Read this: 08/03/2019 Radio 4 Feedback

BBC sounds music Radio podcasts wrong all these years hello I'm on the Today programme now and I'm going to talk a little bit like this and project my voice and I realised it's much more interesting to listen to people who have a conversation more being themselves.

Well.

I try and feedback this week today is Matthew Price will be explaining why presenting beyond today requires a certain readjustment in style plus.

It feels death-defying Laura Bicker is the BBC's its own correspondent faced with the shall we say factually and reliable president of North Korea and the United States how did she cut through the spin at last week's Hanoi Summers kiss is preparing to go on the 6:00 news the North Koreans announced by the way you're holding a press conference which made made my eyebrows.

What also this week Jonathan Dimbleby has announced he is to leave any questions reactions have been mixed is the best news.

I've heard for a long time.

He's been so very good at it will be a hard act to follow and radio presenter the Game of Thrones what makes its fantasy epic tumanbay, so addictive 107 console with 18 seductive and exciting to me.

It's what radios make for first BBC Washington correspondent Laura Bicker had to get used to this fake news fake news another beauty fake news Laura has now moved to South Korea where she's had the responsibility for leading coverage of last week's talks between president Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump on trade and nuclear disarmament and this week.

She had to report and analyse claims that instead of dismantling one of its missile sites, North Korea was in.

Rebuilding it I talk to her earlier on the line from sell Laura Bicker this one of your fans on Twitter says this it's a massive joke in our house, but if you Laura show up somewhere in the world things are about to go horribly wrong a horribly wrong there.

Just aren't going horribly write it having when it comes to do what they wanted from the Hanoi summit it certainly wasn't for both sides to walk away without a deal.

There was a lot of Hope here that there was finally going to be an agreement to end the war so everywhere you went people I call you know it's going to be in end of War equipment the summit.

Yes, I've heard this and became Chinese whispers.

Where as I was asking a Debbie Downer I was this women of Doom and Gloom everywhere.

I went because I was hearing from those close to the negotiation team that things were not going well, but wanted to find out what's really going on.

You'll find for example of when the breakdown happens if there's an immediate account by either side to as it will protect themselves and to give a and account which have transferred the blame neatly to the other side or was there this time a real sense of I'm not sure what happens next this thing is what were talking about it still when Donald Trump called his press conference.

We were wondering about how he was going to spend this when it comes to the North Koreans it's a very very different kettle of fish because we never really get to know and what's happening in Pyongyang anyone who calls themselves a North Korean expert the probably not telling you the exact route to guess they might know lots about North Korea but it's history about its administration about how it works.

They may even be regularly going in and out of North Korea but no one really knows what's going on in the corridors of power and then the wee hours of the morning.

Just as I was preparing to go on the 6:00 news the North Koreans announced by the we were holding a press conference which made made my eyebrows go what I mean.

I've never heard of them.

Calling a press conference so in the cold if you press to the hotel and then made this announcement saying this was the best offer I they were going to have on the table.

They're both sides are spinning it when you're trying to get information the trump administration it easier with in the white house or is easier getting information out of those close to the United States negotiation is very difficult getting any information from North Korea my name is Simon what particularly impresses me about Laura because coverage of career isn't she consistently present especially the question of North-South relations from the Korean perspective in contrast of the way other news organisations tend frame the issue when you did arrived and did you have to hold on? I must deliberately try and see this in a different way from the way I saw it when I was in the west.

That's exactly what I did a working at an office.

I'm the only Western Soi

Don't you have to make sure that everything that you're saying and doing reflex couriers wishes hope streams at because I think that it's part of the story.

I mean I come from a very tiny mining village in the middle of nowhere in the west coast of Scotland so it has to be relevant to someone they are and the best way to do that is to show that this is personal that this isn't some great big geopolitical drama, which of course it is, but you've got to show that this is meaningful to someone and whether that is about the divided families those families who were separated by the Korean War whether that's showing the faces and voices of defectors people who've risked their lives and travel the 5000 miles to gain freedom from North Korea you've got to make it relevant in the best way to do that is to make it about people know when you're off at this job.

Did you hesitate for a moment they wear in knighted states are not a bad life actually for correspondent quite easy to operate and somebody says South Korea to Joe Hart dropped now.

It jumped and one of the reason for that is because in Washington as brilliant as it was it was a thrilling ride but within the Washington Office within the BBC Washington office you are part Evie and amazing machine, but you're just a cold in that machine here.

