Feedback

Does the BBC need to rethink its business coverage in light of the coronavirus epidemic? The BBC’s Business Editor Simon Jack gives his view and answers listeners' questions.

Journalist Nick Wallis explains why he spent ten years on an investigation into the treatment of sub-postmasters by the Post Office, which has now been turned into a ten-part series on Radio 4.

And two listeners living abroad explain why they listen to the BBC’s domestic radio output, and turn amateur reviewers of a Radio 4 programme.

Presenter: Roger Bolton

Producer: Kate Dixon

Executive Producer: Samir Shah

A Juniper Connect production for BBC Radio 4

The Archers has taken a dramatic turn – but is it for the worse? As internal monologues replace dramatic dialogue and confrontation, listeners give their verdicts on the most radical transformation in the soap’s long history.

As Tim Harford prepares to do even more episodes of Radio 4’s More or Less, he explains to Roger about the use - and abuse - of statistics.

And should Radio 4 Extra stop repeating comedies from what is claimed to be the racist past?

Presenter: Roger Bolton

Executive Producer: Samir Shah

A Juniper Connect production for BBC Radio 4

How well is BBC News rising to the challenge of reporting the coronavirus pandemic, and what should its role be? Should it support the Government at this time of national crisis or continue with tough forensic questioning and reporting?

Roger Bolton puts listeners’ comments and questions about the coronavirus coverage to Gavin Allen, the head of BBC News output.

Presenter: Roger Bolton

A Juniper Connect production for BBC Radio 4

Does the BBC’s coronavirus podcast put too much emphasis on politics and not enough on medical science? That's one of the comments from listeners discussed by Roger Bolton with Dino Sofos, the editor of the Coronavirus Newscast.

Roger also asks a transgender priest why she chose the issue of her identity as a subject for her Lent Talk on Radio 4, and why she was inspired by Jesus Christ’s journey of self-discovery.

And a mother and daughter turn their attentions to the heavens and listen to a documentary about the Hubble telescope. Are they well outside their comfort zones?

Presenter: Roger Bolton

A Juniper Connect production for BBC Radio 4

Does BBC local radio have a special role to play in the coverage of the coronavirus crisis and, with many of its staff in isolation, does it have the resources to do it?

Roger Bolton puts these and other questions to Chris Burns who runs BBC local radio. A reporter from Radio Gloucestershire explains how her station is coping, having only just finished covering the terrible floods in the Severn area before the virus struck.

And two more listeners have been taken out of their comfort zones. Has it changed their listening habits?

Presenter: Roger Bolton

A Juniper Connect production for BBC Radio 4

Chris Mason is now presenting Any Questions on BBC Radio 4 in a room alone and without an audience. He tells Roger Bolton how this has changed the programme, and listerners give their views on missing the applause, the boos and the hisses.

Also, listeners discuss whether a coronavirus free Ambridge is absurd or a refreshing change from the real world, and if it was wise to blow up Linda Snell.

Presenter: Roger Bolton

A Juniper Connect production for BBC Radio 4

Feedback devotes the whole programme to putting listeners’ questions and concerns to the BBC’s Director of Radio and Education James Purnell.

He tells Roger Bolton how the Corporation is coping in the present crisis and what changes we can expect in the near future. And they go on to discuss the future strategic challenges facing the Corporation as its own financial problems increase and with the future of the licence fee itself under examination.

Presenter: Roger Bolton

A Juniper Connect production for BBC Radio 4

In Feedback this week, the latest information on how the BBC is responding to the coronavirus crisis and making changes to its radio schedules.

Two listeners will venture well out of their comfort zones to listen to a very disturbing story on the World Service.

And is this the moment when slow radio comes into its own? The producer of Living National Treasures sings the praises of a sculptor’s chisel.

Presenter: Roger Bolton

A Juniper Connect production for BBC Radio 4

As the coronavirus outbreak is confirmed as a pandemic, the BBC’s medical correspondent Fergus Walsh talks about the daily dilemmas he faces in reporting the story, and answers comments from the audience about the coverage.

The Editor of Ramblings - a long-running staple of the BBC Radio 4 schedules - responds to some listeners who think it has lost its way.

And two more listeners review That Peter Crouch Podcast.

Presenter: Roger Bolton

A Juniper Connect production for BBC Radio 4

As the Ambridge storyline about historic child sex abuse comes to an end, Roger Bolton hears audience views and discovers how The Archers production team handled this difficult story. The Editor of The Archers, Jeremy Howe, explains how the story was planned and why a much loved character, the retired academic Jim, was chosen to be at the centre of the plot.

Also, a father and daughter try - and fail - to agree on whether some new radio comics on Radio 5 Live are actually funny.

And media analyst Claire Enders spells out the existential crisis facing the BBC, as listeners comment on the future of the licence fee.

Presenter: Roger Bolton

A Juniper Connect production for BBC Radio 4