Episodes
| Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
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| 20240518 | 20240519 (WS) | ||
| 20240907 | 20240908 (WS) | ||
| 20241107 | 20241108 (WS) |  Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin | |
| 20241114 | 20241115 (WS) | Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin | |
| Big Tech: Too Big To Hide From? | 20240810 | 20240811 (WS) | We find out how Big Tech companies may know more about you - than you do. Host Claire Graham talks to the BBC's cyber correspondent for the BBC World Service Joe Tidy, about how Big Tech companies not only track what you do online – but what your friends do – and what your friends of friends do – to then target you through marketing. Billions of people access Big Tech companies on a daily basis – to interact on social media sites – but at what cost – your privacy? Produced by Cathy Young for the BBC World Service. We find out how Big Tech companies may know more about you - than you do. Host Claire Graham talks to the BBC's cyber correspondent for the BBC World Service Joe Tidy. Billions of users access Big Tech companies on a daily basis – accessing the best social media sites and software – but at what cost – your privacy? |
| Global Arms Trade | 20240803 | 20240804 (WS) | Which countries supply weapons and which countries buy them? We learn how uncertainty, tension and conflict are leading to increasing military spend across the world. Host Claire Graham talks to the BBC's defence correspondent Jonathan Beale, about the big industry players and their geopolitical ties, as well as the ethical challenges which lie ahead with advances in technology. Produced by Cathy Young for the BBC World Service. Which countries supply weapons and which countries buy them? We learn how uncertainty and conflict are leading to increasing military spend across the world. |
| Goodbye To The International Space Station | 20240504 | 20240505 (WS) | It was a triumph of international collaboration - a laboratory for hundreds of astronauts - but was the 120 billion dollar investment worth it? Considered as one of humanity's greatest achievements, it was built by the USA, Russia, Canada, Europe and Japan. Since it launched into space in 1998, over 270 astronauts from around the world have conducted research in the orbiting laboratory, but it is due to be retired in 2030. So how significant has it been and what will replace it? Host Claire Graham talks to the BBC's Science Correspondent Pallab Ghosh. We also examine the economic opportunities offered by the moon and ask if China is the emerging space power. |
| Haiti's Gang Crisis | 20230708 | 20231126 (WS) 20231127 (WS) | Since Haiti's devastating earthquake in 2010, the country has been in turmoil. Some 200 gangs have taken control in the absence of a functioning state, with murder, kidnapping and rape becoming commonplace. President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in 2021 and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight to the violence. Harold Isaac, a Port-au-Prince based journalist, explains how Haiti has descended to this point, and if there's any hope of a more stable future for the country. Presenter: Claire Graham Producer: Owen McFadden How competing gangs are carving up Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince How competing gangs are carving up Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince. |
| How Does The New York Stock Exchange Work? | 20240416 | 20240421 (WS) | The New York Stock Exchange is the largest in the world, valued today at over $25 trillion - but does it spread wealth or increase inequality? And what market forces are at play? Claire Graham asks the BBC's North America business correspondent Erin Delmore the big questions. We also find out what stock market indexes like the Dow Jones actually measure, and which stocks are dubbed the ‘Magnificent Seven'. Valued at over $25 trillion, does it spread wealth or increase inequality? The New York Stock Exchange is the largest in the world, valued today at over $25 trillion - but does it spread wealth or increase inequality? Erin Delmore explains how it works. |
| How Does The New York Stock Exchange Work? | 20240420 | 20240421 (WS) | The New York Stock Exchange is the largest in the world, valued today at over $25 trillion - but does it spread wealth or increase inequality? And what market forces are at play? Claire Graham asks the BBC's North America business correspondent Erin Delmore the big questions. We also find out what stock market indexes like the Dow Jones actually measure, and which stocks are dubbed the ‘Magnificent Seven'. Valued at over $25 trillion, does it spread wealth or increase inequality? The New York Stock Exchange is the largest in the world, valued today at over $25 trillion - but does it spread wealth or increase inequality? Erin Delmore explains how it works. |
| How Does The World Health Organization Work? | 20231216 | 20231217 (WS) 20231218 (WS) 20240519 (WS) | Many global health experts believe we should brace ourselves for more epidemics and pandemics in the future. But deadly diseases are not exactly new. Since 1948, the World Health Organization's aim has been 'the attainment by all people of the highest possible level of health'. Many would say its greatest achievement has been the eradication of smallpox; in more recent years, some were critical of its response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Tulip Mazumdar, the global health correspondent for BBC News, speaks to Claire Graham about the organisation's successes, failures and future. Tulip Mazumdar looks at the successes and failures of the WHO Tulip Mazumdar, the global health correspondent for BBC News, speaks to Claire Graham about the World Health Organisation's successes, failures and future. |
| Mindu Hornick: Interview with an Auschwitz survivor | 20250127 | 
"We thought we had entered hell." These are the recollections of Auschwitz survivor Mindu Hornick. In an interview with the BBC's Tim Franks, she recalls, in vivid detail, the last memory of her mother who was taken to the gas chamber; the Yiddish-speaking prison worker who saved her life; the terror of selection by Nazi doctor Josef Mengele; and the desperation of hunger, and rations laced with sawdust and bromide.
Tim Franks speaks to Mindu Hornick, who survived the Nazis' largest concentration camp Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin To mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, we hear from Mindu Hornick, who was 13 when she and her family arrived at the concentration camp in 1939.
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| Nuclear Weapons, Which Countries Have Them? | 20240427 | 20240428 (WS) | We look at the nuclear powers and those who want to join their club. Are nuclear weapons a deterrent or a strategic show of strength? We examine what treaties are in place to control the use of nuclear weapons and how they work in practice. Are there enough checks and balances to stop escalation? Claire Graham talks to the BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner. |
| Nuclear Weapons: Can We Control Them? | 20240427 | 20240428 (WS) | Are nuclear weapons a deterrent or a strategic show of strength? Claire Graham talks to the BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner about the world's nuclear powers, and those who want to join their club. They also examine what treaties are in place to control nuclear arsenals, and how these agreements work in practice. Are there enough checks and balances to stop escalation? Frank Gardner looks at the world's nuclear powers, and those who want to join them Are nuclear weapons a deterrent or a strategic show of strength? Claire Graham talks to the BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner about how these arsenals are controlled. |
| The Eu | 20230729 | 20231119 (WS) 20231120 (WS) | With its foundations in the ashes of World War II, the European Union was initially formed to avoid further wars and remove trade barriers. It grew from a six-nation club as the ECC in 1957, to today's 27 members that covers much of the continent and has evolved to tackle contemporary issues such as mass migration, a global pandemic and the war in Ukraine. In recent years, it survived a wave of Euroscepticism that led to Britain leaving (Brexit), but other member states have looked to reform from within, preferring to stay part of the larger bloc during uncertain times. Katya Adler, the BBC's Europe Editor, shares insights into the EU from its foundation to its contemporary challenges. How the European Union evolved from a six-nation club to a major global player Katya Adler, the BBC's Europe Editor, explains how the European Union evolved from a six-nation club to a major global player. |
| The Explanation | 20240824 | 20240825 (WS) | |
| The Explanation | 20240831 | 20240901 (WS) | |
| The Global Arms Trade | 20240803 | 20240804 (WS) | Which countries supply weapons and which countries buy them? We learn how uncertainty, tension and conflict are leading to increasing military spend across the world. Host Claire Graham talks to the BBC's defence correspondent Jonathan Beale, about the big industry players and their geopolitical ties. Produced by Cathy Young for the BBC World Service. Which countries supply weapons and which countries buy them? We learn how uncertainty and conflict are leading to increasing military spend across the world. |
| The Media Show | 20240411 | A global, topical weekly show that lifts the hood on the entertainment and news business. The Media Show explores the companies and personalities who command our attention, and how our perception of the world is shaped by their actions. From the streaming giants who entertain us, to the news outlets and social media platforms that inform and enrage us, The Media Show explains how the industry really works. | |
| The Media Show | 20240418 | A global, topical weekly show that lifts the hood on the entertainment and news business. The Media Show explores the companies and personalities who command our attention, and how our perception of the world is shaped by their actions. From the streaming giants who entertain us, to the news outlets and social media platforms that inform and enrage us, The Media Show explains how the industry really works. | |
| The Media Show | 20240425 | A global, topical weekly show that lifts the hood on the entertainment and news business. The Media Show explores the companies and personalities who command our attention, and how our perception of the world is shaped by their actions. From the streaming giants who entertain us, to the news outlets and social media platforms that inform and enrage us, The Media Show explains how the industry really works. | |
