The Back Cover

07/09/2025

Smoke curled skyward from the sacred fire at Camp Sovereignty on Saturday as thousands gathered for a “Sovereign Day Out” in Melbourne’s Kings Domain.

Days after a violent attack on the site shocked the nation, the mood was transformed into one of healing, resilience and unity.

Families, activists, and allies came together under spring sunshine to share food, music, and culture. The stage featured performances from The Terrys, Miss Kaninna, Becca Hatch, Kee’ahn, Birdz, Mo’Ju, Kian, Dallas Woods and more, guided by MCs Shiralee Hood, Hau Latukefu and Sosefina Fuamoli.

Among the crowd were high-profile supporters including Senator Lidia Thorpe and rapper Baker Boy, standing alongside community members in solidarity with the camp’s message: sovereignty never ceded.

READ THE FULL STORY AT BACKCOVERNEWS.COM ✨

07/09/2025

EXCLUSIVE: Camp Sovereignty Rises After Neo-Nazi Attack — Baker Boy and Artists Join Day of Healing

Smoke curled skyward from the sacred fire at Camp Sovereignty...

31/08/2025

Words by ✍️

Australia’s streets turned into battlegrounds on Sunday as far-right agitators, fringe conspiracy theorists and self-styled “patriots” rallied under the banner of March for Australia.

In Melbourne, the city’s heart was choked by a sea of Australian flags and anti-immigration placards, the rally led by extremists including a neo-Nazi who proudly boasted “his men” had marshalled the march. “If we do not stop immigration, then our death is certain,” declared Thomas Sewell, one of the most notorious figures of Australia’s far-right fringe.

The gathering was no grassroots demonstration but a toxic convergence of hate: promoted online by neo-Nazis, fuelled by pandemic anti-lockdown personalities and fringe groups searching for a megaphone.

While the federal government denounced the events as “un-Australian,” the rallies still drew political figures including Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts of One Nation in Canberra, and Bob Katter in Townsville.
Their presence gave legitimacy to movements described by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke as “less Australian than anything I can imagine.”

READ THE FULL STORY AT BACKCOVERNEWS.COM ✨

31/08/2025

EXCLUSIVE: Neo-Nazis, Politicians and an Immigrant Survivor Star: the Spectacle of Australia’s Anti-Immigration Rallies

Australia’s streets turned into battlegrounds on Sunday as far-right agitators,...

24/08/2025

Tens of thousands join Australia’s biggest pro-Palestine rallies after UN declares Gaza famine

Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters have filled the streets...

10/08/2025

A startling analysis has uncovered a sharp drop in school attendance by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students as they transition from primary to high school, highlighting a critical failure in Australia’s educational policy that demands urgent reform.

Led by University of Queensland (UQ) researchers, the study shows that First Nations students, particularly in remote areas, face a significant “attendance cliff” when moving into secondary school.

A startling analysis has uncovered a sharp drop in school...

17/07/2025

Superstar comedian and Hollywood mogul Kevin Hart is heading back Down Under later this year, announcing a whirlwind three-city Australian tour for his latest stand-up show, Acting My Age.

Kicking off in Perth on September 23rd at RAC Arena, Hart will then hit Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on September 25th, before wrapping up in Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on September 26.

The Acting My Age tour marks Hart’s ninth major comedy tour, and promises a more intimate vibe than his previous sell-out arena shows.

“’Acting my Age’ is my ninth tour and I wanted to change things up by creating a more intimate environment,” Hart said. “This hour is about connecting with the audience and feeding off the crowd’s energy and laughter.”

Read the full story at BACKCOVERNEWS.COM ✨

16/07/2025

Last week, we officially kicked off The Back Cover Youth Creatives Training Hub!

Our very first workshop, Introduction to Journalism, was a powerful start — presented by Mibenge Nsenduluka and the incredible Billy Freeman.

We explored how traditional media is evolving, the role of AI in shaping the future of journalism, and the dangers of the fake news epidemic.

We also broke down the anatomy of a news story — from crafting a strong lead, understanding the nut graph, to building a compelling ending and headline that makes your story sing.

A big thank you to our wonderful participants for showing up with such curiosity and energy — we loved having you in the room!

Next up: Journalism & Content Creation featuring Uncle Charles Pakana on July 25th — trust me, you won’t want to miss it!📣 This program is proudly supported by the Victorian Government.Sign up today at BACKCOVERMEDIA.COM

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13/07/2025

Words by

Usher fans are still in the dark after the R&B superstar suddenly pulled the plug on his highly anticipated Australian tour—without offering a clear reason why.

The multi-platinum Texan artist, real name Usher Raymond IV, was set to perform 12 arena shows across Melbourne and Sydney this November and December as part of his Past Present Future World Tour.

But on July 4, the entire run was abruptly cancelled, with little more than a vague statement and a refund notice from Ticketek.

Now, emerging speculation suggests the cancellation may have had less to do with vague “unforeseen circumstances” and more to do with…

Read the full story at BACKCOVERNEWS.COM ✨

25/06/2025

Journalist Antoinette Lattouf has won her unfair dismissal case against the ABC after the Federal Court ruled she was unlawfully removed from her role as a fill-in host on ABC Radio Sydney’s Mornings program in December 2023.

Lattouf was hired for a five-day casual stint but was told not to come in for the last two days of her contract.

The decision followed her sharing a post on social media from Human Rights Watch about the Israel-Gaza conflict. Lattouf argued that her dismissal was a result of her political views, following a wave of complaints from pro-Israel supporters.

The ABC denied any wrongdoing, claiming her removal wasn’t politically motivated, but the court disagreed.

On Wednesday morning, Justice Darryl Rangiah ruled that the ABC had breached the Fair Work Act, awarding Lattouf $70,000 in compensation for emotional distress and reputational damage.

READ THE FULL STORY AT BACKCOVERNEWS.COM ✨

15/06/2025

Warning: This article contains the names and details of deceased Aboriginal people.

The lawns outside the Alice Springs courthouse have once again become a sacred ground for mourning.

Smoke from smouldering eucalyptus leaves curls into the dry desert air as Warlpiri elders stand barefoot in grief. Beside them, signs bearing a single name: Kumanjayi White.

The 24-year-old Aboriginal man with disabilities died last month after being restrained by Northern Territory police inside a supermarket. His family says he was hungry.

Instead of receiving care, he was pinned down by multiple officers—one reportedly placing a knee to the back of his neck. He became unresponsive and died shortly afterwards.

Warning: This article contains the names and details of deceased...

10/06/2025

🎤 MEET THE MENTORS behind The Back Cover Youth Creatives Training Hub

This year’s FREE workshop series features an incredible lineup of media professionals dedicated to empowering the next generation of storytellers.

✨ Mibengé Nsenduluka – Journalist and founder of The Back Cover

✨ Uncle Charles Pakana – Veteran Aboriginal journalist and community broadcaster; founder of Victorian Aboriginal News

✨ Billy Freeman – Senior sub-editor with 25+ years in top Australian newsrooms

✨ Frederick McHenry – Videographer and creative director with global brand experience

✨ Arjun Raju – Digital strategist and founder of Orange Hawk Media

Whether you’re into journalism, podcasting, videography or digital content, these mentors bring the real-world insights to help you grow.

📍 In-person (Melbourne)
🗓️ 11 July – 3 October 2025
💸 100% FREE | Supported by the Victorian Government
✈️ Travel support for regional youth
🎓 Certificate of completion provided
📲 Register now – spots are limited! Visit Backcovermedia.com