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Featuring new episodes of The President’s Path, Unspun World with John Simpson, and The Media Show.
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John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines what Ukraine can do to win back American military support in its war with Russia, explores whether a European army could provide a bulwark against Russia and looks at how Donald Trump and Elon Musk have waded into the controversy over South Africa’s land inequality.
Jeff Bezos’ growing influence on the Washington Post has reached a turning point, with changes to its opinion section prompting resignations from senior figures. Cameron Barr, a former managing editor, explains his decision to leave, expressing concerns about the paper’s independence. Max Tani, media editor at Semafor, offers insight into how editorial and opinion functions differ between US and UK media. Greg Williams, deputy global editorial director at WIRED, examines Bezos’ wider significance.
Also in the programme, what is it like to win an Oscar? Director Molly O’Brien, whose documentary The Only Girl in the Orchestra won Best Documentary Short, shares her experiences of Hollywood’s biggest night.
Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses whether Russia’s war in Ukraine is nearing an endgame, examines the implications of the surge in support for the right in the German elections and looks at the huge increase in government surveillance under the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Mehdi Hasan’s career has taken him from the UK to becoming a high-profile journalist in the US. In this extended conversation, he discusses social media’s impact on journalism, his approach to interviewing, and why he decided to launch his own subscription platform.
Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson
The future for Ukraine is fought not just on the battlefield but in the media. Governments carefully craft messages to influence global opinion, and media access is a crucial tool in shaping narratives. Former Nato spokesperson Oana Lungescu and The Times defence editor Larisa Brown, explore how Ukraine, Russia, and Western nations use diplomatic messaging to project power and control perceptions. David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker, reflects on the magazine’s 100-year legacy. From long-form, investigative pieces to cultural criticism, The New Yorker has defined literary journalism. Remnick shares insights on the magazine’s fact-checking process, its role in shaping public discourse, and why deeply reported journalism remains crucial in the digital age. Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines whether Western support for Ukraine is holding firm, analyses Donald Trump’s plan for a Middle East riviera in Gaza and looks at whether artificial intelligence is still a danger to us.
Elon Musk’s presence at a White House press conference surprised journalists when President Trump gave him the stage to address questions about his growing governmental influence. Jeff Mason, White House correspondent for Reuters, who asked Musk about claims of a “hostile takeover” of government, describes the experience.
The Trump administration has announced significant cuts to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which provides funding to independent media organisations worldwide. Max Tani, reporter for Semafor, explains how this decision affects news outlets, particularly those operating in countries where press freedom is under threat.
BBC Media Action, the BBC’s international charity, has been affected by the cuts, with USAID previously providing millions in funding. Its CEO, Simon Bishop, clarifies the organisation’s role and responds to Elon Musk’s claim that USAID funds the BBC directly.
The attention economy is reshaping the way people engage with media and technology. Chris Hayes, host of MSNBC’s All In, draws comparisons between Big Tech’s monetisation of attention and the Industrial Revolution’s transformation of labour. He discusses the social and political consequences of mass digital engagement and offers insight into potential regulatory solutions.
Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines Donald Trump’s first few weeks in office, analyses whether the United States is going to start a trade war, and looks at how Mexico is dealing with the new administration in Washington.
Bill Gates sits down with presenter Katie Razzall in Seattle to discuss technology’s impact, from social media to AI, as he reflects on themes from his new autobiography. He shares his thoughts on misinformation, regulation, and his most recent meeting with Donald Trump.
Also, how can news outlets engage Gen Z? New research shows young consumers trust social media posts and influencers as much as traditional journalism. Alex Mahon, CEO of Channel 4, David Rhodes of Sky News, and Geordie Greig of The Independent discuss the challenge. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai
John Simpson visits Russia's neighbour Latvia for a special episode of Unspun World where he reflects on how the collapse of the Soviet Union has shaped Putin’s Russia. With BBC experts in the region, John explores how a second Trump presidency may affect the war in Ukraine and looks at the Baltic balancing act over the threat from Moscow.
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