| The Media Show | 20240502 | ||
| The Media Show | 20240509 | ||
| The Media Show | 20240516 | ||
| The Media Show | 20240523 | ||
| The Media Show | 20240530 | ||
| The Media Show | 20240606 | ||
| The Media Show | 20240613 | ||
| The Media Show | 20240620 | ||
| The Media Show | 20240627 | ||
| The Media Show | 20240704 | ||
| The Media Show | 20240711 | ||
| The Media Show | 20240718 | ||
| The Media Show | 20240725 | ||
| The Media Show | 20240801 | ||
| The Media Show | 20240808 | ||
| The Media Show | 20240815 | ||
| The Media Show | 20240822 | ||
| The Media Show | 20240829 | ||
| The Media Show | 20240905 | ||
| The Media Show | 20240912 | Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin | |
| The Media Show | 20240919 | Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin | |
| The Media Show | 20240926 | Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin | |
| The Media Show | 20241010 | Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin | |
| The Media Show | 20241017 | Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin | |
| The Media Show | 20241024 | Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin | |
| The Media Show | 20241128 | 20241129 (WS) |
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| The Media Show | 20241205 | 20241206 (WS) |
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| The Media Show | 20241212 | 20241213 (WS) | Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin |
| The Media Show | 20241219 | 20241220 (WS) | Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin |
| The Media Show | 20241226 | 20241227 (WS) |  Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin |
| The Media Show | 20250109 | 20250110 (WS) | Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin |
| The Media Show | 20250116 | 20250117 (WS) | Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin |
| The Media Show | 20250123 | 20250124 (WS) | Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin |
| The Media Show | 20250206 | 20250207 (WS) | Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin |
| The Media Show | 20250213 | 20250214 (WS) | Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin |
| The Media Show | 20250220 | Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin | |
| The Media Show | 20250220 | 20250221 (WS) | Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin |
| The Media Show | 20250227 | Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin | |
| The Media Show | 20250227 | 20250228 (WS) | Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin |
| The Media Show | 20250306 | Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin | |
| The Media Show | 20250306 | 20250307 (WS) | Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin |
| The Media Show - China's Ai Rise | 20250130 | 20250131 (WS) | Chinese technology is making headlines with the rise of DeepSeek, an AI chatbot that has surged to the top of US app downloads. Its development cost is reportedly lower than Western alternatives, and its open-source nature raises both innovation and security concerns. Shirin Ghaffary, AI reporter at Bloomberg, Ciaran Martin, former Head of Cybersecurity at GCHQ, and Kathrin Hille, FT Greater China correspondent, discuss the impact. The Excel World Championships bring spreadsheets into the realm of competitive gaming. Hosted in Las Vegas, the event sees contestants solving complex data challenges in front of a live audience. Robert McMillan, reporter at The Wall Street Journal, describes the atmosphere of the event and assesses whether Excel really has evolved from office tool to esport. Presenters: Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai DeepSeek shakes up tech, raising security and influence concerns in the West Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin DeepSeek shakes up tech, raising security and influence concerns in the West. Also on the show, how the Excel World Championships turn spreadsheets into competitive gaming.
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| The Media Show, Tv's Hidden Dilemma | 20240822 | To many, we're living through a golden age of TV. But behind the rich offerings for consumers lie several growing structural issues, from a market oversupplied by streamers desperate for subscriptions, to the consequences of the US actors and writers strike, to a downturn in the advertising spend that powers the UK industry. Ros talks to Broadcast Editor Chris Curtis; Stephen Lambert, Chief Executive at Studio Lambert, Andy Harries, CEO of Left Bank Pictures and Claire Lundberg, founder of CTL Scouting; at the Edinburgh International TV Festival. And we talk to Nayeema Raza from Semafor at the Democratic National Convention where Kamala Harris is about to accept her party's nomination for President - all at a time when the candidate is refusing to do media interviews. Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai The makers of global hits on a difficult year for TV Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin | |
| The Media Show: Ballots, Bias And Big Tech | 20241031 | 20241101 (WS) | Ros Atkins is in Washington DC and asks what what the upcoming election tells us about the role the media plays in modern America. The Washington Post finds itself at the heart of a debate on media impartiality after a reported loss of thousands of subscribers following its decision not to endorse a candidate. NPR's media correspondent, David Folkenflik, joins us to unpack the unfolding crisis. With tech billionaires wielding significant influence, this election has seen figures like Elon Musk openly backing Donald Trump. Critics argue that big tech's sway over public discourse has become too potent. Jennifer Huddleston, a senior fellow in technology policy at the Cato Institute, and Marietje Schaake, a former MEP now with Stanford's Cyber Policy Center, debate the issues. And for over 170 years, the Associated Press has been at the forefront of election coverage, calling winners across the nation. Anna Johnson, AP's Washington bureau chief, explains how it does what might be 'the single largest act of journalism in the world'. Presenter:: Ros Atkins Ros Atkins is in Washington DC and asks what role the media is playing in the election Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin Ros Atkins is in Washington DC and asks what the upcoming election tells us about the role the media plays in modern America. |
| The Media Show: BBC Presenter Defection | 20241128 | 20241129 (WS) | Mishal Husain, one of the most recognisable voices on the BBC, is leaving after 26 years to join Bloomberg. Known for presenting Today and high-profile TV bulletins, her departure marks a turning point for the BBC, which is navigating budget cuts and shifting priorities. Alex Farber, media correspondent for The Times, explores the story. The longstanding feud between rappers Drake and Kendrick Lamar has entered the courtroom. Drake alleges that Universal Music manipulated streaming platforms to inflate Kendrick's diss track Not Like Us – allegations the record label denies. Mark Savage, music correspondent for BBC News, explains the legal filing and what it reveals about the industry. Christmas advertising has become a hallmark of British culture. Franki Goodwin, Chief Creativity Officer at Saatchi & Saatchi, and Maisie McCabe, UK editor of Campaign, discuss the creative and economic strategies behind festive ads. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai Mishal Husain leaves the BBC after 26 years to join Bloomberg Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin Mishal Husain departs BBC for Bloomberg; Drake sues Universal over Kendrick Lamar's diss track; and why Christmas is “the Superbowl for the British advertising industry”
The longstanding feud between rappers Drake and Kendrick Lamar has entered the courtroom. Drake alleges that Universal Music manipulated streaming platforms to inflate Kendrick's diss track Not Like Us – allegations the record label denies. Mark Savage, music correspondent for BBC News, explains the legal filing and what it reveals about the industry. Christmas advertising has become a hallmark of British culture. Franki Goodwin, Chief Creativity Officer at Saatchi & Saatchi, and Maisie McCabe, UK editor of Campaign, discuss the creative and economic strategies behind festive ads. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai Mishal Husain leaves the BBC after 26 years to join Bloomberg Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin Mishal Husain departs BBC for Bloomberg; Drake sues Universal over Kendrick Lamar's diss track; and why Christmas is “the Superbowl for the British advertising industry” |
| The Media Show: Behind The Information Iron Curtain | 20240502 | Across large parts of the globe, access to impartial news reporting and information has never been more difficult, creating an information iron curtain. To mark World Press Freedom Day, Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall present a special live event from the BBC Radio Theatre, which considers the impact of censorship and technological controls in Russia, Iran and China; how ingrained state disinformation has become and how it has distorted their citizens' perception of the world. Our panel also looks at attempts to circumvent internet blocking and state restrictions on free media, from the use of VPNs by those on the inside, to the innovative tactics adopted by outsiders who are trying to deliver truthful news to an often indoctrinated audience. How freedom of the press no longer exists in many parts of the world To mark World Press Freedom Day, a live event from the BBC Radio Theatre explores how billions of people around the globe have restricted access to impartial news reporting | |
| The Media Show: Building Trump's Social Media App | 20240411 | Donald Trump's social media platform, Truth Social, continues to make headlines with its public listing. Billy Boozer, its former Chief Product Officer, reveals what it was like setting up the company with Trump. We're also joined by Prof Joshua Tucker and Prof Yini Zhang who has investigated how Trump has used Truth Social and X to drive news media attention. The Executive Chairman of the Sky News Group, David Rhodes shares his plans for Sky News – and on his years as a senior TV news exec in New York. Elon Musk has predicted that AI will surpass human intelligence within a year. OpenAI and Meta have also said that they're on the brink of releasing new AI models that will be capable of reason and planning. What will be the impact of these advanced AI models on the news media? We're joined by Madhumita Murgia, the AI Editor at the Financial Times, and author of a new book, Code Dependent, to discuss. Billy Boozer tells the story behind the creation of Truth Social | |
