The Documentary Podcast: Archive 2011

Dancehall singer Sean Paul, Hip hop star Missy Elliot and Malian singer Habib Koite all use a deceptively simple but hypnotic beat from the heart of Africa in some of their biggest hits. But what is it? Music journalist Rita Ray journeys to Ghana to find out.

Nina Robinson goes to Detroit where police have killed a seven-year-old girl while conducting a raid filmed for a reality TV programme. She finds a city asking deep questions about the way the media cover crime.

In this four-part documentary, Gary Bryson travels across South East Asia to explore freedom of speech and democracy. In part two he goes to Cambodia. How is the country's fledging media dealing with a nation still scarred by widespread murder and violence?

After allegations of torture and targeted killings, how can the CIA hope to repair its damaged reputation? The Spy Cruise has been set up for the public to sail around the Caribbean with ex-CIA chiefs and discuss global security - but who really gains?

The BBC's Magdi Abdelhadi - himself Egyptian-born - relives the drama on the final days of Mubarak's 30 year rule and talks to Egyptians about their hopes for the future.

In part two of Europe's New Politics, the BBC's Chris Bowlby travels to Austria and Germany to investigate the rise of populist politics there.

In this four-part documentary, Gary Bryson travels across South East Asia to explore freedom of speech and democracy. In part one he goes to Indonesia. How is independent media faring since the fall of Suharto's dictatorship?

This series has shown how China is barrelling ahead with new infrastructure and new strategies to import the latest industrial technologies

"Mosquito one, mosquito two, mosquito jump in a hot callaloo." What are the world's most popular number rhymes and how do they overlap between different cultures? Kim Normanton looks at the different approaches to counting around the world.

Chris Bowlby investigates for Assignment how the far right is influencing mainstream European politics. He travels to Scandinavia where anti-immigration parties are increasingly powerful. The Danish People's Party has cleverly used its hold on the balance of power to introduce harsh measures. And the Sweden Democrats have rapidly increased their share of the vote, claiming that public services are being swamped by immigrants.