Read this: The Archers and Ramadan. Today's interview with Robert Jenrick. BBC Sounds overseas.

BBC sounds music Radio podcasts hello are in box has been having with you use on the Today programme interview with Robert jenrick as well as questions about why Linda Snell the Archers is observing Ramadan there's a new cast on the Block scotcast is this the future of news and last week's revelation BBC signs will be blocked overseas has caused quite a stir dates and then we can get the rest of the food on the table on the Archers length is woven into the story of lives of everyday country folk, but this year.

It's Ramadan that's featuring as a main story-line after Archer stored Linda Snell decided to join the recently.

Malik family on their Ramadan fast are these words another prayer in Arabic before breaking fast it sounded beautiful selection of listeners thoughts on that story line from Jackie I'm a regular Archers listener and I do want to pick the Archers up on the current focus on fasting for Ramadan I am all in favour of diversity and explaining Ramadan in this context but what about mentioning it is also lent.

I am an Orthodox Christian and we also fast during the whole of lent by cutting out meat fish products and cutting down the amount eaten.

This is when the practise for centuries and only the Western Christians over many years reduced this so that now fasting is almost unknown.

But at the very least it should be mentioned.

Where is the vicar hello feedback on Judith Collinson and I'm phoning from Ilford in East London I'm intrigued to know that smell is embracing religious practise and fasting for Ramadan I'll be listening intently to hear if she follows up on young people which this year will fall on 2nd of October from Patricia Farrell I am shocked that during the time of lent a time that is Sacred to followers of Jesus Christ there is no mention at all of our Christian religion during this important period

It's very upsetting at the program supports Ramadan but absolutely side steps any mention of lent BBC bias, I think so hello my name is Maurice and I am from Teddington in Middlesex I have been an Archers listener for over 60 years however never saw the BBC would impose their new policy on ambridge last week's episode of them Alex and sitting down to a Ramadan meal and prayers was a real low for me Richard Dumfriesshire the islamization the Archers proceeds of pace with the smells fasting for Ramadan hours, Easter approaches is Alan the vicar joining in with his Hindu wife Lucia we've always been told how race is that?

Perhaps all will be resolved for the tea rooms pancake eating contest Dr Cara courage is co-founder of the academic Archers it's a community of academics live in ambridge as a lens to discuss wider issues TB to host their annual online conference back to baucher.

I wanted to know if she thinks that this is in Keeping with life in the English countryside.

I'm a rural girl, Born and Bred from a little corner of Exmoor in Somerset and a lot of change over the years going back to where I was brought up and and yes, there's a lot more diversity in the in the countryside now.

It isn't a static face that have been changes to the demographics in the countryside and I actually think the Archers might be a little bit late.

Maybe in Brigg

The manics certainly within our group there's been a lot of talk about actually, where is the diversity you know who should carry a lot of weight if the tide in in ambridge, she's the vicars wife she's been there for some time and she's from Indian heritage.

She is and she carried a big story line with Roy around having a racist views towards and various different times her culture her face of being brought into a storyline but now you've got with a Malik you know the Generations through the makeup for the characters of a family.

I thinks her put a rich dialogue know what many of our listeners say there are annoyed about this story line has been brought up during lent tonight.

Obviously Ramadan and lent overlap this year, but you're saying they got no objection to a Muslim family arriving in ambridge.

This storyline particularly broadcasts Islamic prayers and Dr on a Sunday morning one listener use the term supports Ramadan and side step length the Archers writers must have known this was going to create controversy.

I'm sure they did and I can understand perhaps it feels like a bit of its structure in you know sort of calendar events that we have as an Archers listen.

There is something new in the calendar of events know but let's has been mentioned that actually that discussion between when do we hold the pancake eating competition? Could you well we've already put it on the website but then you'll be excluded due to say the tiramisu shut in Reading wouldn't look at their would it will you should be open to people of all Faith's and diversity.

Remove that I thought was a really lovely little seen as a bit of a microcosm of how cultures face people can be in the mix in the village life no Sunderland Echo the views of Sylvia delico from Northamptonshire or not offended by the Muslim characters observing Ramadan I do find it offensive that to Christian characters are being woke thing on this is supposedly a story of everyday country folk and live in a farming community and make the BBC's work identity when did make more sense if I join you and interesting I mean from Andy the ideal indus now with fast is nonsense it's one thing to introduce them to the village.