| The Media Show: Can Memes Win The Us Election? | 20240725 | Do memes hold the key to the White House? Supporters of Kamala Harris hope so. Already online communities have sprung up to boost her campaign and they're chopping up her speeches and appearances to flood the internet with viral clips. Their aim is to swing the youth vote in Harris' favour and get other disengaged voters to turn out on election day. Will it work? Also on the show, as the Olympics begin in Paris, how a sports journalist prepares for a gruelling 19 days of events. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Why supporters of Kamala Harris believe the battle to win is online Do memes hold the key to the White House? Supporters of Kamala Harris believe viral clips can swing the youth vote. Also a sports journalist has been limbering up for the Olympics | |
| The Media Show: Cnn's Syria Report Controversy | 20241219 | 20241220 (WS) | A report by CNN from inside a Syrian prison has become a flashpoint for media scrutiny after the featured prisoner, initially presented as a victim, was identified as a former member of Assad's Air Force Intelligence Directorate. David Folkenflik, Media Correspondent for NPR, examines the ethical dilemmas and journalistic standards in such high-stakes reporting. ABC News reached a $15m settlement with Donald Trump over a defamation claim stemming from false statements made by one of its star presenters. Katie Fallow, Deputy Litigation Director at the Knight First Amendment Institute, explores the legal complexities of defamation cases involving public figures and the implications for media accountability in a polarised landscape. The Map Men, winners of TikTok's UK and Ireland video of the year, have turned their passion for maps into viral success. Jay Foreman, one half of the duo, discusses their creative process, the balance between humour and education in their work, and how their unique take on cartography resonates with audiences across platforms. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Lucy Wai Assistant Producer: Martha Owen CNN faces backlash over Syrian prisoner misidentification Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin CNN faces scrutiny for misidentifying a Syrian prisoner in a viral report. Trump secures $15m in a defamation settlement with ABC News. The Map Men discuss their TikTok success |
| The Media Show: Fear, Threats And Intimidation | 20240404 | Have US diplomats been targeted by Russian sonic weaponry? Unexplained symptoms such as dizziness reported by personnel working around the globe have been dubbed 'Havana Syndrome'. Now a joint report between The Insider, Der Spiegel and CBS's 60 Minutes, alleges it's the result of their brains being targeted by 'directed energy' weapons operated by a secretive Russian military unit. The Media Show meets one of the journalists involved in the story. Moscow has denied the accusations. US officials have previously said it was unlikely a foreign power was to blame. British counter terrorism officers are investigating the stabbing last Friday of an Iranian TV host outside his home in London. Iran International presenter Pouria Zeraati was hospitalised, before being discharged and moving to a safe place under the supervision of the Metropolitan Police. The channel says it provides independent coverage of events in Iran and that it has faced a 'significant escalation in state-backed threats'. Iran's charge d'affaires in the UK said 'we deny any link' to the latest incident. And as Gmail celebrates its 20th anniversary, how useful is email today as a form of communication? Or has it been overtaken by messaging apps like WhatsApp? Have US diplomats been targeted by Russian sonic weaponry? British counter terrorism officers investigate the stabbing of an Iranian TV host outside his London home. | |
| The Media Show: How Podcasts Took Over The World | 20240620 | In the space of 20 years, podcasting has gone from hobby to big business. What's the secret of success for the best in the industry? Also on the show, why there's trouble at the top of The Washington Post, and new research that shows more and more people are avoiding the news. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Guests: Lewis Goodall, Co-host, The News Agents; Tony Pastor, Co-Founder, Goalhanger Podcasts; Nick Hilton, Co-founder, Podot; Vivian Schiller, Executive Director, Aspen Digital In 20 years, podcasting has gone from hobby to big business. What's the secret of success for the best in the industry? Also, why there's trouble at the top of The Washington Post | |
| The Media Show: How Taylor Swift Conquered The Media | 20240418 | Taylor Swift is a media phenomenon. News outlets now have dedicated “Swift Correspondents ?, Disney paid a record sum to stream her Eras tour, and she has a level of control over her music that other artists just don't. We speak to two journalists who have the job of reporting on “Swiftonomics ? ? Also in the programme, a development in Hugh Grant's legal fight with one of Rupert Murdoch's newspaper groups. The actor accused The Sun of bugging his car and burgling his flat. Now he says he's settled the allegations – which have been denied - for “an enormous sum ?. And how to report the polarising topic of gender identity. In the UK a review has been published into what care children and young people who were questioning their gender were getting from health services. It makes recommendations for clinicians – but what lessons are there for journalists who want to report on the issue? Presenter: Katie Razzall Guests: Laura Snapes, Deputy Music Editor, The Guardian; Augusta Saraiva, Economics Reporter, Bloomberg; Jake Kanter, Investigations Editor, Deadline; Hannah Barnes, Associate Editor, New Statesman; Rebecca Coombes, Head of Journalism, The BMJ A lesson in Swiftonomics from the journalists who report on the pop phenomenon A lesson in “Swiftonomics ? from the journalists who report on the pop phenomenon. Hugh Grant settles his legal fight with Murdoch. | |
| The Media Show: How To Interview A Prime Minister | 20240613 | The art of interviewing political leaders with a journalist who recently interviewed Rishi Sunak. Also in the programme, as the alleged subject of the Netflix drama Baby Reindeer sues the streamer for defamation, negligence and privacy violations, we weigh the legal arguments. And the future of reality TV as YouTube stars the Sidemen break records for their new show. Presenter: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins We speak to a journalist who sat down with Rishi Sunak As the UK general election heats up, we discuss the art of interviewing political leaders. Plus the latest twist in the fallout from the hit Netflix series Baby Reindeer. | |
| The Media Show: Is This The Tiktok Election? | 20240530 | This week we look at Big Tech and its role in a crucial election year around the world. Baroness Martha Lane Fox, who sat on the board of X (formerly Twitter), assesses the platform's changing attitude towards political content. Also in the programme, as the general election campaign heats up in the UK, will TikTok help the candidates reach younger voters? Presenter: Katie Razzall Guests: Shona Ghosh, Senior Editor, Bloomberg; Martha Lane Fox, former board member, Twitter/X; Sean Topham, Co-Founder, Topham Guerin; Timandra Harkness, author of Technology is Not the Problem; Sam Jeffers, Executive Director, Who Targets Me Exploring the role of Big Tech in a crucial election year around the world We explore the role of Big Tech in a crucial election year around the world with a former board member of X, and ask if this is the UK's first ‘TikTok election'. | |
| The Media Show: Isis Prisons Museum | 20241017 | The ISIS Prisons Museum was established in 2017 when a group of journalists, filmmakers and activists entered deserted Islamic State prisons to collect evidence. We talk to two journalists behind the project as their archive launches to the public. Amer Matar is Director of the ISIS Prisons Museum, Robin Yassin-Kassab is its Chief English Editor, and Yvonne McDermott Rees is Professor of Law at Swansea University. Also on the show, the journalist who received an apology from Anne Hathaway. Kjersti Flaa reveals why the Hollywood actor got in touch after her “cringeworthy” interview went viral. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai The journalists documenting the atrocities of the so-called Islamic State Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin The journalists documenting the atrocities of the so-called Islamic State and why a “cringeworthy” interview with Anne Hathaway has gone viral. | |
| The Media Show: Jake Paul V Mike Tyson | 20241121 | 20241122 (WS) 20241124 (WS) | Friday's Netflix boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson was more than a fight; it was a media moment. Evan Shapiro, media commentator, sees it as evidence of influencer dominance over traditional media. Oliver Brown, Chief Sports Writer of The Daily Telegraph, discusses whether such events mark a shift from genuine sport to spectacle. Crosswords and puzzles are becoming an integral part of newspaper business strategies. Zoe Bell, Executive Producer of Games at The New York Times, explains how games like Wordle and Spelling Bee are driving engagement and subscriptions. Crossword setter John Halpern shares his journey into the world of puzzles and the creative process behind setting crosswords for major newspapers. Bluesky, a social media platform created by Jack Dorsey, is gaining traction as an alternative to Elon Musk's X. With a significant increase in users, Bluesky is being seen as a platform that offers a different experience from traditional social media. Katie Martin from the Financial Times discusses the platform's growth and its potential impact on the media landscape. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai What the Jake Paul v Mike Tyson boxing bout on Netflix tells us about the future of media Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin What the Jake Paul v Mike Tyson boxing bout on Netflix tells us about the future of media. Also, the enduring power of newspaper puzzles, and the rise of social platform Bluesky.
