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Feedback episodes

  • BBC Sounds, Reith Lectures, 'Gove in Government'

    Roger Bolton with first reactions to the new BBC Sounds app. Also, Reith lecturer Margaret MacMillan reflects on her task and Mary Ann Sieghart discusses her documentary Gove in Government.

    Michael Gove is not just a favourite target for satirists, he has also long been one of the most controversial ministers in government. A new documentary, presented by his former Times colleague Mary Ann Sieghart, examined him not in terms of what his policies have accomplished, but by considering his exceptional record of getting those policies enacted in the first place. But many Feedback listeners have taken issue with this approach. Mary Ann discusses the programme and responds to the comments.

    BBC iPlayer Radio is popular with listeners - but it's not long for this world. This week, the BBC launched its long term, if currently unfinished, replacement - BBC Sounds. Dan Taylor-Watt, the head of iPlayer and BBC Sounds, answers listener questions about the new app and explains where it fits into the BBC's push for younger listeners.

    And this year's Reith lecturer is the Canadian historian Margaret MacMillan, who is focusing her talks on the topic of war and society. With the first in the series already a hit with Feedback listeners. Professor MacMillan joins Roger to share what it's like to take on the prestigious role of Reith lecturer.

    Presenter: Roger Bolton

    Producer: Will Yates
    Executive Producer: Katherine Godfrey

    A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

    28 min
  • Covering Corbyn, My Dream Dinner Party, News for Millennials

    Roger Bolton hears listener views and asks if the BBC is biased against Jeremy Corbyn. The Labour leader is the subject of a new series on Radio 4, The Long March of Corbyn's Labour. Political journalist Steve Richards, who presented the first episode, discusses how to report on a polarising figure fairly.

    The BBC's Head of News, Fran Unsworth, has stressed the need for the BBC to attract - and keep - a younger audience for its news programmes. Radio 1 and 1Xtra's Newsbeat is at the forefront of that effort to get young people to develop a BBC habit early in life. Roger goes behind the scenes with editor Debbie Ramsey and the team to find out how they're attempting to do that.

    And a recent Radio 4 programme has won praise from listeners for its creative approach to the round table discussion. In My Dream Dinner Party, presenters Omid Djalili, Howard Jacobson and Sally Phillips have all hosted a meal with guests brought back to life by the creative use of the radio archive. The series producers Sarah Peters and Peregrine Andrews explain how they set about making the programmes.

    Presenter: Roger Bolton

    Producer: Will Yates
    Executive Producer: Katherine Godfrey
    A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

    28 min
  • Drivetime Radio 2, Grenfell Inquiry Podcast, Brexit Vote

    Roger Bolton returns with a new series, answering your comments, complaints and queries about BBC radio.

    BBC Radio 2 is the most popular radio station in the UK with around 15.6 million listeners a week and the Simon Mayo Drivetime show was one of its success stories with a weekly audience of nearly 6 million. But last month the programme was relaunched, with Jo Whiley joining Simon as co-presenter. Many listeners were outraged at the decision and have been bombarding social media and the Feedback inbox with complaints ever since. Lewis Carnie, the Head of Radio 2, explains why he decided to change a successful programme.

    Roger also speaks to BBC Head of Current Affairs, Joanna Carr, about The Grenfell Tower Inquiry podcast, fronted by Eddie Mair, which day-by-day follows the inquiry into the deaths of 72 people in the West London tower block fire.

    The BBC's Assistant Political Editor, Norman Smith, gives the inside track on reporting on a tumultuous week in UK politics, and we find out why Radio 3's Evensong came to an abrupt halt half way through a live performance.

    Presenter: Roger Bolton

    Producer: Will Yates
    Assistant Producer: Karen Pirie
    Executive Producer: Katherine Godfrey

    A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

    28 min
  • 20/04/2018

    Roger Bolton hosts a Brexit special and also asks if the BBC was right to air the Rivers of Blood speech in full.

    A panel of high-ranking BBC journalists and executives chew over listener complaints about the corporation's coverage of Brexit. Before the referendum, Feedback was inundated with complaints from listeners who felt that the BBC was overly biased in favour of Remain. But, in the months that have followed, that has shifted and the programme now receives more complaints from Remainers who see the BBC as the Brexit Broadcasting Corporation - in part thanks to a concerted online campaign.

