Feedback

Roger Bolton with listener views on BBC radio.

The World at One has courted controversy by dedicating a whole show to the topic of abortion, marking 50 years since the passage of the 1967 Abortion Act. Some listeners found the coverage upsetting, while others were annoyed that one subject had been allowed to take over what they see as, first and foremost, a news programme. But some listeners say they found the focus both timely and touching. Roger hears views from all sides.

Neil MacGregor has a new 30-part series, Living with the Gods, following in the footsteps of his enormously popular previous programmes examining historical objects. But does the BBC spend too much time on religion? And is radio the right medium for a programme about objects you can't see? Neil addresses these questions and talks about his aims for the series.

Last week, Radio 4 Commissioning Editor for Drama Jeremy Howe appeared on Feedback answering concerns over his decision to air unsettling horror The Omen as the Book at Bedtime. This week, listeners give their verdict on both The Omen and the book which came next, Philip Pullman's La Belle Sauvage.

Finally, Feedback has been inviting listeners to share stories of how radio has changed their lives. This week, listener Lou Moore describes how a chance radio encounter with Desert Island Discs became a turning point in her life and career.

Producer: Nicola Kelly

Roger Bolton airs listener criticism of a Today programme interview with the director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders on sexual harassment.

A record number of sex offenders have been brought to justice in England and Wales and convictions for both rape and other sexual offences have risen sharply. But despite topping the news agenda, some listeners were not happy with John Humphrys' tone and line of questioning.

Also, Radio 4's Commissioning Editor of Drama and Fiction Jeremy Howe discusses his decision to run The Omen as last week's Book at Bedtime.

Following regulatory changes, Roger talks to Sophie Chalk from Voice of the Listener and Viewer, a public service lobby group, about who now holds accountability for the BBC - its Board or Ofcom.

And how did a particular programme or report change your life? Listener Ed Green tells us why Glyn Worsnip's A Lone Voice affected him.

Producer: Kate Dixon

The Editor of PM defends his programme against listeners' accusations that presenter Eddie Mair's interview with Home Secretary Amber Rudd was hostile and biased. Roger Sawyer discusses the presenter's robust style of interviewing and sets out his editorial stance on the presentation of this and other items on the programme.

When Amber Rudd sought to bring the focus of the interview back to the policy announcements made by the Prime Minister at the Party Conference, listeners expressed their frustration with Eddie Mair's questioning. We speak to those who suggest that the presenter didn't allow for an informed discussion of the Conservative Party's policies, but focused instead on the Prime Minister's misfortunes, most notably her well-documented cough. Roger Sawyer explains these editorial decisions and discusses the sanctioning of coverage such as the use of gunfire on the recent Las Vegas shooting item.

And we hear from one listener dissatisfied with Winifred Robinson's latest programme on home education, 'Out of School, Out of Sight'. Fee Berry speaks to Roger Bolton about her view that the programme should have been more carefully balanced.

Also, listeners discuss their reactions to Feedback's interview last week with the new Editor of the Today programme, Sarah Sands and we hear from those involved in the introduction of the BBC World Service's new Pidgin English programming.

Presenter: Roger Bolton

The new Editor of Today defends her programme against listeners' accusations that coverage is no longer focused on the news. Sarah Sands addresses concerns that 'softer' features have taken priority, discusses the future of the presenting team and sets out her vision for the future of Today.

When the programme ran several items on Fashion Week, a long interview with actress Judi Dench and on-location reporting from Silicon Valley on the launch of a new Apple smartphone, listeners wrote in to express their dissatisfaction with the coverage. Many stated that the emphasis for Today should be on news rather than features, with more analysis from BBC correspondents. Sarah Sands explains why this coverage was of relevance to the Today audience and discusses her plans to attract new audiences.

Also, we hear mixed reviews from listeners in response to the five-part series, 'Whodunnit: The Calendar Conspiracy'' examining the theory that when you are born has a direct impact on educational and professional success.

And the BBC responds to listeners' claims that there is a geographical bias in coverage favouring natural disasters that occur in the United States rather than the developing world.

Presenter: Roger Bolton

In the last programme of the current series, Roger Bolton digs in to controversy about climate change, hears listener response to the BBC's Gay Britannia season and discusses Jim Al-Khalili's broadcasting career.

Well known climate sceptic and former Chancellor Lord Nigel Lawson was invited onto Radio 4's Today programme to discuss the economics of climate change recently, following up an earlier interview with climate campaigner Al Gore. But Lord Lawson also took the opportunity to question some of the established science of climate change. The controversy quickly filled up the Feedback inbox - many were deeply angry that a non-scientist had been brought on to discuss the topic and complained that Today's Justin Webb had not done enough to challenge his position. Professor Steve Jones, who wrote an independent report on impartiality and accuracy in science broadcasting for the BBC in 2011, joins Roger to discuss the interview.

To commemorate 50 years since the passing of the Sexual Offences act, the BBC has been running an extensive season of programmes under the umbrella Gay Britannia. Listeners respond to the series. Was it diverse enough in its portrayal of LGBT people? Was there too much of it altogether? And some people take issue with the BBC's use of the word "queer".

Producer: Kate Taylor

Roger Bolton presents a special edition of the programme, exploring science on the radio.

Are BBC science programmes just "jocular froth"? That's the view of one listener, who speaks for many as he puts his point directly to Deborah Cohen, the Editor of Science Radio.