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| The Media Show: Jeans, Cars, Deodorant | 20241226 | 20241227 (WS) | Advertising executive Sir John Hegarty has created campaigns for some of the world's most famous brands including Levi's, Lynx, and Audi. He was a founding partner of Saatchi and Saatchi before co-founding his own firm, Bartle Bogle Hegarty, in 1982. But he believes that advertising today has lost sight of creativity, in its relentless focus on data and targeted advertising. He joins Ros Atkins to discuss his career, his theory of creativity, and the future of his industry. Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Dan Hardoon Advertising legend Sir John Hegarty on creating some of the world's most famous ads Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin |
| The Media Show: Julian Assange, Journalist Or Activist? | 20240627 | In the week that Julian Assange walks free, we explore the story of WikiLeaks' unprecedented data releases and how he and his organisation changed the way journalists and newsrooms operate. We also assess if his guilty plea to a US espionage charge will have a chilling effect on national security journalism. Also in the programme, Steven Moffat, the writer behind global TV hits such as Sherlock and Doctor Who. He reveals why he wanted to tackle cancel culture in his new comedy-drama “Douglas is Cancelled ?. Presenter: Katie Razzall Guests: James Ball, Political Editor, The New European; Carrie DeCell, senior staff attorney, Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University; Steven Moffat, writer and Executive Producer, Douglas is Cancelled. The WikiLeaks founder and his impact on journalism The WikiLeaks founder and his impact on journalism. Also on the show, Steven Moffat, the showrunner behind global TV hits Sherlock and Doctor Who | |
| The Media Show: Media Trends In 2025 | 20250102 | 20250103 (WS) | We explore the key media trends shaping 2025. From the rise of AI in journalism to how social platforms are transforming news, challenges in media funding and the future of regulation. With insights from Madhumita Murgia of the Financial Times, Charlotte Tobitt from Press Gazette and Rebecca Jennings from Vox. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Media predictions: what we'll see in 2025 Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin From the rise of AI in journalism to social platforms transforming news, expert predictions for the year ahead. |
| The Media Show: Meta Drops Fact-checkers And Grand Theft Auto 6 Hype Builds | 20250109 | 20250110 (WS) | Ahead of President Trump's return to The White House, Meta is replacing its US fact-checking program with a new “user-driven” approach called Community Notes. Angie Drobnic Holan, Director of the International Fact-Checking Network, explains the implications of this decision and whether decentralising moderation can effectively address misinformation. Piers Morgan, broadcaster and former host at Rupert Murdoch's News UK, has announced his decision to leave and focus on his YouTube channel. Julia Angwin, investigative journalist and fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, explains how this reflects the broader rise of independent content creators. Joey Contino, TikTok news influencer, shares how he has built a loyal following through accessible and direct reporting. Alessandra Galloni, Editor-in-Chief of Reuters, considers how traditional media organisations can adapt to these trends. Grand Theft Auto 6 is shaping up to be a landmark release in gaming history. With its first female protagonist, advanced AI, and immersive gameplay mechanics, the game is expected to push boundaries in both technology and storytelling. Vic Hood, freelance gaming journalist, examines the franchise's enduring appeal and how this instalment could set new benchmarks in the gaming industry. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai Why Mark Zuckerberg has changed tactics ahead of President Trump's return Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin Meta shifts to Community Notes, replacing fact-checking. TikTok's influence on news grows. Anticipation builds for Grand Theft Auto 6 |
| The Media Show: Netflix And The Baby Reindeer Fallout | 20240516 | Baby Reindeer is the Netflix drama that purports to be a true story – but a woman has come forward to say it's based on her, and that she's been totally misrepresented. Meanwhile, Piers Morgan has done an interview with her that itself has been called exploitative. Also in the programme, how AI generated news stories have been passed off as the work of human journalists, and the secret to a hit TV news theme tune. How a true story is alleged to be something rather more complicated Baby Reindeer is the latest Netflix hit - but is facing allegations as to whether it's fact or fiction, the secret to a hit TV news theme tune. | |
| The Media Show: Online Rumours And Real-world Consequences | 20240808 | In parts of the UK, violent protests broke out after the fatal stabbing of three young girls in the English town of Southport – rumours had spread that the suspect was an asylum seeker. Maria Breslin, editor of The Liverpool Echo, Priyanka Raval, reporter at The Bristol Cable and Stephanie Stacey, technology reporter at The Financial Times, have all been reporting the story. Also , a development in the ongoing saga of the Netflix show Baby Reindeer. The alleged subject of the drama is suing the streamer in a huge defamation lawsuit. Now Netflix's lawyers have fired back - and the court documents are every bit as dramatic as the show itself. Jake Kanter, investigations editor at Deadline, has the details. And what qualities do you need to be a journalist? The National Council for the Training of Journalists say the younger generation lacks confidence when it comes to tasks like cold calling and phone interviews. Presenter: Katie Razzall Assistant producer: Lucy Wai Producer: Simon Richardson How misinformation on social media fuelled the recent anti-immigration riots in England Parts of England have experienced riots after the fatal stabbing of three young girls. We meet journalists who've been reporting events. | |
| The Media Show: Prince Harry\u2019s legal victory and TikTok\u2019s future | 20250123 |
Prince Harry has settled his legal battle against Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers, securing a formal apology and substantial damages. Joshua Rozenberg, legal affairs commentator and journalist, explains the allegations, which included claims that private investigators used illegal methods to obtain information. Chris Huhne, former cabinet minister, reflects on his own experience.
The future of TikTok in the US faces uncertainty following remarks by President Trump, who proposed a potential deal involving US entities. Jake Kanter, Investigations Editor at Deadline, assesses the political dynamics behind this issue.
Media ethics are under scrutiny after the release of Israeli hostages by Hamas. Freelance journalist Noga Tarnopolsky critiques both the orchestration of the event by Hamas and how the Israeli government reported it and used footage of the hostages reuniting with their families.