No one could have the prayers and doctors have no place in an everyday story of country in this case it's not the inclusion of Ramadan but the fact that one of the best cut.

In ambridge, Linda and Robert Snell are joining in I convinced.

Are you Kara by Linda smells involvement of our listeners are staying with it feels a lot of I disagree.

I think this is absolutely something that Linda would do and I kinda smoke 20 admittedly a bit like a bull in a china shop.

Just when seeing them guys.

I'm doing Ramadan with you Linda's of a curious person.

She somebody who's interested and she's also something that guest house she wants to make them feel as comfortable and it's home as possible and that for me I wasn't at all surprised when I said this actually within our group as well people have really welcomed how this story line has played out because they've learnt a lot along the way as well about their neighbours or friends and their face practice.

That's interesting you've mentioned learning quite a lot and I just wonder if as a listener it can feel it.

Clunky there is a storytelling device going on here, but I felt sometimes when they were questions from Linda answers from asthma that sounded like they were trying to Ramadan rather than that sounding very natural so to recap encourages spiritual reflection is that right focusing the mind right now that never comes in the long way off.

That's just the Archers you could say the same about conversations about the silage clamp that doesn't surprise me and it's you know anyway.

We as listeners.

We can all have a bit of a love-hate relationship with the Arches and we'll all you know be shouting at the radio and we think it's you know another issue being or something that was there to educate us as such but it's part and parcel of being a but I wonder if there is a little bit of a problem here about being to culturally sensitive pussy.

Find the story so as not to offend so there isn't other doesn't seem to be yet anyway any really good arches type story about Ramadan and fasting.

There's no drama the cooking catastrophe.

You are I don't know the grundys making her having a money-making scheme maybe also a little bit too preachy and I know what you mean, but also part of somebody no people stay today as well.

Is there a drama around it does there need to be a drama around it? I'll be really interested to see actually in terms of you know a wider line.

Where having the mallets in the village takes us.

We got a new family in the village.

They have different experiences that they're bringing in it be really interesting to see what happens with them long as you meant beginning of the interview when we've looked at the Archers before a criticism that we have had is that the Arches as to why does a lack of diversity know we've had some complaints that this.

Has been given too much prominence just Impossible 4 The Archers writers and editor to please everybody all the time.

I'm sure it is and it's not a job to take on for that reason.

I think England football manager very much though, you can't please all the people all the time and storylines will come and go everybody will have their favourite.

We grow up around his characters we go through the life story with these characters as well and we have our affinity somebody new coming in upsets that and there's always a little bit of friction and we will love and hate characters that changes as well sometimes.

I love Lynda sometimes has settled into please.

No, you know it is just passing being that that I just found that Archers listener, but yes, I think they speak prices.

Have a very not impossible.

They do it very well, but they have a

What ask Dr Cara courage? Thank you so much for joining us and giving us your insight into the Archers thank you.

Of course.

I did want to talk to someone from the Archers team like this discussion, but instead they sent this statement the Archers has a long history of reflecting faith in its storylines and regularly features storyline centred on Christian Faith such as carol service celebrations of Palm Sunday lent and Harrison's baptism of real life rural communities in the UK today and so it is home to people with your faiths and beliefs recent storylines around Ramadan and Shrove Tuesday have explored how the developing friendships between characters in ambridge.

Have led them to engage with each other's Faith tradition know I am aware that in the past when we had an archer story on feedback is often prompts a lot more listeners to get in touch with their own views, so if you would like to comment.

Indeed anything you've heard on BBC audio.

You can send a WhatsApp voice note on 0345 for you can also ring that same number and can leave a voice message the number again is 0345 or you can send us an email to feedback at bbc.co.uk and it's at BBC R4 feedback on social media Cyndi Lauper is 10 at 1 p.m.

And a possible host the World this weekend and one of those women is here with me in front of me.

Anna is this me what age are you if you're going to Radio 4 Broadcasting House on Sunday morning.

You might remember this exchange between Paddy O'Connell and Anna Foster my Sunday Times says you're going to be the new host of the today.

What does it do you mind if I have a reason that thank you very much well, the news was confirmed this week that the new presenter in the today lineup will be Anna Foster former BBC middle east correspondent and BBC news presenter.

She's joining the team in April but the program was also in the news and our inbox this week after Emma Barnett interview with a shadow Justice secretary Robert jenrick on March 6th.

