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BBC World Service

Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin. Exploring the important questions about long-running stories and the latest global news. An honest, unvarnished, explanation of the world. 

Featuring new episodes of The President's Path, Unspun World with John Simpson, and The Media Show.

The Explanation

Trump's actions in Venezuela and the removal of Nicolás Maduro sparks talk of further US operations in the region. In this episode Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann look at the US operation that seized the President of Venezuela.
 
Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what is on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.uk

Senior Producer: Oksana Kundirenko 
Executive Producer: Anna Holford

The President’s Path: After Venezuela, what next for Trump?

Reports that major US newspapers delayed publishing details of the US raid in Venezuela have prompted renewed scrutiny of how journalists handle sensitive national security information. The decision by the New York Times and the Washington Post followed warnings from the White House that publication could endanger American troops, raising questions about press freedom, editorial independence and ethical responsibility. Max Tani, media editor at Semafor, outlines how the story emerged.

Debate over the US coverage has drawn attention to how similar situations are handled in the UK, where defence reporting operates under a voluntary advisory system. The Defence and Security Media Advisory Committee issues guidance intended to prevent the publication of material that could risk lives or compromise operations, while preserving press freedom. Brigadier Geoffrey Dodds OBE, Secretary of the DSMA Committee, and Larisa Brown, Defence Editor at The Times, discuss how the system works.
 
A ballot by the actors union Equity has found overwhelming support for industrial action over digital scanning of actors. Paul Fleming, General Secretary of Equity, sets out why the union is pressing producers for stronger protections as AI tools become more widespread.

The Media Show: Reporting the Venezuela operation

Have you ever wondered how reality TV gets made? Why some shows become instant classics, while others vanish without trace? In this special edition of The Media Show, four of the UK’s top creatives in unscripted television reveal their secrets. From The Traitors to Pointless, Hunted to Gogglebox, they discuss what makes a hit format, how casting decisions are made, how streamers and influencers are changing the landscape, and where the next big hit might come from. With Tim Harcourt, Chief Creative Officer, Studio Lambert; Matt Bennett, Director of Programmes, Shine Television; Tamara Gilder, Joint MD, Remarkable Entertainment; Art Sejdiu, Head of Commissioning Development, Channel Four.

Presenters: Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall
Producer: Dan Hardoon
Content producer: Lucy Wai
Researcher: Ruth Waites

The Media Show: How to Make a Hit TV Show

A look back at the first year of President Trump’s second term in office.
 
On this episode Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda, Bernd Debusmann and Courtney Subramanian discuss the moments that stood out to them in 2025.
 
Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.uk
 
Senior Producer: Aisling Taylor
Editor: Gareth Bebb
Executive Producer: Anna Holford

The President’s Path: Year in review

Time Magazine named “The Architects of AI” as their Person of the Year for 2025. This is a group of people, mostly men, who now wield an extraordinary level of influence over the future of society. The Media Show profiles four of them: Mike Isaac from The New York Times explains the rise of Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI; Lauren Goode from Wired outlines the power and beliefs of venture capitalist Marc Andreessen; Stephen Witt, biographer of Jensen Huang, describes how the Nvidia boss has built the chips powering modern AI; and Richard Spencer of The Times reports on DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng, whose work has challenged the dominance of US tech companies.

Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins
Content Producer: Lucy Wai
Production Coordinator: Ruth Waites

The Media Show: Meet The Tech Bros

A look at what the divisions in the Maga coalition mean for Trump.

On this episode Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann look at what the Maga coalition’s internal divides signal for Trump’s leadership.

Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.uk

Senior Producer: Oksana Kundirenko
Editor: Gareth Bebb
Executive Producer: Anna Holford

The President’s Path: Maga coalition cracks

A mass shooting at Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah event created major challenges for journalists trying to confirm fast-moving details. Newsrooms had to decide how to describe the attack, when to name suspects and how to treat unverified online posts. Jacqueline Maley, senior writer at the Sydney Morning Herald, explains the decisions behind early reporting and the influence of social media.
The UK government has begun a consultation on BBC charter renewal, which will shape the organisation from 2028. It raises questions about how the BBC is governed, how it supports producers across the UK and how it might be funded in the future. Options include subscription models, advertising and changes to licence fee income. Alex Farber, media correspondent at The Times, outlines what is being considered.
In Florida, Donald Trump has filed a defamation case against the BBC over an edited sequence in the Panorama documentary which triggered the resignation of the corporation’s Director General and its CEO of News. Stuart M Benjamin, professor of law at Duke University, sets out the legal issues.
Short, vertical micro dramas are becoming a major part of China’s entertainment industry, with revenues expected to exceed cinema box office figures. The format is spreading to other regions through low-cost, rapid production and app-based viewing. Mengchen Zhang from the BBC’s Global China Unit describes the trend in China, while Clare Thompson, non-executive director at K7 Media, outlines its international growth.

Presenters: Ros Atkins
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Content Producer: Lucy Wai
Production Coordinator: Ruth Waites

The Media Show: Reporting the Bondi beach attack

Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann look at how President Trump is tackling affordability and the cost of living for Americans.
 
Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.uk
 
Senior producer: Jack Surfleet
Editor: Gareth Bebb
Executive producer: Anna Holford

The President’s Path: Affordability

Netflix’s agreement to buy Warner Bros Discovery has triggered an immediate hostile counter-bid from Paramount, intensifying concerns within Hollywood about consolidation and streaming dominance. Natalie Jarvey, senior correspondent at The Ankler, and Dade Hayes, business editor at Deadline, assess why Warner Bros are in demand and what the takeover could mean for viewers.
Five broadcasters have now withdrawn from next year’s Eurovision Song Contest in protest at Israel’s participation. BBC Music reporter Mark Savage explains the latest developments.
Meta is reducing its investment in virtual-reality projects and directing greater resources into AI. The metaverse was once Mark Zuckerberg’s vision for the future of the company. Alex Hern, AI correspondent at The Economist, and Charlotte Henry, author of Streaming Wars, outline the implications.

Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Content Producer: Lucy Wai
Production Coordinator: Ruth Waites
Technical Coordinator: Chris Brown
Sound: Sarah Kimberley

The Media Show: Netflix’s Hollywood takeover drama

Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann look at how RFK Jr is shaping US health policy in President Trump’s second term.
 
Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.uk
 
Senior producer: Jack Surfleet
Editor: Gareth Bebb
Executive producer: Anna Holford

The President’s Path: The health of healthcare

Wilders’ Dutch victory sends tremors around Europe so why is migration now top of the European political agenda? Europe editor, Katya Adler, gives world affairs editor, John Simpson, her analysis. Also, once the ceasefires end, we ask Jeremy Bowen what does the future hold for Israel? And as COP28 opens with the head of the state oil company, Sultan al-Jaber, as its president, a BBC documentary, Breathless, exposes how oil giants are risking the health of millions in the Gulf with toxic air pollution.

Unspun World: How migration is changing European politics

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