Investigating Extremism on Radio 4

Roger Bolton hears listener views on a documentary investigating the role of women on the far-right, and discusses the BBC's annual plan.

Radio 4 documentary In The Right caused controversy this week, stirring debate from listeners over whether figures considered to be on the far-right should be given airtime. The programme, presented by journalist Lara Whyte, investigated young women in hardline right wing social media. Roger speaks with the producer of the programme Max O'Brien, and Radio 4's Editor of Editorial Standards Roger Mahony, about the issue of giving airtime to fringe, contentious voices.

Google podcast app users were annoyed this week when they found they could no longer listen to new BBC shows on the app, or on Google devices like smart speakers and phones. Caroline Crampton from HotPod discusses the reasons behind the BBC's decision to pull it's content from the platform.

Listeners have long shared their concerns that Radio 4 is pushing hard for younger listeners at the expense of older audiences. Meanwhile, cuts continue to be imposed on programme budgets and staff numbers. They're both issues that have come to the forefront as the BBC publishes its annual plan, setting priorities and budgets for the year. Colin Browne, Chairman of the Voice of the Listener and Viewer, spoke to Roger about how these changes are generating concern among license fee payers across the country.

Presenter: Roger Bolton Producer: Robert Nicholson Executive Producer: Will Yates A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4