BBC World Service English controller Jon Zilkha lays out his vision of how the World Service will develop in 2023, and explains more about how financial cuts and the BBC‘s commitment to a “digital first” approach will affect what you hear.Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard Shannon
A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

Ask the controller 2022: Part two

Talk back to the BBC and challenge the programme makers.

The BBC has introduced a paywall for people looking at parts of its website from within the United States. We hear listeners’ reactions to being asked to pay for something they previously got for free, whilst others outside the US ask if it sets a precedent for the rest of the world. We are joined from New York by the BBC Studios executive in charge of the project, Rebecca Glashow.Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard Shannon
A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service

Paying for something you previously got for free

The BBC News Persian service has provided expertise and analysis to the whole of the BBC, in spite of being banned from Iran. We hear how journalists with BBC News Persian have been broadcasting reports about the situation in Iran and we are joined by the head of its service.Plus, The Killing Call tells of the murder of Indian music star Sidhu Moose Wala. The executive editor of World Service documentaries tells us of the various challenges producers faced in its making. Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard Shannon
A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

Providing expertise and analysis on Iran

The World Debate broadcast last weekend considered the rapidly changing international landscape under President Trump. Is the world a safer or more dangerous place, it asked. We hear listeners' views on how the debate shaped up and we are joined in the studio by a BBC news editor who oversaw the broadcast.Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard Shannon
A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

Debating the rapidly changing international landscape

My Song, My Home is a new musical podcast series from BBC Learning English. It offers global audiences an opportunity to learn English by meeting local musicians from across the UK and listening to them and their original songs. We get lyrical with the series’ editor!Plus, a listener delights in a recent Witness History on the invention of the automatic electric rice cooker!Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard Shannon
A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

Getting lyrical with BBC Learning English

The proposed switch from BBC Sounds to a new BBC app has been weighing heavily on the minds of some listeners. Many of you have been unhappy.
Well it seems listener power has prevailed and there has been an important change! We bring you the BBC’s update.Plus , the true crime podcast series The Con: Kaitlyn’s Baby, is about one apparently pregnant young woman’s desperate lie. We speak with its presenter Sarah Treleaven.Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard Shannon
A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

The latest update on BBC Sounds internationally

A number of journalists working for BBC Russian have been labelled “foreign agents”, severely restricting their professional and private lives. We hear from the editor of BBC News's Russian service about the impact.Plus, a listener has been in touch to praise a moving eyewitness report on Newsday.Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard Shannon.
A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service

The challenges facing the BBC’s Russian service

The documentary Donald Trump’s New World Order set out to explain the reasons behind these turbulent times. Presenter Jamie Coomarasamy reveals how he overcame the problems of staying up to date when the Trump Administration seems to be announcing new policies day by day? We hear your views.Presenter Rajan Datar
Producer Howard Shannon
A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

How to make a documentary on President Trump

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

The sound of a new BBC App launching

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

The challenges of change at the top of US politics

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

Our listeners’ panel looks ahead to 2025

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

Meeting the team who produced America Decides

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

Listener bugbears on truncating news interviews

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

How has Stumped evolved over its 10-year innings?

The Reith Lectures are an annual tradition, started in 1948 by the BBC’s first director general. In a special edition, we hear your thoughts on the programme, and we’re joined by the man who gave this year’s address. We also talk to the BBC executive who commissioned it.Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard ShannonA Whistledown production for the BBC World Service

The Reith Lectures: A tradition since 1948

In a specially extended edition, we have Jon Zilkha, the controller of BBC World Service English, in the studio to answer listeners’ questions about what they’ve heard on the World Service in the past year. Some are happy - others feel there’s work to be done!Topics include news coverage of the Middle East conflict, proposed schedule changes and the BBC’s long-term finances.Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard Shannon.
A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service

Ask the BBC World Service English controller 2023

We hear listeners’ thoughts on the BBC World Service’s reporting of the ongoing events in the Middle East. We ask if the war in Ukraine really has dropped out of the news headlines and discuss the issue of “news fatigue” with the head of journalism at World Service English, Simon Peeks.Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard Shannon.
A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service

Is news fatigue something you worry about?

We examine arts programming on the BBC World Service as we talk to the teams behind two of its long-running shows: In the Studio and The Cultural Frontline. Do you enjoy these arts series? Or does arts programming in general leave you cold?Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard Shannon.
A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

Do listeners enjoy World Service's arts programmes?

The recent women’s football World Cup has been widely hailed as a success for the international game. We hear your thoughts on the BBC’s coverage. Plus, a listener asks if there’s a place for sports reporting in a serious news show.Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard Shannon.
A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service

A success for the women’s international game?

