Over to You

Purple Heart Warriors is a time-travelling drama about the Japanese-American legends of the 442nd regiment who fought the Nazis in World War Two. We hear listeners’ reactions and we are joined by its director and producer. Plus, a listener wonders if the BBC has a language guide for the proper use of terminology? Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

Last weekend we aired your comments on news that the BBC World Service was axing a number of shows later this year. This week we have the boss of the WS English Jon Zilkha in the studio to answer your questions and explain why it’s happening and the criteria behind which shows have been chosen to end. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

The BBC World Service says that despite a recent increase in grant-aid support from the UK government, the extra cash is not enough to maintain all its English language service programmes. As a result some shows are facing the axe later this year. We’ll tell you which programmes are involved - and also hear listeners’ reactions. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

In a special edition, Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th US president was comprehensively covered by all BBC World Service news shows, including a special edition of the Global News Podcast. But what challenges do the Trump presidency present for journalists, including the BBC’s news teams? We’re joined by a senior news editor and we hear listeners’ feedback. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon. A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service

This week we look at Health Check. With so many issues and breakthroughs to choose from, how do they decide what to cover? We hear from the show’s presenter Claudia Hammond and listeners tell us what they think. Plus how a listener feels a first-hand report on the LA fires burning down a BBC reporter’s own house was “extraordinary radio”. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon. A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service

The Arts Hour’s annual comedy special aired at New Year but how well does comedy translate to a global audience, a listener asks of the show's team. Plus, how a listener in Australia would like to hear more impartial commentators and fewer politicians on World Questions. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

What role does language play in the propaganda of war? The Global Jigsaw has been asking that very question following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We hear from the show's presenter and listeners give us their thoughts on what they have learned about the power of the spoken word. Plus, one listener complains too many programmes are becoming “inane chatter”. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

For our first show of the new year, four listeners from Brazil, the US, the UK and Italy set the agenda for what they would like from the BBC World Service in the coming year. Do they want different types of programmes, does news fatigue affect them, and how much do they feel the BBC World Service is still needed in 2025? Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service

It is our annual Ask the Controller special as we have the boss of BBC World Service English Jon Zilkha in the studio to answer your questions. How much are budgetary cuts affecting programme quality? What do you like and what concerns do you have about the BBC World Service? And what would you like to hear more of in 2025? Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

The latest series in the World of Secrets strand is Finding Mr Fox, an investigation of a miscarriage of justice involving two sailors. But could this series’ conclusion be described as a “spectacular anti-climax”? The show’s two presenters respond to listeners’ comments. Plus, after a listener recently complained about an annoying echo sound effect used in programme trailers, we air the reverberations that has caused. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

Listeners assess the documentary Me and My Digital Twin. “A comprehensive synopsis” or “pure nonsense and fantasy”? The presenter responds. Plus a listener complains The Conflict, a show about learning the lessons of history, fails to do just that with its own timeline for the Middle East. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

BBC Trending is the show that brings you in-depth reporting on the world of social media. But it is an ever-changing online landscape so how does the show’s production team keep up? We hear listeners’ views and questions. Plus Over to You's annual ask the controller edition - do you have any questions or gripes - for the boss of World Service English? Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

We examine trust, a fundamental cornerstone of the BBC but one that has come under renewed scrutiny and criticism following recent events and the continued prevalence of disinformation. We hear listeners’ views on whether they feel trust is being eroded and are joined in the studio by the controller of World Service English, Jon Zilkha. Presenter Rajan Datar Producer Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

It was billed as too close to call right up to the night itself, but in the end the US presidential election saw a clear victory for the Republicans. We hear listeners' views on World Service coverage of the vote, and are joined in the studio by the team behind the election night show America Decides. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon. A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service

Hard Talk is a long-standing in-depth interview programme but it is now facing the chop. Listeners give us their views about its proposed closure. And the BBC tells us why the decision to end the show is being taken. Plus, a listener argues that special effects used in some programme trailers are off putting. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

How do you keep the World Service’s flagship foreign investigations series fresh and relevant? We meet the editor and a producer from the documentary strand Assignment and we hear listeners’ feedback on recent editions, including one on the war in Ukraine. Plus, we hear listeners' reaction to the news that Hard Talk potentially faces the axe next March. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

The Food Chain examines the business, science and cultural significance of food and what it takes to put food on your plate. But is it passing judgement on what people eat? Or simply advising them about what it is they are putting into their mouths? We are joined by its presenter Ruth Alexander and we hear listeners’ feedback. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

What makes for a good story from a BBC correspondent? And how do you ensure there is enough variety in a programme devoted to these first-hand reports? That is the weekly task of From Our Own Correspondent - soon to celebrate 70 years on air. We hear listeners’ views and we are joined by its editor, Richard Fenton-Smith. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

We hear listeners' reactions to the BBC Eye investigation The Midwife’s Confession, which deals with the topic of infanticide in India - and in particular of baby girls. “It’s the responsibility of the BBC World Service to tell this story” says one listener. We are joined on the line from Delhi by the programme's presenter Amitabh Parashar and editor Ankur Jain. And a warning: some might find the discussion upsetting. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

We hear your feedback on how the BBC World Service has covered an incredibly busy summer of sport - from big football tournaments to the Olympics. Over the top - or under-reported? The network’s head of sport Colin Patterson responds to your comments. Presenter Rajan Datar Producer Howard Shannon. A Whistledown Production for the BBC WS