Stay ConnectedWhere the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories – looking behind the spin. Exploring the important questions about long-running stories and the latest global news. An honest, unvarnished, explanation of the world.
Featuring new episodes of The President’s Path, Unspun World with John Simpson, and The Media Show.
Copyright: © (C) BBC 2024
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the impact of the latest outbreak of hostilities in Yemen, examines whether there is any hope for a Palestinian state in the Middle East, and explores the potential dangers of artificial intelligence.
Producer: Kate Cornell Executive producer: Benedick Watt Commissioning editors: Silvia Costeloe and Paul Royall
The right of reply has long been a cornerstone of journalism, giving those involved in a story the chance to respond before publication. But with politicians and public figures now using social media to publish their own version first, is this principle being undermined? Guto Harri, former Downing Street Director of Communications, Professor Karen Fowler-Watt from City St George’s, University of London, and journalist Matt Shea assess how the practice is changing. As streaming services compete for attention, TV remotes usually now include buttons for platforms like Netflix and YouTube, often paid for by the services themselves. UK broadcasters argue this disadvantages British platforms and have called for a dedicated ‘British’ button. Technology historian Edd Thomas and Professor Catherine Johnson from the University of Leeds explain why the remote has become such a significant battleground.
Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Content Producer: Lucy Wai Researcher: Ruth Waites Production Assistant: Cameron Taylor Technical Coordinator: Samuel Iyiola Sound: Nicola Brough
Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann reflect on the legacy of the 9/11 attacks 25 years on, examining their lasting impact on US society and foreign policy, and how that day reshaped the course of the world.
In 1964, a group of seven-year-olds appeared in a TV documentary about class in Britain. The cameras returned every seven years to see how their lives had changed. Now, more than 60 years later, 70 Up brings the project to an end. Jo Clinton-Davis, Controller of Factual at ITV, talks about the people who took part and the legacy of a remarkable TV experiment.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has given an interview to Katie Razzall and The Media Show. She talks about BBC funding and cuts, its place in the UK media landscape, and proposals for a UK streaming service and a public service algorithm. Jake Kanter, international investigations editor at Deadline, gives his reaction.
Channel 4’s undercover investigation into Reform UK has raised questions about how undercover journalism works and how political parties use opinion polls that later appear in the media. Sir John Curtice, professor of politics at the University of Strathclyde, and Stephan Shakespeare, CEO of YouGov, consider the issues raised by the story.
Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Content producer: Lucy Wai Production co-ordinator: Colette Cunningham Technical co-ordinator: Mark Dickins Sound engineer: Allyson Purcell-Davis
Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann answer your questions on Trump’s presidency and examine the key issues that could shape the midterms, from his approach to foreign policy and relations with US allies to the domestic political battles and key races to watch.
Senior producer: James Kraft Editor: James Kraft Executive producer: Anna Holford
“Meat proxy” is a new term coined to describe someone who acts as a human conduit for material generated by AI. Software engineer Niklas Gruhn, who came up with the phrase, joins Will Oremus, staff writer at The Atlantic and Fortune’s executive editorial director Diane Brady, to discuss how much AI is being used in journalism and when readers should be told about it.
Five years after US troops withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban returned to power, Lyse Doucet has been back in the country, including visiting one of the secret schools set up for girls. BBC News’ Chief International Correspondent discusses what it takes to report from Afghanistan now, the restrictions she encountered and the difficult decisions involved in protecting contributors.
Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Content producer: Lucy Wai Junior production co-ordinator apprentice: Cameron Taylor Technical co-ordinator: Christopher Brown Sound engineer: Michael Campbell
Mark Carney’s tough response to Donald Trump signals an escalation to the trade war between Canada and the United States. What does the dispute could mean for people and businesses on both sides of the border? What impact could the tariffs have on Trump’s midterm prospects? Could Canada could turn to other trading partners and European allies for support? Caitriona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Whitehouse correspondent Bernd Debusmann explore.
A special show from the Edinburgh TV Festival, where some of the industry’s biggest players have gathered from around the world to debate the future of television. YouTube now has 2.7 billion monthly active users, watching more than a billion hours of video every day, and many in the industry are asking whether it has become “the new TV”.
Alison Lomax, Managing Director of YouTube UK and Ireland, gives the platform’s perspective on its growth, its algorithm and its relationship with creators. Claire Mundell, Managing Director and Creative Director of Synchronicity Films, Richard Cowles, CEO of Lifted Entertainment, and Jamie MacDonald, Head of Originals at After Party Studios, give their perspectives on the state of the industry and what could be coming next.
Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Content Producer: Lucy Wai Assistant Producer: Laura Cain Researcher: Ruth Waites Sound: Sean Mullervy and Ben Andrews
Sumi Somaskanda, Bernd Debusmann and Courtney Subramanian explore how President Trump is reshaping America's relationships with allies and adversaries. They discuss Trump's willingness to meet North Korea's Kim Jong Un again, rising tensions with ally Oman, and what it could mean for the United States’ role on the world stage.
Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.uk
Senior producer: James Kraft Editor: James Kraft Executive producer: Anna Holford
The death of Cambridge academic Jason Arday has prompted intense debate about media conduct, following weeks of reporting on allegations of plagiarism and questions about aspects of his life story. Critics have accused journalists of contributing to an atmosphere of relentless scrutiny, while others argue that legitimate public interest questions were being pursued. Nick Clark, a childhood friend of Jason Arday, reflects on his experience of speaking to reporters. Charles Moore, columnist at The Telegraph and The Spectator, Seun Matiluko, freelance journalist, Sarah Ditum, Times Columnist and Stephen Bush, columnist at the Financial Times, consider questions of proportionality, public interest and journalistic responsibility.
Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Content producer: Lucy Wai Researcher: Ruth Waites Technical coordinator: Mark Dickins Sound: Allyson Purcell-Davis
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
