Over to You
Targeting journalists for just doing their job
Turkey has jailed and expelled a number of journalists, including BBC correspondent Mark Lowen. Listeners give us their reactions. And, as Hard Talk ends, a new interview format show starts. Some of you remain unhappy about the loss of one of your favourite shows. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon. A Whistledown production for BBC World Service
5 apr 2025 - 08 min 58 s
The legal case against rap singer Sean Combs
The BBC’s series Diddy on Trial sets out to investigate the rumours, confront the theories, and give listeners the answers they need about the legal case against the rap singer Sean Combs. He denies all the charges. We speak with the show’s presenter about the challenges of making this series and especially the hazard of tip-toeing through a legal minefield. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service
29 mar 2025 - 10 min 11 s
The sound of a new BBC App launching
We hear listeners’ reactions to the news that in the near future BBC Sounds is to end for international online listeners, and a new BBC app is to launch in its place. We put your points and questions to the BBC and, with the help of a media expert, investigate what this might all mean for you. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon. A Whistledown production for the BBC
22 mar 2025 - 10 min 11 s
Why it’s more than radio with pictures on YouTube
What in the World is now almost into its fourth month of doing visualisations for its YouTube channel, part of a BBC World Service podcast pilot. We meet the team who are bringing the show to your screens and also hear listeners’ feedback. Will it, they wonder, attract a younger audience? Plus, a listener asks why does the World Service repeat programmes and content over and over again? We get them an answer! Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown Production for the BBC World Service
15 mar 2025 - 10 min 06 s
Behind-the-scenes of Ukrainecast and Global Jigsaw
Events surrounding Russia’s war in Ukraine have been moving fast. But what is it like trying to keep up to date if you produce a weekly programme or podcast? Plus, listeners share their views on the BBC’s reporting. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service
8 mar 2025 - 08 min 58 s
The challenges of change at the top of US politics
In a special edition, Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th US president was comprehensively covered by all BBC World Service news shows, including a special edition of the Global News Podcast. But what challenges do the Trump presidency present for journalists, including the BBC’s news teams? We’re joined by a senior news editor and we hear listeners’ feedback. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon. A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service
1 feb 2025 - 11 min 31 s
Our listeners’ panel looks ahead to 2025
For our first show of the new year, four listeners from Brazil, the US, the UK and Italy set the agenda for what they would like from the BBC World Service in the coming year. Do they want different types of programmes, does news fatigue affect them, and how much do they feel the BBC World Service is still needed in 2025? Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service
4 ian 2025 - 11 min 31 s
Meeting the team who produced America Decides
It was billed as too close to call right up to the night itself, but in the end the US presidential election saw a clear victory for the Republicans. We hear listeners' views on World Service coverage of the vote, and are joined in the studio by the team behind the election night show America Decides. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon. A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service
16 noi 2024 - 08 min 59 s
Listener bugbears on truncating news interviews
We hear listeners’ bugbears about one aspect of news programmes that really annoys them: why do live interviewees sometimes get abruptly cut short by the interviewer? We go behind the scenes to reveal the pressures of live news production with one of the BBC’s news editors, Karen Martin. Plus, a listener tells us what he likes so much about his favourite programme: Weekend. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon. A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service
13 apr 2024 - 09 min 12 s
How has Stumped evolved over its 10-year innings?
Stumped is a weekly digest of news, features and debate from the world of cricket - but are you bowled over by it? We hear your comments and are joined by one of its hosts, Alison Mitchell. Plus, a listener asks why, when listening online, the volume level changes so much? Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon. A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service
23 mar 2024 - 09 min 40 s