It's me and there is an amazing responsibility and as part being having your own patch being able to report you on patch developing new and contacts developing your own style reporting here I can say do you know what I think this story is important? Why don't we put this on here? Where is in Washington it was always about what Donald Trump was thinking so that was driving the news agenda.

See here.

I get to drive the news agenda.

What's wrong with the Curse of Scotland and I came across this quote from you which I find it go to believe tell me is true.

I never believed.

I be a BBC foreign correspondent.

I could have a string of sentence together in school.

I was so painfully shy words got stuck in my throat and I would write answers down to let friends.

Speak for me.

Truth yeah, it was true and what happened at university and started to find my voice I came from a community which I felt didn't have a voice it was amazing me a Taylor the mines were closing down at that time.

I would have liked more to being said more to being highlighted about my own community and I felt as time went on and it was time to raise my own voice of no one was going to raise my voice for me and then I travelled after university can of the first time really outside the United Kingdom and I think it that moment as I won't more of this.

It's also please there's also lonely life.

Do you feel ever feel out on a limb we are writing you have to be a little bit cat like as a correspondent you have to enjoy your own time and you have to know that you are very self-reliant.

There are moments real moments where you sit down and go on my Guinness want my doing.

Why am I here but be good?

Quiz about you know there are moments then where you think I'm going to say I am here at the front row of history.

I'm in Hanoi or someone's just told you something you know you've you've been sitting down to tea with a defect your who's told you the story which just blows your mind these are stories experiences that I would never have otherwise yet.

It's a dream come true, but it is there are tough moments ointment to United States have you got it in South Korea I lie and say that I'm going hiking so you're not paragliding into North Korea no not anytime soon.

I think my editors might have something to say about that now in 1987 when Jonathan Dimbleby started to present any questions the best selling single was Rick Astley Never Gonna Give You Up for this week Jonathan and our city is now going.

To give up his Friday night gig the presenter of Radio 4 any questions Jonathan Dimbleby is to step down at the end of June after more than 30 years in the role dimblebee is 74 cm less than a year after his elder brother David step down from Question Time Jonathan is Stepping down from any questions, so however listeners greeted news of his imminent departure given about to read lines before you have a reputation for being the can however I do feel that sometimes.

He doesn't realise less is more sometimes.

It is best just to let things flow but obviously does have to mention of occasional mixed mixed views from the audience which may be able to hear at home.

I'm calling from Ash Hill in Norfolk

For a long time whilst I accept that it is the Germans job to ensure the audiences questions are answered.

He goes too far by introducing his own supplementary Richard Taylor Jonathan Dimbleby has made that rolled his own for so many years and has been so very good at it and it'll be a hard act to follow your thoughts on the upcoming departure of Jonathan Dimbleby from any questions by Michael Jackson was one of the most successful recording artist of all time, but this week 9 years after his death at the age of 50 the singer has returned to the headlines for far darker and disturbing reasons the first part of a documentary about two men who claim they were sexually abused by Michael Jackson is on Channel 4 The allegations of child abuse have shaken the world of music leading some to say his record should be banned from the airwaves that was online.

Justin that the BBC has now random and this week's edition of the Moral Maze on Radio 4 also discuss this difficult broadcasting dilemma individual create CRT Avenue in a completely misleading.

I mean I personally really don't agree with with suddenly forgetting someone since because if I don't I don't it's not something I would ever has Michael Jackson been banned from the BBC according to The Corporation that's not the case.

He has been played on BBC Radio recent days and they say they do not than individual artists we asked for representative at BBC music to come on and discuss the BBC's policy on this issue, but no one was available.

I videoed however send us this statement we consider each piece of music on its merits and decisions on what we play on different networks are always made with relevant audiences and context in mind.

Michael Jackson's music should be played on BBC Radio 4 about anything else you can email feedback at bbc.co.uk tweet us at BBC R4 feedback.

You can leave a phone message on 0333 444 4544 standard landline charges applied, but it could cost more on some mobile networks or of course you can write to feedback PO Box 67234 London se1p 4ax all those details are on our website one big question about one big story from the news and beyond every weekday teenager helium Matthew Price search for answers that will change the way we see the world well.

That's the promise of beyond today the podcast which comes from the Today stable.

It was launched in October is approaching its 100th Edition and judging by our inbox is hitting its target.

He's listening Victoria Brown I listen to the beyond.

Step cast every day I found it much more informal and relax and the Today programme and I think the 20-minute format works really well, it doesn't a lot more depth than I would normally go into in the news, which I really appreciate actually I think it's a really good opportunity to think a bit more deeply about subjects that I wouldn't normally think about so today.