    Ric Bailey the BBC's Chief Political Adviser, Gavin Allen the controller of the BBC's daily news programming, and Today presenter Nick Robinson respond to listener complaints from all sides.

    And, with some listeners saying that BBC comedy is too prone to bashing Brexit, is it possible to write a perfectly balanced comedy sketch? Cabin Pressure creator John Finnemore takes up the challenge.

    A recent edition of Archive on 4 dealing with Enoch Powell's 1968 Rivers of Blood speech quickly became the most talked about radio programme of the year. The documentary featured actor Ian McDiarmid recreating the speech in full interspersed with analysis from contributors. But news of the broadcast of the speech in full caused many to question the BBC's judgement and motives. Mohit Bakaya, the Radio 4 commissioner for the programme, explains the reasoning.

    Presenter: Roger Bolton

    Producer: Will Yates
    Executive Producer: Katherine Godfrey
    A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

    31 min
  • 06/04/2018

    Has BBC News over-reported allegations of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party? Also, Roger Bolton has breakfast with Petroc Trelawny, Home Front's editor discusses the end of the series, listeners weigh in on Soul Music, and Michael Sandel discusses The Public Philosopher.

    Listeners have been speaking to Feedback about the BBC's coverage of Jeremy Corbyn's recent attendance at a controversial seder dinner, which reignited the ongoing row over claims of anti-Semitism in his party. Some cite this as evidence that the BBC is anti-Corbyn.

    Meanwhile, Feedback listeners have been singing the praises of Michael Sandel's The Public Philosopher, praising in particular an edition where he led a debate on the question of Citizens of Nowhere. Michael Sandel joins Roger from Harvard to talk about how the programme aims to bring a more measured and philosophical lens to urgent politicial questions, such as those about Brexit.

    When it wraps up in November this year, the drama Home Front will have run for nigh on 600 episodes. Editor Jessica Dromgoole explains what its like to reach the final leg of what has been an extremely ambitious journey, and historical adviser Professor Maggie Andrews discusses how the series attempts to recreate the feel of First World War Britain.

    And some listeners have been in touch with Feedback to say that they've been fleeing the Today programme for the soothing tones of Petroc Trelawny on Radio 3. Fresh from his breakfast show, Petroc joins Roger for a cup of coffee to elucidate how he stays so calm so early in the morning.

    Presenter: Roger Bolton

    Producer: Will Yates
    Executive Producer: Katherine Godfrey
    A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

    28 min
  • 30/03/2018

    Roger Bolton hears from listeners concerned by coverage of anti-Brexit marches, Garry Richardson defends a controversial interview with Kim Hughes and Lynn Bowles says farewell.

    The weekend saw the March For Our Lives in Washington DC and a series of anti-Brexit marches across the UK, but BBC news executives only covered the first of these. Pro-EU listeners were incensed. UK News Editor Richard Burgess joins Roger Bolton to defend the BBC's decision and discuss what makes a demonstration newsworthy.

    Radio 2 listeners were practically inconsolable when beloved traffic reporter Lynn Bowles announced her departure from the network, with her final broadcast coming on Thursday. Lynn sits down with Roger to explain why she's leaving, look back on a career sat next to Terry Wogan, Ken Bruce and Chris Evans, and discuss her plans for the future.

    A ball tampering scandal has rocked the world of cricket, but Sportsweek presenter Garry Richardson made his own waves when he clashed with former Australian captain Kim Hughes while discussing the story on BBC Radio 5Live. After the presenter tried to hurry the interview to a close, Kim Hughes took offence and promptly hung up the phone. Garry Richardson then implied to a later guest that Hughes had been "boorish" - but, for some listeners, Garry was the one at fault for a regrettable incident. He talks to Roger about what happened.

    And the BBC released its annual plan this week, laying out schemes to combat fake news and appeal to younger audiences. Next week on Feedback, BBC Director of Radio and Music Bob Shennan joins the programme to chew over the BBC's long term plan for radio. Roger appeals to listeners for their questions.