It was a new sentencing guidelines from the Independent sentencing Council which both the guy say will create a two-tier approach to Justice we received one positive comment.

I just wanted to say the interview between on the Today programme with Emma Barnett

And I thought Emma done both magnificent amor amor here are just a few of the rest of the money comments we received about the interview in Murcia from Devon right now with current events being so distressing and anxiety-provoking I listen Abberley to the Today programme.

It's morning.

I really value it for Intelligent discussion and analysis of the latest happenings, but I don't need is unnecessary stress.

I'm finding the days.

When is on Today programme Robert jenrick is the shadow Justice Secretary and is on the line.

You must know good morning that there are already biases in the 6th as an example of this as a woman.

I found it embarrassing to listen to.

Sentence in a black man because guess what you already do absolutely not such an aggressive star it will be seen as out of order.

My name is Helen from Loughton in Essex once again on Thursday the 6th of March the presenter Emma was rude bad-tempered interrupted and spoke over the person being interviewed in the Oval Office examples of how to treat people it seems like it, I'm Ruth Winston from West Devon hostility towards Robert jenrick right from the start of the interview on sentencing guidelines was in tolerable, so what you're saying is Robert jenrick.

This is John from Coventry Radio 4 Today programme is not 5 live.

Please retain the distinction the presenter coming across as entirely respect is critical John McLaughlin and I live in Cheltenham is bad as it does not give the interviewee an opportunity to answer the question was raised going to be clear.

I am no political.

I only quote the general kind of you as an egregious example of a shortcomings compared to help.

Hi, I'm Nathan from Ulverston in Cumbria how much longer is Emma Barnett go into trouble the Today programme I'm getting fed up turning off the radio during interviews because she is winding me up so much.

She's rude.

She asks stupid and politics on her sleeve.

Please move her on in control and that's the time I can give you this morning.

My name is Brian and I live near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire I would like to the complaints about the interview between your reporter Emma Barnett and Robert jenrick on the Today programme.

It was poorly researched.

They someone email showed a significant left wing bias making statements, which one either helpful northorpe trust the BBC will take appropriate action we did ask if Emma Barnett or anyone from today would join me on feedback no one was made available, but we did receive this statement our priority is to ensure our listeners get clarity over questions, they want answers to which can lead to a robust and lively interview in this case our presenter challenge the shadow Justice secretary on common is making about the sentencing council's new guidance and sought to provide listeners with the full context throughout the interview so that they can make up their own Minds The Rise of the BBC

Best podcasts shows no sign of slowing Addington news caster Mary cost in Ukraine cost there's no scotcast.

Yes as you can tell from the title is Scottish news podcast it started in January and it's hosted by BBC Scotland presenter Martin geissler.

I wanted to know how it fits alongside other news on BBC Scotland we are very specifically not aiming for it to be an alternative to the evening news.

We're looking to can a supplement the news agenda here.

We're not looking for a story that's on the news every day in fact.

I would seem to maybe three of the four days a week.

We're looking at something.

There's nowhere near that days news agenda, but is bubbling around that they are the criteria for selecting a story as to be relevant in some respect and it has to be interesting and the voice of The Voice is that we have on for the main interview everyday on the podcast have to be relevant and interesting as well and

Sometimes we'll choose a subject because we got an interesting person is prepared to talk rather than because it's specific to that week scan a break in your mum used to gender so it's it can be anything that can be everything only so many evergreen subjects out there with a kind of Scottish relevant.

So when I'm going to burn through everything on the whiteboard.

Just yet.

We do try and do on the day news as well, but but we're not we're not restricted and a good thing no both you and the listeners are really able to dig into stories and perhaps give listeners more of an understanding of the issues.

Do you know I shall I come out of a radio studio when I was doing radio News programmes.

I would come out of the studio having a 4-minute interview with somebody and complain to the producers and so you just can't do that for 20-minutes.

I know I come out and see you can't do that in 20-minutes.

I need an hour.

So you will always have you got a curious mind you will always have more questions, then there is time of ale.

But what you do get is a chance as you see Andrea to dig into to have a real beginning middle and an end to an interview and do a bit of exploration and play it off into different areas through that conversation to be led by what you learn rather than to be mining for a sound by and it's a completely different style of journalism and I'm learning as I go I'm trying to unlearn 32 years of habit, but it's fascinating.

It's really really refreshing.