We're asking can we collectively stop the insects from dying Adam hearted biologist broadcaster academic and insects Lord has a few ideas.

There's a real looker that lives down in South Africa called the Picasso bug Claxton a bit more reflective and they can include longer pieces from from people so for me the podcast like this actually give me something to

A bit more like a colour supplement in terms of the way that we accesses these information.

Thank you so much.

I Never Thought This after everything I say British this is a very good Amy Patterson I'm just outside bath beyond today is a really good example of the sort of explorative journalism, which I'm finding is more accessible and things like podcast Dan on normal radio at the moment and you can tell that the people who make the program are genuinely interested in hearing the voices in the humanity behind the headlines that we see.

Upcoming Theatre Broadcasting House I'm looking not for John on prison today.

I'm going to be on today by John are you looking for screenterrier news channel BBC World CNN he's going to be at church and it's just one of those one of the ways of keeping in touch this so this is like our meeting room where everything gets done with me every morning.

So there are 77 produces positive.

It is Matthew price on the percentage of children who consistently say to you Dad you're out of touch - 6 and 8 so they still hero-worship me, but I'm sure the fewest time will tell me about sometimes.

I feel duty out of touch because most of the team were in their late 20s early 30s are in their 20s and 30s and they will talk about things or personalities people trends whatever that I

And heard about and then the universe happens when I talk about something that actually I know from my experience over last 20 years.

He's really important in the world and also we're not interested in that and actually that's for the process with working on here.

I think we just been quite successful in terms of trying to have that cross-fertilization of ideas for left Liberty working to this programme pop next door to have a more considered.

Sorry now retreated to the quieter confines of a BBC studio John who is this for anyone else have a digital first experience of the news I suppose that's a very convoluted way of saying we know that young people in general people have grown up as digital natives and consume the news in different ways to more established audiences, so we're after smart engage people who will get that list of stories on the news app or on the news website or through their social media, but they want to know a bit more about what context to put it in whether there's room for some new want some more explanation some stories that are going to move them and make them really care because you just started in the sense.

You haven't had your 100th edition yet, but I do you have any measurement of your success.

Do you know how often this is getting downloaded? I mean little the audiences people are the people who measure all that target is to reach as

People have the younger audience under 35s as we can and build a habit of engaging with news on the daily basis that and that's what we have had this moon credible luxury in opportunity, but if you examine a are you rich in just don't know or you done the position.

Tell me honestly like the podcast number so that I don't have like a figure that I can give you can ask your mate about the subject matter when I looked at the website today and 3 things came up immediately upskirting 10 things you might not know about Stacey Dooley and the darker side of apps.

We have an iPhone now also went further than the stuff of cash me and elsewhere, but all that would suggest to me that you do have in mind a younger audience be able to go to him, so resilience to mine because the upskirting episode was about to send me this woman who had changed the law in Britain after someone to take a photograph up her skirt and we realise that actually there was a deeper story there.

How did she change the law? What did she actually do and say that?

Episode is actually a really interesting episode about how power works in this country.

It's about how politics works in this country.

It's about how one individual.

Can you have agency and change things it sounds in and of its title that say that yes, it's a bit clickbait.

He and his allowed of young people be really interested in this and there are a load of young people who really understood him.

It's but now there are a load of young people who really understand how that part of politics and power in this country work and you was looking for different style aren't you? I mean Tina de.

Healy is doing it for example.

I don't know no she went skiing last week.

I didn't what extent do you want to create a match friendly atmosphere and then gradually she's the store is out and everyone lives in abundance of information and so what is going to give people the space and what is going to provide people with a place where they'll feel comfortable spending some time with you and you know finding stuff out Matthew

I mean, I'm used to hearing you from The Fall hotspots around the world doing it.

I've got head on wonderful BBC correspondent job when you come to this, show do you take a deep breath and say I'm actually going to have to give a little more of myself.

Do you know the person you know I've had to do for the last 6 months and this has been a fascinating personal process and I don't think I'm quite there yet.

I've had to be institutionalized myself from these microphones in front of us now.

I think as broadcasters.

We all walk into a studio me sit down and go right.

I'm in a studio hello.

I'm on the Today programme now and I'm going to talk a little bit like this and project my voice and I realised in in podcast world and personally I think all the broadcasting could learn a bit from this.

It's much more interesting to listen to people who have a conversation more being themselves.

I suppose going into interviews much less with the sort of settled thought in my mind about like this is where we need to end up because we only have 2 minutes to get there actually got 20 minutes and it allows us to explore think so it's a different technique and vinyl.