    Producer: Will Yates

    A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

    28 min
  • 23/03/2018

    Roger Bolton with listener views on BBC radio. This week, the BBC World Service has made an unprecedented complaint to the UN, a drama divides the audience for its treatment of immigration and Brexit, the BBC puts a brake on plans to abandon FM transmitters and Fi Glover's emotional documentary.

    According to a complaint the BBC has registered with the UN, Iran has been harassing the families of BBC Persia journalists. The Director of the BBC World Service Group, Jamie Angus, sits down with Roger to discuss the grounds for complaint, what the BBC hopes the UN will do and the broader questions of impartiality and soft power facing the World Service.

    In The Expressing Room, Fi Glover heard the stories of mothers as they expressed milk for their premature or sick babies in the neonatal unit of St. Thomas' Evelina hospital. Many listeners contacting the Feedback inbox were overcome by these women's powerful stories. Fi and Roger discuss the challenges of making such a sensitive documentary.

    The BBC's Director of Radio Bob Shennan has given a speech addressing the future of radio in the internet age. He dropped in a key detail - the BBC is no longer in a hurry to turn off FM transmitters and switch to DAB. We hear from listeners who welcome the decision, and radio futurologist James Cridland helps Roger pick over the speech in more detail.

    And, an episode of The Ferryhill Philiosophers addressed questions of refugees and immigration. While some loved it, others thought it was patronising and anti-Brexit. Roger hears a selection of audience views.

    Presenter: Roger Bolton

    Producer: Will Yates
    Executive Producer: Katherine Godfrey
    A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

    28 min
  • 16/03/2018

    Roger Bolton asks if the BBC was slow to report allegations of sexual abuse in Telford, and the BBC's News Editor responds to concerns. Also this week - listeners' least favourite phrases, the new Welsh breakfast show, and memories of hearing the late Professor Stephen Hawking on the radio.

    After the Sunday Mirror reported allegations of wide ranging sexual abuse of more than 1000 girls over a 40 year period in Telford, a number of national commentators and columnists accused the BBC of failing to give the story sufficient attention and prominence. In particular, it was suggested that the BBC had been held back by political correctness, since many of the accused offenders are of Asian origin. What followed was a huge twitter storm, with users on both sides angrily disputing the BBC's coverage. The BBC's News Editor James Stephenson joins Roger o discuss how the corporation's news division approached the story.

    On A Point of View, sociologist Tom Shakespeare laid out with forensic ferocity why he hates the phrase "going forward" - prompting listeners to weigh in with their own linguistic bugbears. Tom sits down with Roger to discuss why people on the radio should watch their words.

    And the physicist Stephen Hawking was renowned all over the world as a physicist, but to Feedback listeners he was also an exceptional broadcaster, appearing on everything from Desert Island Discs and The Reith Lectures to the current series of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Fans of his warmth, clarity and humour tell their stories of hearing him on the radio.

    Producer: Will Yates

    A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

    28 min
  • 09/03/2018

    Roger Bolton asks if BBC journalists should describe political parties as "populist", discusses soft power with the head of BBC Arabic and finds out about the return of comedy to Radio 1 after more than a decade.

    In the wake of success for the Five Star movement and the Italian League in the Italian elections, listeners have been reacting to the BBC's description of them as "populist". Some consider that it implies a pejorative view of the parties in question? The BBC's Europe editor Katya Adler joins Roger to explain the meaning of the term and answer listener's questions.

    BBC Arabic has just celebrated 80 years since the launch of its radio service, still tasked with providing news in a challenging and volatile region for journalists. But does the influx of Foreign Office money to the BBC World Service risk undermining its reputation for impartiality and independence? Samir Farah, head of BBC Arabic, discusses soft power and the future of the service.

    Radio 1 was once known for launching the careers of legendary comedians, but it's been more than 10 years since the network dedicated programmes to comedy. That's about to change, with the arrival of a new wave of specially commissioned Radio 1 comedy podcasts. The commissioner behind it, Louise Kattenhorn, and Benjamin Partridge, creator of the hit podcast Beef and Dairy Network and the star of one of the new Radio 1 commissions, talk about how to bring podcast comedy to a Radio 1 audience.

    Presenter: Roger Bolton

    Producer: Will Yates
    Executive Producer: Katherine Godfrey
    A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

    24 min

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