – it’s just travel to beautiful, misunderstood parts of the world.

7:30pm Monday – Thursday on SBS 2.