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: Bill Gates on tech and politics
Bill Gates sits down with presenter Katie Razzall in Seattle to discuss technology’s impact, from social media to AI, as he reflects on themes from his new autobiography. He shares his thoughts on mi…
Unspun World: How will Trump's second presidency affect the war in Ukraine?
John Simpson visits Russia's neighbour Latvia for a special episode of Unspun World where he reflects on how the collapse of the Soviet Union has shaped Putin’s Russia. With BBC experts in the region…
The Media Show: China’s AI rise
Chinese technology is making headlines with the rise of DeepSeek, an AI chatbot that has surged to the top of US app downloads. Its development cost is reportedly lower than Western alternatives, and…
Mindu Hornick: Interview with an Auschwitz survivor
"We thought we had entered hell." These are the recollections of Auschwitz survivor Mindu Hornick. In an interview with the BBC's Tim Franks, she recalls, in vivid detail, the last memory of her moth…
Unspun World: What's behind the growing tensions between China and Taiwan?
John Simpson is in Taiwan for a special episode of Unspun World, where he reflects on the extraordinary rollercoaster of Chinese politics over the last 60 years. With the BBC experts in the region, J…
The Media Show: Prince Harry’s legal victory and TikTok’s future
Prince Harry has settled his legal battle against Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers, securing a formal apology and substantial damages. Joshua Rozenberg, legal affairs commentator and journalist, expla…
The Media Show: Reporting the LA fires
The devastation caused by the wildfires in Los Angeles has been profound, with homes and communities left in ruins. Jonathan Hunt, Fox News correspondent, and Emma Vardy of BBC News recount their exp…
The Media Show: Meta drops fact-checkers and Grand Theft Auto 6 hype builds
Ahead of President Trump’s return to The White House, Meta is replacing its US fact-checking program with a new “user-driven” approach called Community Notes. Angie Drobnic Holan, Director of the Int…
The Media Show: media trends in 2025
We explore the key media trends shaping 2025. From the rise of AI in journalism to how social platforms are transforming news, challenges in media funding and the future of regulation. With insights …
The Global Jigsaw: The language of war: Ukraine
Kyiv’s answer to the Kremlin’s warspeak. In part one of this miniseries, we focused on Russia’s case, trying to see through Moscow’s war propaganda: its purpose and building blocks. In this episode, …
The Media Show: Jeans, cars, deodorant
Advertising executive Sir John Hegarty has created campaigns for some of the world's most famous brands including Levi's, Lynx, and Audi. He was a founding partner of Saatchi and Saatchi before co-fo…
The Global Jigsaw: The language of war: Russia
Decoding the Kremlin’s warspeak to understand the power of propaganda as a weapon of war. “Let’s cut dill”, “a pop of cotton”, “meat assault”: expressions the average foreigner might struggle to unde…
The Media Show: CNN’s Syria report controversy
A report by CNN from inside a Syrian prison has become a flashpoint for media scrutiny after the featured prisoner, initially presented as a victim, was identified as a former member of Assad’s Air F…
The Media Show: Reporting Syria and reaction to Luigi Mangione
After Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapsed, Syrian media enters a new chapter. Kholoud Helmi, co-founder of the independent paper Enab Baladi, reflects on her publication’s journey from clandestine rep…
The Media Show: Reddit's rise
Reddit bills itself as the “home to endless conversation and authentic human connection”, and it is now one of the fastest growing social networks in the world. For the first time in its 20 years his…
The Media Show: BBC presenter defection
Mishal Husain, one of the most recognisable voices on the BBC, is leaving after 26 years to join Bloomberg. Known for presenting Today and high-profile TV bulletins, her departure marks a turning poi…
Unspun World: Could Russia's war with Ukraine escalate?
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines the risk of escalation in Russia’s war with Ukraine, analyses the political situation in Germany ah…
The Media Show: Jake Paul v Mike Tyson
Friday’s Netflix boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson was more than a fight; it was a media moment. Evan Shapiro, media commentator, sees it as evidence of influencer dominance over traditio…
Unspun World: What can the world expect from a second Trump term?
John Simpson explores the implications of a second Trump term for US foreign policy, the role of Saudi Arabia in the search for stability in the Middle East, and the appeal of South Korean culture.
The Media Show: US Election and its impact on media
The US election has brought about significant challenges for the mainstream media. Edward Luce of the Financial Times, Megan McArdle of The Washington Post, and Katie Drummond of WIRED discuss the di…