I'm loving it.

We do know that the figures for TV news audiences calling across the UK over the years and particularly for younger demographic.

I wonder do you think that podcasts are were younger people will be getting the news in the future and you in anyway skewing your news towards a younger audience.

We are not skewing toward the younger audience when upsetting about demographics because we probably don't have enough reliable data.

That's one reason to know where is listening, but the other reason is and it and it's very personal.

I'm probably the best reason.

I've got two young adult kids who are very much in the kind of podcast news current affairs podcast demographic I spoke to my daughter about this and she's just kind of qualified you got the green politics and she's smart and her friends are smart and I asked her what how should we you know how should be at your generation and you and your pals and going to look at me like I was a total idiot and say what you talking about and that's what I do.

How do you how do you get a tap into that and she said look I listen to All the pod you listen to Alice do I listen to a newsagents I listen to Alastair Campbell and Rowley Stewart not because they talk to me like I'm 22, but because they're smart so be smart be good be interesting and everybody will come to you if you lose everything if you try and be done with the kids god for b particularly if you're a dad yeah exactly.

Your dad I've also noticed just looking through some of the podcast you've got quite a few famous Scots and now you've got David Tennant's Brian Cox at Marie Black and one the youngest politician in Westminster also quite a lot about trump of course and JD Vance international stories that include Scotland I wonder if you're trying tractor the diaspora because of course it goes like in BBC signs worldwide.

I'm not that's not a conscious thing which is trying to be interesting just trying to talk about what people are talking about and it said something we discussed because he offended quite a lot of people by talking about Donald Trump the aforementioned in a fairly blunt and colloquially Scottish way using a word that we most used he mentioned the C-Bomb because I listen to us when we were talking about into a conversation because that word has it slightly different usage in Scotland as to whether we have a day.

Without word the people if it has the same impact as offensive here as not it was just a little throw away 5 minutes, but actually attraction on social media, but not desperately looking to try and do people in from further afield.

We're just trying to talk about interesting and relevant things that have a big linked to back home.

It's quite interesting you know that the kind of thing Andrea if it is a great fear here of doing the old cliche and putting a kilt on a story you know if there's been an earthquake in Turkey find the score is working in the Rubble I mean who cares about the score in the robot.

Look at the horror and the story of the earthquake but definitely not doing that but we are looking 2 people who got a link to this part of the world to the people were broadcasting to who done or said some interesting and and and and building it that Martin guys like good luck with the scotcast and thanks very much indeed for finding time for feedback.

Thanks and good to speak to you.

Martin and the team will be hoping that scotcast appeals to Scots abroad and as it to podcast I'm sure it will still be available worldwide once BBC signs close.

This time is later this spring it will be a new app available and we know that Radio 4 underworld.

Service will be streamed live along with thousands of podcasts, but if you live in another country, there is a lot that still isn't clear feedback is had a massive response to this news and I am soaking to get someone from the BBC to come on the program.

I can try to get answers to your questions until that time here's a flavour of just a few of them.

Hello.

My name is Ellie I'm calling from France to yours and absolutely horrified completely shocked being abroad.

Interview or helpful people from round the world crafting about asking to be with you for listening outside UK Jeremy Vine he's got time for that.

And my name is Andrew from Kansas City in BBC Radio has been a massive part of my life.

I grew up with BBC Radio 2 kidney disease in a military family in fare from England discovered BBC music BBC 6 in 2014 what working the 3rd shift at the factory Kansas it was a lonely town my life in the Sun Keaveny Lauren Laverne Steven does lead hours is the time difference really kept me happy and interesting something Ben Kingsley pandemic in 2020.

I listened everyday in the early days for lockdown Craig Charles Lamb and everyone else felt like friends and the most uncertain time.

Please don't take away some of the best soft power of the British girl has needs uncertain times we pay for BBC subscription just to keep BBC sounds available outside of the UK will do keep your comments coming and I do.

To have someone from the BBC here very soon to explain what is happening.

That's all for today from me and the team.

Thank you so much for listening and for giving us your feedback to buy I'm Helena Bonham Carter and for BBC Radio 4.

I'm back with a brand new series of history secret heroes and he tells her that she sent to France as a secret agent she work undercover and if she's got she's going to be shot join me for more stories of unsung Heroes acts of resistance deception and courage from World War II subscribed the history of secret Heroes on BBC sounds.