A documentary recently told the story of a 14-year-old American schoolboy who is on a mission to prevent billions of batteries going into landfill. We hear your feedback on this positive, solutions-focused programme, and the show’s presenter and producer join us to explain the process of working with young people.Plus, we hear some initial reaction to the World Service's coverage of football's Women's World Cup. Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard Shannon
A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service

Explaining a solutions-focused documentary

We are now well into the second month of changes affecting Focus on Africa and its switch to being primarily a podcast with a repeat radio airing later that same day. So how is it going down with listeners? Is it alienating those of you who do not have access to digital platforms? Does it feel less “live”? Or does the focus on it being a podcast mean it can now attract a wider audience from the African diaspora globally? We speak to the editor of Focus On Africa, Alice Muthengi.Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard Shannon
A Whistledown Production for BBC World Service

The transition from live radio show to podcast

World Book Club took to the air over two decades ago and it is still going strong. Each month an author is quizzed by a live audience. We speak with its long-running host Harriett Gilbert and ask how do you make a show appeal to those who are not heavy readers? And listeners give their thoughts.Plus, how a recent edition of HardTalk on Iranian Kurds hit the nail on the head for a listener in the US.Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard Shannon
A Whistledown Production for BBC World Service

Appealing to readers for over two decades

Last week, we aired an interview with the boss of BBC World Service English about how and why there had been some notable alterations to the schedule, with four shows coming to an end: Digital Planet, Tech Tent, The Cultural Frontline and World Football. Now you tell us what you think of the changes.Plus, listeners ask why is the data lite version of podcasts not available? We’ll investigate.Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard Shannon.
A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service

After schedule changes are made, it’s over to you

We begin the first show of the new year with your thoughts on what you heard on the BBC World Service over the past 12 months. What subjects in 2022 caught your attention? And what shows perhaps didn't quite hit the nail on the head? The Inquiry, the Documentary, Outside Source, the Forum and Hardtalk all fall under the spotlight.Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard Shannon
A Whistledown Production for the BBC World Service

Listeners’ review of the past year on the World Service

The controller of BBC World Service English, Jon Zilkha, responds to your comments, views and questions - be they favourable or critical, in the first of a two-part special edition of Over to You.It has been yet another tumultuous year all over the world and the BBC World Service’s job has been to reflect that - but also to provide insight and diversion from the current affairs agenda. So how well do you think they are fulfilling that brief? Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard Shannon.
A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

Ask the controller 2022: Part one

We examine how the BBC World Service marked a year since the Taliban took control in Afghanistan. What are the challenges facing teams on the ground? And how do you keep listeners engaged? We speak with the head of journalism, Simon Peeks.Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard Shannon
A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service

Challenges facing the BBC’s teams in Afghanistan

When thousands of protesters took to the streets of Sri Lanka, what were the challenges of covering this civil unrest? We talk to the BBC’s South Asia correspondent.
Plus another in our insightful and often revealing series How I Hear, about your everyday listening habits. 
Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard Shannon

Reporting protesters on the streets of Colombo

Surviving the Siege of Mariupol told of the experiences of Mariupolchanka FC, a professional women’s football team in southern Ukraine. Listeners tell us what they thought about this compelling story.
Plus, Hidden Sport took its audience on a global journey to discover the world’s lesser-known sports. But how were the sports chosen? We find out.
Presenter Rajan Datar.
Producer Howard Shannon.

A compelling story of women’s football in Ukraine

We return to the ongoing issue which is worrying many listeners: disinformation. Has the war in Ukraine made tackling it a more urgent priority? How does the BBC’s team differentiate between fact and fiction, and is social media in some way to blame? We ask the BBC’s disinformation editor, Rebecca Skippage, where priorities lie.Plus, was the right terminology used in the documentary series Black Music in Europe? A listener in Kenya says not.Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard Shannon

Has the war given disinformation a boost?

Your reactions to the news that future BBC funding is to be up for discussion. How might it affect the World Service? Plus listeners give their fond farewells as we say goodbye to a familiar voice on BBC Outside Source, Nuala McGovern.Presenter: Rajan Datar
Producer: Howard Shannon

How should the BBC be funded?

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

Ros Atkins on analysing news

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

Meeting the man behind the music show This Is Africa

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

Reporting COP26

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

Your thoughts on the story of the HIV-Aids crisis

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

Striking the right note for the Proms

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

Did the BBC WS Olympics coverage cross the finishing line?

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

A daring bank raid and a disinformation specialist’s radio diary

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

Uncovering the American mother caught up in Syria

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

Behind-the-scenes of BBC Africa’s leading investigation team

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

Asking questions of the Climate Question series

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.

The pros and cons of the immersive documentary

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.

Do fake football crowd sounds do it for you?

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

How can reporters avoid causing panic about coronavirus?

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 is the newly created series Music Life settling in?

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

How Africa Eye exposed sex for grades

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

When reports are seen as too one-sided

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.

Ideas that shape the global economy

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.

How science coverage could change

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

How podcasts have become mainstream

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

Reporting the biggest democratic poll ever held

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