The Explanation
The Explanation is a snackable audio guide giving you the backstory behind the headlines. In each episode, presenter Claire Graham meets a BBC News correspondent who has lived and breathed these stories. She’ll hear clear analysis along with powerful archive. The Explanation will go back in time to unpack complex chains of events and will make the stories in question easier to understand.
- Update frequency
- every 3 days
- Average duration
- 24 minutes
- Episodes
- 222
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2025
The Media Show: Iranian harassment of BBC journalists
Iranian authorities are accused of targeting journalists at BBC Persian by intimidating their family members in Iran. Correspondent Behrang Tajdin outlines the psychological toll, allegations of hara…
Unspun World: Where is the conflict between Israel and Iran heading?
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses whether Israel’s attacks on Iran could lead to regime change, assesses the effectiveness of the G7 …
The Media Show: Israel-Iran coverage
Coverage of the Israel-Iran conflict has been shaped by restricted access and challenges for international journalists. With few media outlets able to base reporters inside Iran, coverage often relie…
Unspun World: Trump's immigration crackdown
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses Donald Trump’s decision to deploy troops to tackle protests over immigration raids in Los Angeles, …
The Media Show: Will AI kill the advertising industry?
The advertising industry is facing dramatic change, after Meta announced new AI tools that will let anyone make ads. Sir Martin Sorrell, Executive Chairman of S4 Capital, and Alex Dalman, Co-chair of…
What does a new president mean for Poland?
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the impact of the election of a right-wing president in Poland on the country’s government, examine…
The Media Show: Can NPR survive Trump’s cuts?
NPR, one of America’s most prominent public broadcasters, is facing potential funding cuts following moves by President Trump. The administration alleges a lack of impartiality, prompting legal actio…
Unspun World: Will Israeli criticism change Netanyahu's Gaza stance?
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses whether criticism from within Israel will force Netanyahu’s government to change its approach to th…
The Media Show: NYT editor Joe Kahn, and travel presenter Simon Reeve
Joe Kahn, Executive Editor of the New York Times, outlines how the newsroom prioritises stories, handles editorial pressure, and navigates the challenges posed by political figures like Donald Trump.…
Unspun World: The UK's new EU deal
James Landale, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the UK’s new deal with the EU, looks at the possible impacts of the lifting of US sanctions on Syr…
The Media Show: Full-time for Lineker at the BBC
Gary Lineker, a former England football captain and longtime presenter of the BBC’s football highlights programme Match of the Day, has left the corporation after sharing a controversial post on soci…
Unspun World: What's next for Gaza?
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines the Israeli government’s plans for Gaza, assesses China’s efforts to lessen its reliance on the Uni…
The Media Show: Misinformation and the India-Pakistan Standoff
Tensions between India and Pakistan have reignited an information war, not just on social media but also in mainstream outlets. Shayan Sardarizadeh from BBC Verify explains how false reports of milit…
Unspun World: Vladimir Putin’s game plan
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses Russia’s current strategy in Ukraine, looks at the preparations the Polish are making for a possibl…
The Media Show: Tina Brown on her fight for quality journalism
Tina Brown, a former editor of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, has joined Substack, a self-publishing platform for independent writers. Speaking in the week of the Truth Tellers summit, which she fou…
The Global Jigsaw: The Kurdish issue: Part three
Will the call for the PKK to disarm end in a new era of peace for the Kurds, or is this just another turn in a tortured history? In February, Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan W…
Unspun World: What part did Trump play in Canada’s election?
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the role Donald Trump played in the Liberal Party’s election victory in Canada, looks at the extent…
The Media Show: Piers Morgan’s YouTube bet
Piers Morgan explains why he has stepped away from traditional television to focus exclusively on YouTube. He outlines the commercial and editorial logic behind the move and his plans to expand the U…
The Global Jigsaw: The Kurdish issue: Part two
Will the call for the PKK to disarm end in a new era of peace for the Kurds, or is this just another turn in a tortured history? In February, Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan W…
The Media Show: Washington leak culture
The death of Pope Francis has drawn intense global media coverage as journalists gather in Rome. Tom Kington, Italy Correspondent for The Times, describes press access within the Vatican and reflects…