Presenter: Katie Razzall
Prince Harry gets a formal apology from Murdoch\u2019s News Group Newspapers and a payout Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin Prince Harry gets a formal apology from Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers and a payout. TikTok’s US future uncertain amidst Trump’s comments and scrutiny over Israeli hostages.
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| The Media Show: Prince Harry's Legal Victory And Tiktok's Future | 20250123 | 20250124 (WS) | Prince Harry has settled his legal battle against Murdoch's News Group Newspapers, securing a formal apology and substantial damages. Joshua Rozenberg, legal affairs commentator and journalist, explains the allegations, which included claims that private investigators used illegal methods to obtain information. Chris Huhne, former cabinet minister, reflects on his own experience. The future of TikTok in the US faces uncertainty following remarks by President Trump, who proposed a potential deal involving US entities. Jake Kanter, Investigations Editor at Deadline, assesses the political dynamics behind this issue. Media ethics are under scrutiny after the release of Israeli hostages by Hamas. Freelance journalist Noga Tarnopolsky critiques both the orchestration of the event by Hamas and how the Israeli government reported it and used footage of the hostages reuniting with their families. Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai Prince Harry gets a formal apology from Murdoch's News Group Newspapers and a payout Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin Prince Harry gets a formal apology from Murdoch's News Group Newspapers and a payout. TikTok's US future uncertain amidst Trump's comments and scrutiny over Israeli hostages. |
| The Media Show: Reddit's Rise | 20241205 | 20241206 (WS) | Reddit bills itself as the “home to endless conversation and authentic human connection”, and it is now one of the fastest growing social networks in the world. For the first time in its 20 years history, it has turned a profit. Journalist James Ball discusses its financial milestones, while Robert H. Peck, associate professor at the University of Iowa, explains its moderation approach and the challenges of maintaining community standards on a rapidly growing platform. Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has launched a major offensive supported by a sophisticated media campaign. Dr Charlie Winter, associate fellow, International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, examines the use of digital content such as videos, meme, and music, alongside comparisons to other militant groups and counter-efforts by Assad's regime. Anna Wintour is the legendary editor in chief of Vogue magazine. To coincide with the opening of an immersive exhibition in London entitled Vogue: Inventing the Runway, she granted the BBC a rare interview. Katie Razzall reflects on the experience of sitting down with the journalist who famously provided the inspiration for The Devil Wears Prada. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai Why Reddit is one of the world's fastest growing social networks Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin Why Reddit is one of the fastest growing social networks, media tactics in Syria's conflict explained, and what is it like to interview Anna Wintour, Vogue's legendary editor? |
| The Media Show: Reporting Biden's Health | 20240704 | In the aftermath of his halting debate performance, the editorial boards of some major US newspapers have called on Joe Biden to withdraw from the presidential race. We ask why this issue is only being discussed widely now, and talk to Annie Linskey, White House reporter, The Wall Street Journal, who raised a comprehensive set of concerns about Biden's health but faced a backlash from others in the media. We also speak to Nayeema Raza, co-host, Semafor's Mixed Signals podcast and Jill Abramson, former executive editor, The New York Times Also on the show, we hear from El Hunt, commissioning editor for The Evening Standard, about what it is like reporting from the Glastonbury Festival and hear Ros Atkin's remix of the BBC News' theme tune in his debut DJ set at Glastonbury and how Louis Tomlinson of One Direction bought football home to Worthy Farm. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Is the White House press corps doing its job? Is the White House press corps doing its job? Also on the show, reporting from Glastonbury, one of the world's largest music festivals. | |
| The Media Show: Reporting From Inside Gaza | 20241010 | What's it like to report from Gaza? The BBC's Rushdi Abualouf discusses the editorial and practical challenges, keeping his family safe while reporting in a conflict zone, and how he made the difficult decision to leave Gaza in November and continue his work from abroad. We're also joined by the Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, Zanny Minton Beddoes, and the Israeli journalist Noga Tarnopolsky, to reflect on how the media has covered the war. Presenter: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Content Editor: Richard Hooper Assistant Producers: Martha Owen and Lucy Wai The BBC's Rushdi Abualouf on life for journalists in a warzone Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin The BBC's Rushdi Abualouf on the editorial and practical challenges of reporting from Gaza | |
| The Media Show: Reporting From The Scene Of The Trump Shooting | 20240718 | The Media Show hears from journalists who were witness to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. Gary O'Donoghue was reporting live on the BBC World Service when the shots were fired, and Hadriana Lowenkron was at the rally for Bloomberg. Anna Moneymaker, a photographer for Getty Images, describes how she managed to capture what has become a defining image of the event. Some in the US have since accused the media of fostering a hostile environment for politicians, and Ros and Katie discuss the nature of political discourse with Jay Caspian Kang of The New Yorker and Megan McArdle, a columnist at The Washington Post. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Journalists from BBC, Bloomberg and Getty share their account of a moment in history Journalists from BBC, Bloomberg and Getty share their account of a moment in history. | |
| The Media Show: Reporting Ringside At Usyk V Fury | 20240523 | On Saturday, Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury to become boxing's undisputed heavyweight champion. The high-profile match was held in the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which has been accused of ‘sportswashing'. Alex Pattle from The Independent reveals what it was like reporting from the event, and Prof Simon Chadwick analyses the Saudi sports investment strategy. The actor Scarlett Johansson has accused OpenAI of deliberately copying her voice for its latest chatbot ‘Sky'. OpenAI said that it would remove the voice, but insisted that it was not meant to be an 'imitation' of the star. Lawyer Susan Aslan assesses if the actor has a case, and tech journalist Takara Small gives us the latest updates on the latest AI releases. Plus an update on the furore surrounding the Netflix series Baby Reindeer, as the British MP John Nicolson asks Netflix to substantiate what it told a Parliamentary committee about the woman alleged to have inspired the character Martha. Guests: Alex Pattle, Combat Sports correspondent, The Independent; Simon Chadwick, Professor of Sport and Geopolitical Economy, Skema Business school; Takara Small, technology journalist; Susan Aslan, Partner, ACK Media Law. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Reporting on Usyk v Fury in Riyadh amidst allegations of 'sportswashing What's it like to report on a historic boxing match in Saudi Arabia amidst allegations of ‘sportswashing'? Plus has Scarlett Johansson got a case against OpenAI? | |
| The Media Show: Reporting Syria And Reaction To Luigi Mangione | 20241212 | 20241213 (WS) | After Bashar al-Assad's regime collapsed, Syrian media enters a new chapter. Kholoud Helmi, co-founder of the independent paper Enab Baladi, reflects on her publication's journey from clandestine reporting during Assad's era to hopes for unfiltered journalism in today's Syria. Sednaya prison, long shrouded in secrecy, has become a focal point for journalists and families of the missing. Freelance journalist Edmund Bower, reporting for The Times, recounts his access to the site. The murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has sparked polarising reactions online, including the celebration by some of his alleged killer Luigi Mangione. Mia Sato from The Verge discusses the public's focus on systemic healthcare failings, while influencer Michael McWhorter notes a striking lack of online detective interest in the case. Ben Strick, director of investigations at the Centre for Information Resilience, shares the principles of open-source investigations in an advent calendar he has created to highlight his work. He explains how tools like reverse image searches and flight trackers have aided investigative journalism, offering examples from global conflicts to everyday reporting. Presenters: Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai Syria enters a new era for journalists after the fall of the Assad regime Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin Insights into Syria's media changes post-Assad, social media's moral questions around murder suspect Luigi Mangione, and practical tools of investigative journalism. |
| The Media Show: Reporting the LA fires | 20250116 |
The devastation caused by the wildfires in Los Angeles has been profound, with homes and communities left in ruins. Jonathan Hunt, Fox News correspondent, and Emma Vardy of BBC News recount their experience of reporting from the Pacific Palisades. Allison Agsten, director of the Annenberg Centre for Climate Journalism and Communication, shares her concern that media coverage has often overlooked the role of climate change in exacerbating these events. Caroline Frost, columnist for the Radio Times, reflects on the prominence of celebrity involvement in coverage of the disaster.
