Last week we aired a candid interview with the departing boss of the BBC World Service. This week listeners react to what Liliane Landor had to say - and reveal their hopes and fears for the future. Plus, the BBC is currently running a trial using Generative AI - artificial intelligence. We ask what it might mean for you the World Service listener. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service ..read more

It’s all change at the top of the BBC World Service as the boss for the past three years leaves. We ask the departing director Liliane Landor about the challenges she faced during her time at the helm. She gives us an honest personal appraisal of the highs and lows - and the challenges her successor faces. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service ..read more

We are now into the second year of changes affecting Focus on Africa and its switch to being primarily a podcast. So how is it going down with listeners? We hear your views - including on recent events in Kenya - and are joined in the studio for an update by its news editor, Alice Muthengi. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon. A Whistledown production for BBC World Service ..read more

We get your comments on one writer’s endless curiosity about the effects of culture wars on ordinary lives. And we ask that journalist, Jon Ronson, about how he approached making the Things Fell Apart mini-series. Plus, a unique broadcast that is unlike anything else heard on the BBC World Service for the world’s smallest audience! We tell the story of the Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast 2024. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service ..read more

It was back in May 2022 that OTY reported on the launch of a new weekly podcast called Lives Less Ordinary - from the Outlook team. Producers describe the show as a chance to step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected. So how has it bedded in? We hear listeners’ comments and also from its production team. Plus, it has been three months since the Fifth Floor moved to its new weekend slot but a listener tells us she is not happy with the schedule change. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for the BBC World Service ..read more

We hear how listeners feel about the BBC World Service's reporting on the plethora of elections around the world. By way of a case study, we focus on India and hear about the challenges faced by the corporation in reporting the country’s recent elections. We are joined from Delhi by the BBC’s director of journalism with the Collective Newsroom, Mukesh Sharma. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon. A Whistledown production for BBC World Service ..read more

It was back in May 2022 that this programme reported on the launch of a new weekly podcast called Lives Less Ordinary from the Outlook team. Producers describe the show as a chance to step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected. Extraordinary stories from around the world. Two years on we ask listeners how they feel it has bedded in. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon. A Whistledown production for BBC World Service ..read more

We hear your thoughts on series three of Dear Daughter which bills itself as a “handbook to life”. We are joined by its presenter Namulanta Kombo and producer Lucy Burns. Listeners ask if the series only appeals to women. Could there be letters from fathers to daughters or sons and express appreciation for the new run having more complicated and difficult conversations. Plus, a listener in the US feels the World Service’s reporting of the UK’s general election is proving to be too “England-centric”. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon. A Whistledown production for BBC World Service ..read more

A listener recently told us how he found correspondents' news reports that are repeated across different news shows “irritating”. We hear whether you agree with him. We invited BBC Newshour editor Tim De Faramond to respond listeners and understand why this repetition happens. Plus, a listener feels a recent History Hour was wrong in its use of terminology. The show’s production team respond. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon. A Whistledown Production for BBC World Service ..read more

The BBC World Service has launched its Global China Unit, a new team that will focus on reporting stories on the country’s role in the world. Listeners say its opening is vital but also ask if coverage of China will be fair and balanced. We speak with the BBC executive who will help run the team. Presenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Howard Shannon A Whistledown production for BBC World Service ..read more