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BBC World Service

The Explanation

After Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapsed, Syrian media enters a new chapter. Kholoud Helmi, co-founder of the independent paper Enab Baladi, reflects on her publication’s journey from clandestine reporting during Assad’s era to hopes for unfiltered journalism in today’s Syria. Sednaya prison, long shrouded in secrecy, has become a focal point for journalists and families of the missing. Freelance journalist Edmund Bower, reporting for The Times, recounts his access to the site. 
 
The murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has sparked polarising reactions online, including the celebration by some of his alleged killer Luigi Mangione. Mia Sato from The Verge discusses the public’s focus on systemic healthcare failings, while influencer Michael McWhorter notes a striking lack of online detective interest in the case. 
 
Ben Strick, director of investigations at the Centre for Information Resilience, shares the principles of open-source investigations in an advent calendar he has created to highlight his work. He explains how tools like reverse image searches and flight trackers have aided investigative journalism, offering examples from global conflicts to everyday reporting. 
 
Presenters: Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall 
Producer: Simon Richardson 
Assistant producer: Lucy Wai

The Media Show: Reporting Syria and reaction to Luigi Mangione

A report by CNN from inside a Syrian prison has become a flashpoint for media scrutiny after the featured prisoner, initially presented as a victim, was identified as a former member of Assad’s Air Force Intelligence Directorate. David Folkenflik, Media Correspondent for NPR, examines the ethical dilemmas and journalistic standards in such high-stakes reporting. 

ABC News reached a $15m settlement with Donald Trump over a defamation claim stemming from false statements made by one of its star presenters. Katie Fallow, Deputy Litigation Director at the Knight First Amendment Institute, explores the legal complexities of defamation cases involving public figures and the implications for media accountability in a polarised landscape. 

The Map Men, winners of TikTok’s UK and Ireland video of the year, have turned their passion for maps into viral success. Jay Foreman, one half of the duo, discusses their creative process, the balance between humour and education in their work, and how their unique take on cartography resonates with audiences across platforms. 

Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins 
Producer: Lucy Wai 
Assistant Producer: Martha Owen

The Media Show: CNN’s Syria report controversy

Decoding the Kremlin’s warspeak to understand the power of propaganda as a weapon of war. “Let’s cut dill”, “a pop of cotton”, “meat assault”: expressions the average foreigner might struggle to understand. We analyse Moscow’s military jargon; in part two of this mini-series, we’ll explore Kyiv’s answer to it.

Producer: Kriszta Satori, Vitaly Shevchenko
Presenter: Krassi Twigg

The Global Jigsaw: The language of war: Russia

Advertising executive Sir John Hegarty has created campaigns for some of the world's most famous brands including Levi's, Lynx, and Audi. He was a founding partner of Saatchi and Saatchi before co-founding his own firm, Bartle Bogle Hegarty, in 1982. But he believes that advertising today has lost sight of creativity, in its relentless focus on data and targeted advertising. He joins Ros Atkins to discuss his career, his theory of creativity, and the future of his industry. 
 
Presenter: Ros Atkins 
Producer: Dan Hardoon

The Media Show: Jeans, cars, deodorant

Kyiv’s answer to the Kremlin’s warspeak. In part one of this miniseries, we focused on Russia’s case, trying to see through Moscow’s war propaganda: its purpose and building blocks. In this episode, we turn to the Ukrainian side of this linguistic tug or war. Here we find that language itself is at the heart of this conflict, fuelling Ukraine’s “linguistic decolonisation”. 

Producer: Kriszta Satori
Presenter: Krassi Twigg

The Global Jigsaw: The language of war: Ukraine

We explore the key media trends shaping 2025. From the rise of AI in journalism to how social platforms are transforming news, challenges in media funding and the future of regulation. With insights from Madhumita Murgia of the Financial Times, Charlotte Tobitt from Press Gazette and Rebecca Jennings from Vox. 

Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins 
Producer: Simon Richardson

The Media Show: media trends in 2025

Ahead of President Trump’s return to The White House, Meta is replacing its US fact-checking program with a new “user-driven” approach called Community Notes. Angie Drobnic Holan, Director of the International Fact-Checking Network, explains the implications of this decision and whether decentralising moderation can effectively address misinformation. 

Piers Morgan, broadcaster and former host at Rupert Murdoch’s News UK, has announced his decision to leave and focus on his YouTube channel. Julia Angwin, investigative journalist and fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, explains how this reflects the broader rise of independent content creators. Joey Contino, TikTok news influencer, shares how he has built a loyal following through accessible and direct reporting. Alessandra Galloni, Editor-in-Chief of Reuters, considers how traditional media organisations can adapt to these trends. 

Grand Theft Auto 6 is shaping up to be a landmark release in gaming history. With its first female protagonist, advanced AI, and immersive gameplay mechanics, the game is expected to push boundaries in both technology and storytelling. Vic Hood, freelance gaming journalist, examines the franchise’s enduring appeal and how this instalment could set new benchmarks in the gaming industry. 

Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins 
Producer: Simon Richardson 
Assistant producer: Lucy Wai

The Media Show: Meta drops fact-checkers and Grand Theft Auto 6 hype builds

Why are there democracy protests in Hong Kong? Anu Anand talks to Stephen McDonell.

The Explanation is a snackable audio guide giving you the backstory behind the headlines. In each episode, presenter Anu Anand meets a BBC News correspondent who has lived and breathed these stories. She’ll hear clear analysis along with powerful archive. The Explanation will go back in time to unpack complex chains of events and will make the stories in question much easier to understand.

Understanding democracy in Hong Kong

How did the relationship between Israelis and Palestinians reach its current point? Jeremy Bowen talked to Anu Anand in 2021 about the backstory behind the headlines.

Israeli-Palestinian relations

Anu Anand talks to Rana Rahimpour about how decades of turbulence have shaped Iran, and why religion, democracy and ideals all combine to explain Iran today.

Understanding Iran: Reconciling religion and democracy

What is the difference between a war crime, a crime against humanity and genocide? And who holds those responsible to account?

Anna Holligan, the BBC's correspondent in The Hague, gives an insight into how the International Criminal Court works. She shares some of the cases of those who have been charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community, from Congolese warlord Thomas Lubang to Bosnian Croat war criminal Slobodan Praljak.

Presenter: Claire Graham
Producer: Owen McFadden

What is a war crime?

What is a war crime?

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