Artificial intelligence has been used to recreate Sir Michael Parkinson’s voice for a podcast series that explores the boundaries of technology and human storytelling. Benjamin Field, producer of Virtually Parkinson, describes how the system was trained on more than 100 hours of archival material to recreate the legendary broadcaster.
Presenter: Ros Atkins
Challenge and dilemma for journalists reporting on the LA wildfires Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin Journalists discuss the perils of covering the LA wildfires. And how AI has recreated Sir Michael Parkinson for a new interview podcast.
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| The Media Show: Reporting The La Fires | 20250116 | 20250117 (WS) | The devastation caused by the wildfires in Los Angeles has been profound, with homes and communities left in ruins. Jonathan Hunt, Fox News correspondent, and Emma Vardy of BBC News recount their experience of reporting from the Pacific Palisades. Allison Agsten, director of the Annenberg Centre for Climate Journalism and Communication, shares her concern that media coverage has often overlooked the role of climate change in exacerbating these events. Caroline Frost, columnist for the Radio Times, reflects on the prominence of celebrity involvement in coverage of the disaster. Artificial intelligence has been used to recreate Sir Michael Parkinson's voice for a podcast series that explores the boundaries of technology and human storytelling. Benjamin Field, producer of Virtually Parkinson, describes how the system was trained on more than 100 hours of archival material to recreate the legendary broadcaster. Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai Challenge and dilemma for journalists reporting on the LA wildfires Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin Journalists discuss the perils of covering the LA wildfires. And how AI has recreated Sir Michael Parkinson for a new interview podcast. |
| The Media Show: Reporting The Predator At Harrods | 20240926 | Mohamed Al Fayed was the flamboyant billionaire whose investments once included the luxury department store Harrods and a Premier League football club. He was the father of Dodi, who was killed alongside Princess Diana in 1997. Fayed died last year and this month the BBC has released a new investigation that portrays him in a very different light. Erica Gornall, director of “Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods”, and Henry Porter, former UK editor of Vanity Fair, discuss the story. The US election is now just week away and the competition for viewers among the TV networks is ferocious. CNN – led by its British boss Mark Thompson - thinks they may have a secret weapon for Saturday nights; a US version of “Have I Got News For You”. Jimmy Mulville of Hat Trick Productions, is the brains behind it. Nayeema Raza, co-host of Semafor's Mixed Signals podcast, gives her verdict. Saad Mohseni co-founded the Moby Group, Afghanistan's largest media company. Despite the Taliban being back in power, his TV channel, TOLO, still broadcasts news and educational programmes - and uses female anchors. Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Flora McWilliam How the BBC exposed the billionaire businessman Mohamed Al Fayed Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin Behind the scenes on the new BBC exposé of the billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed, the battle for viewers on late night TV in America, and the man running a TV network in Afghanistan. | |
| The Media Show: Reporting The Us Campus Protests | 20240509 | US university campuses have been the scene of pro-Palestinian demonstrations over the last month. We assess the challenges of reporting the protests and hear why student journalists have been crucial to our understanding of the story. Also in the programme, Al Jazeera responds to the restrictions imposed on it by the Israeli government, and the experience of one reporter at the Met Gala. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Why student journalists have been crucial to the world's understanding of the story How student journalists have helped mainstream media to report pro-Palestinian demonstrations at US colleges, Al Jazeera responds to its ban from Israel. | |
| The Media Show: Russia's Alleged Influencer Propaganda Plot | 20240912 | The Department of Justice says it has busted a Russian plot to recruit popular right-wing influencers to convey its messages. Maggie Miller, Cybersecurity Reporter from Politico, and Catherine Belton, International Investigative Reporter for The Washington Post, discuss the case and the evolution of Russian disinformation tactics. Also on the show, as the public inquiry into what happened at the English hospital where Lucy Letby murdered seven babies begins, what impact are conspiracy theories having on the ongoing reporting of the story? Judith Moritz, North of England Correspondent for BBC News and James Coney, News projects editor, at The Sunday Times explain their approach. Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai US says YouTubers have been paid to post videos with hidden Russian government messages Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin | |
| The Media Show: Secrets Of The Celebrity Interview | 20240425 | Decca Aitkenhead is the Chief Interviewer of The Sunday Times and has interviewed countless big names, from Hillary Clinton to Madonna. As she wins yet another award for her writing, she reveals how she does it – and why body language is the key to getting the rich and famous to say things they might later regret. Also in the programme, we meet the creators of two TV formats that have been sold around the world. And can you teach creativity? The creative genius behind some of the world's most celebrated adverts says you can. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Guests: Decca Aitkenhead, Chief Interviewer, The Sunday Times; Matt Bennett, Senior Executive Producer, Shine TV; Dean Nabarro, Co-founder, Magnum Media; Sir John Hegarty, Advertising Executive, The Garage Soho. Coaxing megastars to say things they'll later regret, and can you teach creativity? The journalist who specialises in getting megastars to say things they'll later regret, devising TV formats that are global hits, and can you teach creativity? | |
| The Media Show: Secrets Of The Sidemen | 20241003 | As the Israeli offensive against targets in Lebanon continues, we discuss the challenge for journalists reporting the story with the BBC's Lyse Doucet and Shayan Sardarizadeh. Also on the show, one of the biggest flops in video game history as Sony pulls its new game Concord just days after launch. Keza MacDonald of The Guardian explains why it failed. And Jordan Schwarzenberger, the manager of the biggest YouTube creators in Europe, The Sidemen, reveals their creative process and business strategy. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Content Editor: Richard Hooper Assistant Producers: Martha Owen and Lucy Wai The manager of Europe's biggest YouTube creators reveals their strategy Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin Jordan Schwarzenberger, manager of the biggest YouTube creators in Europe, The Sidemen, explains how they do it. Also on the show, reporting the Middle East crisis. Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin | |
| The Media Show: Social Media As Crime Scene | 20240815 | In recent weeks parts of the UK saw violent riots fuelled by misinformation online and anti-immigration sentiment. Some rioters have since been sentenced using evidence from social media. Nazir Afzal, a former Chief Crown Prosecutor, and Lorna Woods, Professor of Internet Law at the University of Essex, explain how it worked. Many of you may have seen Elon Musk's interview on X with Donald Trump. What impact will his political views and his content moderation policies have on the social media platform? Lara O'Reilly from Business Insider fills us in. And we learn about the art of sports commentary from one of the BBC's Olympics commentators, Andrew Cotter. Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai How police are using social media to find evidence against rioters in the UK Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin | |
| The Media Show: Telegram Founder Arrested | 20240829 | Pavel Durov, the CEO of messaging app Telegram, has been arrested in France. For an executive of a big social media company to face a criminal enquiry is highly unusual. Mike Isaac, Tech Correspondent of The New York Times and Steve Rosenberg, Russia Editor for BBC News discuss the case. The Onion, the satirical news website, is relaunching a print edition. Its editor, Chad Nackers, explains the appeal of a traditional newspaper. A Chinese produced video game, Black Myth: Wukong, has become one of the most successful launches ever. Keza McDonald, Games Editor at The Guardian and Frankie Ward, e-sports host and broadcaster discuss this - and other gaming news. Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai What the Pavel Durov case means for the future of social media Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin What the arrest of the founder of Telegram means for the regulation of social media, the editor of The Onion on returning to print, and the new Chinese video game breaking records | |
| The Media Show: The Business Of News | 20240606 | In the age of social media, how easy is it to get people to pay for news? Editors from some of the world's biggest news brands explain their strategy for turning a profit. Also in the show, after Google's use of AI to generate search results went viral for all the wrong reasons, meet the journalist who followed its advice to put glue on her pizza. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Guests: Jeffrey Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief, The Atlantic; Katie Notopoulos, Senior Tech Correspondent, Business Insider; Andrew Neil, Chairman, The Spectator; Caroline Waterston, Editor-in-Chief, The Mirror. Are people willing to pay for journalism? We look at the changing business model for journalism, and the challenge editors face when covering Trump and the upcoming US election. | |