Jim Al-Khalili, presenter of The Life Scientific, discusses the scientific consensus around man-made climate change and how that should affect the way the BBC covers the issue.

Tom Feilden, Science and Environment Editor of the Today programme, explores the psychology of the news agenda and the reporting of controversial topics such as homeopathy.

Comic Robin Ince, who presents The Infinite Monkey Cage, discusses the blending of science with comedy.

And Chris Sizemore, the Commissioning Editor for the digital side of the Tomorrow's World season reveals an early preview of a brand new science podcast.

This special edition of Feedback was recorded at the end of July.

Produced by Kate Taylor

Roger Bolton asks if Radio 5 Live was right to interview a controversial columnist, discusses BBC plans to reinvent audio, and finds out how to relax a Prom.

Kevin Myers was the subject of enormous public backlash after he published a column in the Irish edition of the Sunday Times that many saw as anti-semitic. So should Radio 5 Live have invited him onto Emma Barnett's 5 Live daily for an interview? He apologised, and tried to explain his position, but Feedback listeners are split on whether the interview was well judged and sufficiently robust.

Radio 4's Partition Voices coincides with the 70th anniversary of the partition of India, bringing the history to life with often heartbreaking stories from people who experienced it first hand and are now in the UK. The presenter, Kavita Puri, discusses why these stories are only now being heard.

In the annual plan published a few weeks ago, the BBC unveiled ambitious plans to "reinvent and grow audio". But with impressive audience figures released on Thursday, radio seems to be so far so good - so what changes are on the horizon? And what does "reinventing audio" actually mean? Roger finds out by speaking with Andrew Caspari, the BBC's acting controller of Radio and Music, Multiplatform.

Finally, this year's Proms have brought a very different kind of performance to the Royal Albert Hall - the first ever "relaxed prom", designed for children and adults with autism, sensory and communication impairments and learning disabilities. Feedback finds out more about the creation of this unique event - and what the audience made of the experience.

A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

Roger Bolton looks at the BBC's coverage of Donald Trump, the Dead Ringers team reveal what spurred them on in their latest popular series, and listeners react to the news that Saturday Review has been granted a late reprieve.

At a press conference shortly after his inauguration, Donald Trump referred to the BBC's Jon Sopel as "Another beauty". On this week's Feedback, the beauty himself joins Roger to consider listener response to his coverage, how the BBC tries to remain impartial in the face of an unusual presidency and whether the BBC is giving either too much or too little credence to the ongoing allegations of collusion between Donald Trump's campaign and Russia.

Many listeners have contacted Feedback to say how much they've enjoyed the latest series of Dead Ringers. So how do they do it? Jan Ravens, Jon Culshaw and Lewis Macleod discuss why breakneck news can make for blistering satire.

In April, Radio 4 announced the cancellation of long running arts staple Saturday Review. Feedback listeners were furious - and made their views clear in no uncertain terms. This week, Radio 4 controller Gwyneth Williams announced an abrupt - but possibly temporary - reversal of the decision. Saturday Review enthusiasts respond to the news.

Patricia Greene has been on The Archers since the 1950s, playing the much loved Jill Archer. So when the now 86 year old actress was played a clip of herself as Jill from 1959 during an interview on Woman's Hour she barely recognised her own voice. Listeners react to a special radio moment.

Producer: Will Yates

As parliament starts the summer recess, the BBC's assistant political editor Norman Smith looks back at a tumultuous few months in Westminster, talking with Roger Bolton about the challenges of working under intense scrutiny and accusations of bias from MPs and on social media.

This week, the BBC released its annual report, including the names and wage brackets of 96 of its on-air talent who are all paid over 150 thousand pounds a year. Licence fee payers give us their thoughts on presenter pay.

In last week's programme, we discussed listener complaints about an exceptionally graphic story in Bridget Kendall's Cold War: Stories from the Big Freeze. To make sense of the discussion, Feedback chose to re-broadcast the clip. Were we right to do so? Listeners share their differing views on the issue.

Finally, Roger continues his series of Open Mic interviews with prominent BBC presenters. This week, he's joined by Clive Anderson of Loose Ends and Unreliable Evidence. Has Clive's notoriously sharp-edged humour mellowed over time?

Producer: Will Yates

Roger Bolton investigates audience responses to BBC radio programmes.

A number of listeners were shocked to hear description of an act of torture and murder on Radio 4's lunchtime series Cold War: Stories from the Big Freeze and considered it overly graphic for the time of day. Should listeners have been given more warning about the unsettling nature of the story? And was the station right to broadcast it at all? Producer Phil Tinline and Radio 4's Editorial Standards Editor Roger Mahony answer listener complaints.

And, has radio become just a bit too fast? Radio 3 is spearheading a trend towards "Slow Radio", which uses ambient sounds and unusually long programmes to provide listeners with a relaxing antidote to rolling news and action packed documentaries. Feedback reporter Rebecca Pearce explores how this trend originated in Norway and is now migrating onto BBC Radio. She speaks to Norwegian Slow TV pioneer Thomas Hellum and to Horatio Clare, the presenter of Radio 3's recent Sound Walk.

Also, Music to Strip To gave the Radio 4 audience a quick blast of burlesque culture, catching the imagination of one listener in particular. He interviews the producer, Steve Urquhart.

Producer: Will Yates