Over to You

In this episode of Over To You, we hear listener feedback about how they think the BBC World Service is reporting on the recent war in Iran. Plus, we find out how the World Service approaches reporting on global conflict in general, from protecting programme-makers and contributors in dangerous locations, to sharing sensitive content about war online.

The East Asia region, comprising of China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia and Taiwan, is undeniably a key player on the world stage.
We go behind the scenes of The Fifth Floor, the programme that brings the news from the BBC World Service language services. We hear how people in Seoul are reacting to the comeback of BTS, the superstar South Korean boyband, whose first tour since 2022 kicks off in April.
Hong Kong cinema has influenced film-makers around the world. For a recent In the Studio episode, film-maker Shan Ng followed Kwan Pun Leung, one of the cinematographers of the Hong Kong and 20th Century classic, In the Mood for Love. We hear what Shan learnt following a fellow film-maker and what surprised her about Kwan's process.
In November 2025, the BBC World Service launched a new visualised podcast, Asia Specific. Presented by veteran journalist, Mariko Oi, it covers the Asia Pacific region, of which East Asia is part of. Mariko tells Qasa why a podcast for the region was essential and the stories they hope to cover.
And finally, in February, the director general Tim Davie warning that the network would run out of funding if a deal was not agreed with the government. His warnings set the Over to You inbox alight with questions and concern. Qasa speaks with the head of the school of journalism, media and culture at Cardiff University, Dr Matt Walsh and explores what all this means for the World Service.

Social media has come a long way from a place where you just connect with family and friends. Qasa Alom looks at how the BBC World Service uses social media in investigations, how BBC output is promoted across social media platforms and how social media is covered on the network.
Qasa speaks to Simi Jolaoso, the presenter and producer of the BBC Eye and World of Secrets podcast and documentary film The Child Cancer Scam. She tells us how her and the team used social media to find the face behind the scam.
We speak to Jonathan Hill and Sara Lentati of the BBC World Service social media team. We hear their strategy for 2026 and why the World Service’s Instagram caption reads “Stories of wonder, nature, science, spirituality and incredible personal journeys from around the world.”
The weekly programme Tech Life “discovers and explains the ways technology is changing our lives”. Qasa speaks to presenter Shiona McCallum about how the programme covers social media and holds the platforms accountable.
Presenter: Qasa Alom
Producer: Jill Achineku
Executive producer: Robert Nicholson
A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

Live broadcast has been part and parcel of radio since its inception. We go behind the scenes of BBC OS to hear how live radio is made daily on one of the flagship news programmes of the BBC World Service.
Breaking news is fast moving, at one moment there is a vacuum of facts and the next a deluge, all of which must be packaged and presented to inform the public responsibly. Presenter Qasa Alom speaks to Danny Savage, BBC News Northern England correspondent, who reported live on location in the aftermath of the October 2025 Manchester synagogue attack.
A familiar companion for radio sports fans is the voice of the commentator. Building plays word by word, adding colour, spitting stats and giving words to pure emotions, a live radio sporting event does not exist without commentary. Qasa speaks to BBC Sport commentator John Bennett, from Morocco where he is covering the Africa Cup of Nations.
We also hear from listeners about their memories listening to live radio.
Presenter: Qasa Alom
Producers: Jill Achineku and Emily Uchida Finch
A Whistledown production for BBC World Service

It is our annual Ask the Controller special with the boss of BBC World Service English Jon Zilkha in the studio to answer your questions.
We also hear from listeners on what they have enjoyed on the BBC World Service in 2025. And what would they would like to hear more of in 2026.