How not to cover a radioactive incident

In 2003, fire trucks, ambulances and hazmat crews descend on Merewether High School in Newcastle after reports of a radioactive incident. No one is speaking to the media — except a 14-year-old student who’s just been given a mobile phone. Matt Bevan is live on the scene. Recorded live at Newcastle Writers Festival, Matt revisits a mystery from his past: the bizarre series of events that led to his first ever live radio cross. Follow If You're Listening on the ABC Listen app . Check out our series on YouTube:

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How not to cover a radioactive incident is an episode from Australia, If You're Listening by Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

This episode is 0:20:00 long.

This episode was published on Apr 27, 2026.

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