| The Media Show: The King Of Reality Tv | 20241024 | Andy Cohen is the executive producer behind the Real Housewives TV franchise. He tells Katie how it became a global phenomenon. Also in the programme, after Yulia Navalnaya's BBC interview, an assessment of Putin's crackdown on the media which her husband Alexei Navalny used to promote his message. Francis Scarr of BBC Monitoring explains. Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai How Andy Cohen created the Real Housewives phenomenon Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin How Andy Cohen turned the Real Housewives franchise into a phenomenon. And after Yulia Navalnaya's BBC interview, assessing Putin's crackdown on the media | |
| The Media Show: The War Reporter Who Stopped To Help | 20240711 | Oz Katerji was reporting from outside the children's hospital in Kyiv that was hit after Russia launched a wave of missiles on Ukraine earlier this week. He explains how he reached the decision to stop being a journalist and - for a few hours – join the rescue effort. Also in the programme, how should newsrooms engage with populist movements, some of which are hostile to the press? After the National Rally faced a surprise defeat in the French elections, did the media get the story wrong? Ros and Katie speak to Dr Ayala Panievsky, presidential fellow at City University and Victor Goury-Laffont, politics reporter at Politico Europe. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Why Oz Katerji decided to temporarily stop reporting and help injured Ukrainians Why Oz Katerji decided to temporarily stop reporting and help injured Ukrainians. Also on the show, what challenges do journalists face when reporting on populist movements? | |
| The Media Show: Trump's Pet-eating Conspiracy Theory | 20240919 | Donald Trump's false claim that migrants are eating pets in Springfield Ohio will go down in history as one of the most memorable political soundbites. Jack Brewster, Enterprise Editor at NewsGuard, has traced its origin. AJ Bauer, Assistant Professor, at the University of Alabama, explains how it became a meme. David Rennie has been The Economist's correspondent in Beijing for the last 6 years. As his posting comes to an end, he reflects on political and cultural change in China, and what it's been like reporting from a country with ever increasing media restrictions. Parmy Olson, technology columnist for Bloomberg Opinion, has just written a book about the AI arms race and the battle between Google's Deep Mind and Open AI. At the heart of it, she says in “Supremacy: AI, ChatGPT, and the Race that Will Change the World”, is the personal rivalry between two men. Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai Tracing the origin of the rumour that spawned an extraordinary political soundbite Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin The journalist who found the origin of Donald Trump's false claim that migrants are eating pets in Ohio, life as a reporter in China, and tech bro rivalries in the AI arms race. | |
| The Media Show: Trump's Winning Media Strategy | 20241107 | 20241108 (WS) | Much of the traditional media were blindsided by Trump's election victory. To discuss why, Katie is joined by James Harding, Founder, Tortoise Media, Claire Atkinson, The Media Mix newsletter, and Max Tani, Media Editor, Semafor. Also on the show, a new investigation into the finances of the British Royal family. Alistair Jackson, Investigations Editor, Channel 4, Jennie Bond, former BBC Royal Correspondent and Kinsey Schofield, Host, To Di for Daily ask whether the Royals get an easy ride from the journalists tasked with scrutinising them. Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai The pundits and pollsters who got the election wrong Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin Analysis of Trump's election win and his media strategy, and a new investigation into the finances of the British Royal family. |
| The Media Show: Us Election And Its Impact On Media | 20241114 | 20241115 (WS) | The US election has brought about significant challenges for the mainstream media. Edward Luce of the Financial Times, Megan McArdle of The Washington Post, and Katie Drummond of WIRED discuss the diversification of media sources and the struggle for relevance among traditional news organisations. Taskmaster has become a standout success in the world of TV comedy. Alex Horne, the creator and co-host of the UK edition, provides insights into the show's enduring popularity and its international adaptations. Presenter: Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall Assistant producer: Lucy Wai Producer: Simon Richardson Why Trump's victory poses a credibility challenge for journalism Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin Exploring the media's role post-US election with Edward Luce, Megan McArdle, and Katie Drummond. Also on the show, Alex Horne on Taskmaster's global success. |
| The Media Show: Who Will Inherit The Murdoch Empire? | 20240801 | News emerged last week that Rupert Murdoch is attempting to change his family's legal trust to preserve the editorial stance of his media outlets after his death. Several of his children are fighting back. Jim Rutenberg, writer at large at The New York Times has been following the family for more than two decades. He got the scoop and he joins us alongside Murdoch biographer Claire Atkinson. The BBC's David Sillito reflects on Huw Edwards' guilty plea to making indecent images of children - 41 images that had been shared with him by another man on WhatsApp. We look at how the story broke and the challenges of covering it for journalists inside the BBC. Also on the show, Channel 4 News anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy reflects on his experience competing on the TV dance competition, Strictly Come Dancing. Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson How Rupert Murdoch is locked in a legal battle with three of his children How Rupert Murdoch is locked in a legal battle with three of his children over his media outlet's editorial stance after his death. | |
| The Media Show: Why Korean Tv Rules The World | 20240905 | From Squid Game to The Masked Singer, some of the most popular TV formats of recent years have come from South Korea. InSoon Kim, a Korean TV producer, and journalists Lucas Shaw and Regina Kim, discuss why. Also on the show, Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor at The Times, explains how she went inside the Kursk region of Russia with Ukrainian forces. Francis Scarr from BBC Monitoring, tells us how the offensive is being reported on Russian state media. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai From Squid Game to The Masked Singer some of the most popular shows come from South Korea Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin From Squid Game to The Masked Singer, why some of the most popular TV formats of recent years have come from South Korea. | |
| Us Supreme Court | 20240824 | 20240825 (WS) | As one of the smallest Supreme Courts in the world, do nine justices fairly represent the diversity of views in the US? Host Claire Graham talks to the BBC's senior North American reporter Anthony Zurcher about how the ratio of republican to democratic judges has changed over time. The controversy over lifetime tenures of justices is discussed with no set term limits or mandatory retirement ages and we find out why historical court decisions are being overturned. Produced by Cathy Young for the BBC World Service. Do nine justices in the Supreme Court fairly represent the diversity of views in the US? Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin As one of the smallest Supreme Courts in the world, do nine justices fairly represent the diversity of views in the US? And why are historical court decisions being overturned? |
| Venezuela Crisis | 20230805 | 20231112 (WS) 20231113 (WS) | How has Venezuela, home to the world's largest oil reserves, become crippled with food and medicine shortages, hyper-inflation, violence and corruption? Hugo Chavez promised a socialist revolution in the 1990s, using high oil prices to fund his economic developments. However, during his time in power, he became increasingly autocratic and the economy slumped. Following Chavez's death, Nicolas Maduro, also from the socialist PSUV party, became President but global oil prices began to plummet. The economy went into freefall and controversial elections in 2018 have led to ongoing political unrest. Jorge Pérez, a BBC Mundo journalist, explains how Venezuela descended into chaos. With more oil reserves than Saudi Arabia, how is Venezuela so poor? |
| What Does The World Bank Do? | 20240106 | 20240107 (WS) 20240108 (WS) 20240901 (WS) | The World Bank was originally established after World War Two with the goal of eradicating poverty and establishing shared prosperity. With new challenges such as health crises, climate change and the establishment of the Asian Development bank, the World Bank's purpose is under greater scrutiny than ever before, but has its core mission changed? Michelle Fleury, the BBC's North America business correspondent, talks to Claire Graham about the origins and purpose of the World Bank, and the current challenges it faces as it tries to support sustainable development throughout the world. Michelle Fleury on the origins and purpose of the global financial institution Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin Michelle Fleury talks to Claire Graham about the origins and purpose of the World Bank, and the challenges it faces in trying to support sustainable development around the world. |