What will be the measure of success when when will you say? I think we cracked is I think we really have got it right appearing on feedback is of sleeping messed up a little bit less than that.

It wasn't even a year ago that I first made the pitch you and starting from zero in it started with 10 mothers listening on October 29th of Never Was and I think the measure of success will be when we know that we have built a habit of young digital native people coming to us every day to experience the best of BBC journalism.

Thanks to John Shields am to Matthew Price editor and presenter of beyond today.

Well.

I tried and failed to find out from the editor.

How many people are in fact listening to the podcast The Corporation did tell us that while be on today is one of the BBC's best downloaded podcasts.

It does not release individual download figures.

Finally, what is undoubtedly an epic radio drama 21 episodes each of 45 minutes about already and it's not over yet.

I have to go now.

Please come back.

Please come back to Mississauga love and war power and intrigue it began in 2015 and is now in the middle of its third season I asked it's writer and creator John Dryden where the idea had come from its loosely inspired by The Mavericks and their Dynasty from Bob 11th century to the 16th century a lot of the personal accounts and letters and travellers accounts and things from this era are full of can a tall story is really you're not quite sure whether to believe them in a deserts that where does wins that ever take you and suddenly all your arms and legs fall off and Suffolk that stuff like that this kind of of the imagination and yet.

There's enough about it.

Well that historically known and it seemed like a great setting for an imaginary well because this is largely an imaginary world that we could use in some ways to reflect the world today because the characters and the language of timber is very very more than other way that they talk and think normal favours.

Speak to him now Richard Lindsay US Coldfield from Bolton to revise everything I love about radio drama great writing superb gatineau fantastic voices the sound is an is a stunning, what will John Dryden White Walkers created through it this is on TV now want to talk about it in the BBC doesn't do enough to shout about our great radio drama can be who is better.

Talk you again now must know capital of the work.

You've done your paper ticket attention to what people fresheners anywhere called the soundscape.

How important was that too because lost of listeners of said that's what the real attractions.

Yeah.

I mean with every production Amy when people talk about the sound design they often think of special effects and things that they really for me.

It's how the sound can propel the story and the characters and

How to be successful the audience almost shouldn't kind of notice it it should make the story more effortless to listen to because one of the hardest things with a series like tumanbay, is that it's a multi character story and in audio drama.

That's really hard to keep the audience interests in several stories at once and to keep them on track my name is Shelly Helen I'm really enjoying great characters and I just love the epic scale of it the longer serious format allows clients to develop.

So I find it a very rewarding listen to the doctor and the guy buried the bodies in the south.

It is not for you to nominal.

The first series of Stella episodes II date of the third age.

Did you conceive it on this scale? We did conceive it as more than one series and it has a progression the BBC just commission the fourth series of it has no the asteroid will end there although the possibility is a spin-offs and Suffolk that but at the end of this current season there is an extraordinary twist that spins the story in a very very unexpected way and this was something we pitch right at the beginning.

It's it's moving into a slightly different area there when you first start of the series.

Did you think of it in terms of being a weekly programs broadcast and Radio 4 in the traditional way or was it always at the pub the forefront of Your Mind the podcast and potential the audience for fiction podcast is is much smaller than the audience for non-fiction podcast but it's a hugely exciting area because most of the audience of young for fiction podcast.

And where they are isn't in in the States and in the States radio dramas been dead for 50 years for them.

They're not aware of that kind of history, so it's it's got this kind of cool zeitgeisty feel like something's just been invented Rebecca crankshaw to me.

What radios make for just to sound this incredibly complex world of teas and deserts and palaces in dungeons is created riveting and seductive and exciting and mysterious.

It takes me into a completely different place, but I can picture of the success and now the fact that it's taking up in other forms.

Did you always think went through four years ago it all started actually this really has massive potential as surprise me.

I've always been.

Confidence in it as a world and I'm very happy if there are some people like it to tell you over there with the long-running series like this to listen to what the audience says and to respond until degree shape your material once you know how the audience is responding to it, but we can't within a season or series because we've usually made the whole thing but this Tuesday about a year between each series so we pay a lot of attention to what people say and we've invited people in on social media to contribute storylines.

Who's that the invitation still open yeah absolutely so there is a fourth series and so if they're interested.

Give you a c.

I always interested and then we have taken on board a couple of suggestions people have made the sea is flat.

Everything is still as if tumanbay is holding her breath waiting.

John Dryden creator and co-writer of tumanbay every episode so far is now available on BBC sounds and BBC tells us that they will be on other platforms in the near future.

That's all we have time for on today's epic feedback, please join us again next week, goodbye.