13/10/2017

The Editor of PM defends his programme against listeners' accusations that presenter Eddie Mair's interview with Home Secretary Amber Rudd was hostile and biased. Roger Sawyer discusses the presenter's robust style of interviewing and sets out his editorial stance on the presentation of this and other items on the programme.

When Amber Rudd sought to bring the focus of the interview back to the policy announcements made by the Prime Minister at the Party Conference, listeners expressed their frustration with Eddie Mair's questioning. We speak to those who suggest that the presenter didn't allow for an informed discussion of the Conservative Party's policies, but focused instead on the Prime Minister's misfortunes, most notably her well-documented cough. Roger Sawyer explains these editorial decisions and discusses the sanctioning of coverage such as the use of gunfire on the recent Las Vegas shooting item.

And we hear from one listener dissatisfied with Winifred Robinson's latest programme on home education, 'Out of School, Out of Sight'. Fee Berry speaks to Roger Bolton about her view that the programme should have been more carefully balanced.

Also, listeners discuss their reactions to Feedback's interview last week with the new Editor of the Today programme, Sarah Sands and we hear from those involved in the introduction of the BBC World Service's new Pidgin English programming.

Presenter: Roger Bolton Producer: Kate Dixon A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.