| What Is Brics? | 20231223 | 20231224 (WS) 20231225 (WS) | Brazil, Russia, Indonesia, China and South Africa make up what is currently called BRICS, a group of emerging economies which is challenging the Western-dominated order and institutions through its collective power. Its New Development Bank is seen as a rival to the World Bank and IMF. Its political and financial strength looks set to grow, with a soar in applications from other nations to join. Its latest expansion will see the bloc at least double in size in 2024. But what are its aims? And how does it plan to achieve them? BBC correspondent Emir Nader talks to Claire Graham about this growing club of nations and its potential influence around the world. Can a group of emerging economies change the existing global economic hierarchy? BBC correspondent Emir Nader talks to Claire Graham about the growing influence of the BRICS group of economies: Brazil, Russia, Indonesia, China and South Africa. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa make up what is currently called BRICS, a group of emerging economies which is challenging the Western-dominated order and institutions through its collective power. Its New Development Bank is seen as a rival to the World Bank and IMF. Its political and financial strength looks set to grow, with a soar in applications from other nations to join. Its latest expansion will see the bloc at least double in size in 2024. BBC correspondent Emir Nader talks to Claire Graham about the growing influence of the BRICS group of economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. |
| What Is Five Eyes? | 20231209 | 20231210 (WS) 20231211 (WS) | A secret intelligence pact between the UK and US began during the Second World War, focused on intercepting communications and breaking codes. Expanding to what is now known as Five Eyes, with the addition of Australia, New Zealand and Canada, the secrecy around the alliance continued for decades. It wasn't until 2013, when the ex-NSA contractor Edward Snowden leaked classified documents, that the extent of its operations came into the public spotlight. Gordon Corera, the BBC's security correspondent, talks to Claire Graham about the origins of this spy network and how relevant it is in a modern digital world. Gordon Corera on the origins of the international spy network Gordon Corera, the BBC's security correspondent, talks to Claire Graham about the origins of the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand and Canada's intelligence pact, known as Five Eyes. |
| What Is Nato? | 20230812 | 20231105 (WS) 20231106 (WS) 20240908 (WS) | Nato members agree to support each other if they come under attack. That's the fundamental purpose of Nato, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, formed in the wake of World War II. But how has its remit changed in the seven decades since its foundation? Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, more states have sought to join Nato, but its expansion is perceived as a threat by President Putin. James Landale, the BBC's Diplomatic Correspondent, explains how Nato works and what challenges lie ahead for the organisation. Will Nato continue to expand? Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin Nato members agree to support each other if they come under attack. But how has its remit changed in the seven decades since its foundation ? |
| What Is Sportswashing? | 20231230 | 20231231 (WS) 20240101 (WS) | In recent years, many sports have received huge investment from oil-rich petrostates, and while the term ‘sportswashing' is relatively new, the idea of using sport as a way to deflect negative publicity has been around for years. The impact of recent huge investment has changed the landscape for football, golf, F1, cricket and boxing and many believe this to be a new form of soft power for those involved. Dan Roan, sports editor at BBC News, talks to Claire Graham about the accusation that countries are investing in sport and high-profile events to improve their international reputation. Dan Roan on why oil-rich nations are investing huge amounts of money in global sport Dan Roan, sports editor at BBC News, talks to Claire Graham about accusations of countries investing in sport and high-profile events to improve their international reputation. |
| What Is The Dark Web? | 20240511 | 20240512 (WS) | The secret club which keeps illegal content hidden, using encryption and anonymisation tools. But can it also be a force for good? The dark web is a hidden part of the internet, giving a cloak to crime. But defenders argue it also keeps activists and whistleblowers safe. Host Claire Graham talks to the BBC technology editor Zoe Kleinman about the origins of the dark web, cyber crime and internet censorship across the world. Presenter: Claire Graham Producer: Cathy Young Researcher: Joe Schultz The secret club which keeps illegal content hidden, using encryption and anonymisation tools. But can it also be a force for good? The dark web is a hidden part of the internet, giving a cloak to crime. But defenders argue it also keeps activists and whistle blowers safe. Host Claire Graham talks to the BBC Technology Editor Zoe Kleinman about the origins of the dark web, cyber crime and internet censorship across the world. The secret club which keeps illegal content hidden using encryption & anonymisation tools |
| What Is The United Nations? | 20240817 | 20240818 (WS) | Consisting of 193 member states, the United Nations is a global organisation which strives for peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet. Founded in 1945, it provides a forum for the world's nations to come together, discuss issues and find solutions, which transcend national boundaries. The UN has successfully ended conflicts across the world and has won the Nobel Peace Prize over ten times. However it has been criticized for the alleged abuse of power by nations, inaction and failure to prevent armed conflicts. So in a rapidly changing world – is the UN fit for purpose? Host Claire Graham talks to the BBC North America & UN correspondent Nada Tawfik about the structure, purpose and future of the United Nations. Produced by Cathy Young for BBC World Service. Striving for peace & equality on a healthy planet, is the United Nations fit for purpose? The UN has successfully ended conflicts across the world and has won the Nobel Peace Prize over ten times. But the global organisation faces allegations of corruption and inaction |
| What Makes A Good Peace Mediator? | 20240720 | 20240721 (WS) | Brokering peace between warring nations, how does it work and what causes failure? We look at Qatar's role in the Middle East and at insight gained from the Northern Ireland peace process. Host Claire Graham talks to Lyse Doucet – the BBC's Chief International Correspondent about how the state actors in peace mediation have changed and adapted over time. Plus Lyse tackles the question - can you really be a mediator if you are not neutral? Produced by Cathy Young for the BBC World Service. Brokering peace between warring nations, how does it work and what causes failure? We look at Qatar's role in the Middle East & at insight from the Northern Ireland peace process. |
| Who Are The Rohingyas? | 20230722 | 20231203 (WS) 20231204 (WS) | In 2017, a deadly crackdown by Myanmar's army resulted in the mass exodus of Rohingya Muslims across the border into Bangladesh. Years later, many of those who fled are still in refugee camps. But why have the Rohingya people become stateless? And will they ever return to Myanmar, which is now run by a military junta after a coup ousted Aung San Suu Kyi and her government in 2021. The BBC's Burmese Editor, Soe Win Than, explains how tensions grew in the Rakhine State and explores if the Rohingya Muslims and Rakhine Buddhists could ever live side by side again. Presenter: Claire Graham Producer: Owen McFadden How the Rohingyas fled Myanmar to become the world's largest stateless population Why have the Rohingya people become stateless, and will they ever return to Myanmar? |
| Why Is The Gulf Stream And Amoc So Important To Our Climate? | 20240727 | 20240728 (WS) | Complex ocean currents keep Europe warm and bring rain to Africa, but could they come to an end? The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a system of ocean currents within the Atlantic Ocean, transporting warm water north towards the Arctic and returning cold water south towards Antarctica. The Gulf Stream is a component of AMOC, which carries warm water from the Gulf of Mexico, up along the eastern coastline of the United States. AMOC and the Gulf Stream enable heat to be distributed around our planet, and ensure Europe experiences milder weather compared to Canada, despite being on a similar latitude. AMOC's currents are driven by changes in water density due to changes in ocean salinity and temperature. Increasing ocean temperatures and freshwater flows from melting ice sheets due to climate change, have the potential to weaken AMOC. This could lead to cooler temperatures in Europe and a drop in rainfall in key agricultural areas in places like Africa and Asia, in turn affecting millions of people. Host Claire Graham talks to the BBC's Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt. Produced by Cathy Young for the BBC World Service. Complex ocean currents keep Europe warm and bring rain to Africa, but could they end? What runs warm north and cold south, but if stops, could seriously change how we all live? |