Talk back to the BBC and challenge the programme makers.
Every week Ros Atkins analyses one of the big issues in the news. But what is his programme? A bite size documentary or an extended news feature? Listeners quiz Ros on how his series is made. Plus we hear about the welcome return of the drama set in a market in Nigeria! Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon
We meet the man behind the music show This Is Africa. Listeners quiz DJ Edu about selecting songs and his motivation in promoting African musicians. Plus, we stick with the musical theme as we get your thoughts on a show where artists interview artists. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon
The COP26 climate conference in Scotland is well underway. Listeners tell us what they think of the BBC’s coverage so far - both complimentary and critical. And we look into the complex logistics of making sure the BBC’s correspondents are in the right place at the right time and that they get on air. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon
The Story of Aids recalls the early years of the HIV crisis, as told by the people who lived through it. We hear your comments and speak with the show’s producer about the sensitivities involved in making the series. Plus, a listener inspired by our recent interview with Lyse Doucet offers her feedback on the BBC’s reporting of Afghanistan. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon
The Proms are back, but what are the challenges of broadcasting classical music globally? We hear from the Proms producer. Plus, listeners give us their thoughts on series two of 30 Animals That Made Us Smarter, a show that bills itself as “amazing things humans have learnt from the animal kingdom”. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon
As the Olympics draw to a close, listeners tell us what they think of the BBC’s coverage. What’s it like broadcasting when there is no live crowd? The World Service’s sports editor answers. Plus, a listener wonders why a recent panel debate on Cuba failed to have any contributors from Cuba itself. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon
The Lazarus Heist tells the story of one of the most daring bank thefts ever attempted. We hear your thoughts and talk to the series editor. Plus, a day in the life of a BBC disinformation specialist. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon
I'm Not a Monster is the story of an American mother living in the heart of the Isis caliphate. We hear your thoughts and talk to the podcast's host. Plus a listener to The Fifth Floor asks why some interviews seem to come to an abrupt end. Presenter Rajan Datar Producer Howard Shannon
Is a disproportionate amount of time given over to stories from the US? One listener shares his views US focused programmes. Plus, Africa Eye specialises in reports from across the continent. But what makes the team tick? We go behind-the-scenes. And Comedians vs The News - we asked listeners to give the second series a second chance. They tell us whether producers have got it right this time! Presenter Rajan Datar Producer Howard Shannon
What exactly is The Climate Question, the new BBC World Service podcast and weekly programme, asking? We quiz its presenters how they handle the politics of this topic - and how rigorous the show is in presenting contrasting schools of thought? Plus, what has happened to The Why Factor? We find out. Presenter Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon
The immersive documentary: listeners tell us what they think of a genre without a presenter that adopts some of the techniques used in drama. Plus the BBC’s announced record Global Audiences. But how does this kind of data benefit you? Presented by Rajan Datar. Produced by Howard Shannon.
Live football is back on air, but for the most part, live spectators aren’t. We ask the editor of BBC World Service sport about the challenges in the wake of Covid-19. Is it better with or without fake crowd sounds? Plus, making art accessible for disabled artists on the Cultural Frontline. Presented by Rajan Datar. Produced by Howard Shannon.
Reporting the continuing global threat of coronavirus. We ask the BBC’s China correspondent Stephen McDonell how he goes about getting access to the people and places affected, and does he worry his reports might cause unnecessary panic? Plus, your reaction to news that World Update is soon to be old news. Presenter: Rajan Datar. Producer: Howard Shannon
The BBC World Service has merged all of its music shows into just one weekly show, Music Life. The commissioning editor responsible tells us why this decision was taken. Plus the ongoing story of how iPlayer Radio is being replaced by BBC Sounds. What’s the latest situation as regards international listeners? Presented by Rajan Datar Produced by Howard Shannon
How BBC Monitoring has played a key role in helping BBC news teams to learn what is happening on the ground on the Turkey-Syria border. Plus, listeners react to a BBC Africa Eye investigation into sexual harassment by lecturers at some of West Africa’s top universities. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon
An edition of Heart and Soul was about the ethics of having large families but was its highly personal presentation too one-sided? The programme’s producer answers your concerns. Plus, our digital doctor Anna Doble is here to solve your digital dilemmas. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon
The second series of '50 Things That Made The Modern Economy' has more programmes about game changing inventions, ideas and innovations - but is it fact or opinion? Plus might the BBC World Service consider publishing programme transcripts? Presented by Rajan Datar. Produced by Howard Shannon.
This week we are devoting the whole programme to your thoughts about how the BBC World Service reports on science. Do shows such as Discovery, Science In Action, Health Check, Click and Crowd Science do it for you? And how might science coverage change in the future? The BBC’s science programmes editor Deborah Cohen joins us in the studio. Presented by Rajan Datar. Produced by Howard Shannon.
This week we’re giving over the whole programme to the topic of podcasts. Have they added a new dimension to the way you listen to the BBC World Service? Or do you not understand what’s different about them? And do those without a computer or a smartphone with internet access feel left out? We have the BBC’s podcast commissioning editor for World Service English, Jon Manel, here to answer your queries. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon
The Indian general election is the biggest democratic poll ever held in the world, and in response, the BBC in India has launched its most comprehensive election analysis ever. Listeners want to know how the World Service is battling the threat of fake news. Plus, whatever happened to the Fifth Floor’s Fifi Haroon? Presented by Rajan Datar. Produced by Howard Shannon, Whistledown Productions
The documentary Not#MeToo, I'm French investigated the evidence and specific roots of sexism in France. But is that country the worst example in the world? Listeners make their point, and the show’s presenter answers. Plus, is one’s listener’s dissatisfaction with BBC Sounds and the lack of an online pop-out player about to be remedied? Presented by Rajan Datar Produced by Howard Shannon, Whistledown Productions
