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, John examines the growing tensions between Taiwan and China, and explores how China may deal with Trump 2.0 as the US president once again takes office.

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, explains the allegations, which included claims that private investigators used illegal methods to obtain information. Chris Huhne, former cabinet minister, reflects on his own experience.

The future of TikTok in the US faces uncertainty following remarks by President Trump, who proposed a potential deal involving US entities. Jake Kanter, Investigations Editor at Deadline, assesses the political dynamics behind this issue.

Media ethics are under scrutiny after the release of Israeli hostages by Hamas. Freelance journalist Noga Tarnopolsky critiques both the orchestration of the event by Hamas and how the Israeli government reported it and used footage of the hostages reuniting with their families.

Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai

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 experience of reporting from the Pacific Palisades. Allison Agsten, director of the Annenberg Centre for Climate Journalism and Communication, shares her concern that media coverage has often overlooked the role of climate change in exacerbating these events. Caroline Frost, columnist for the Radio Times, reflects on the prominence of celebrity involvement in coverage of the disaster.

Artificial intelligence has been used to recreate Sir Michael Parkinson’s voice for a podcast series that explores the boundaries of technology and human storytelling. Benjamin Field, producer of Virtually Parkinson, describes how the system was trained on more than 100 hours of archival material to recreate the legendary broadcaster.

Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai

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 International Fact-Checking Network, explains the implications of this decision and whether decentralising moderation can effectively address misinformation.

Piers Morgan, broadcaster and former host at Rupert Murdoch’s News UK, has announced his decision to leave and focus on his YouTube channel. Julia Angwin, investigative journalist and fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, explains how this reflects the broader rise of independent content creators. Joey Contino, TikTok news influencer, shares how he has built a loyal following through accessible and direct reporting. Alessandra Galloni, Editor-in-Chief of Reuters, considers how traditional media organisations can adapt to these trends.

Grand Theft Auto 6 is shaping up to be a landmark release in gaming history. With its first female protagonist, advanced AI, and immersive gameplay mechanics, the game is expected to push boundaries in both technology and storytelling. Vic Hood, freelance gaming journalist, examines the franchise’s enduring appeal and how this instalment could set new benchmarks in the gaming industry.

Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai

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 from Madhumita Murgia of the Financial Times, Charlotte Tobitt from Press Gazette and Rebecca Jennings from Vox.

Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson

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, we turn to the Ukrainian side of this linguistic tug or war. Here we find that language itself is at the heart of this conflict, fuelling Ukraine’s “linguistic decolonisation”.

Producer: Kriszta Satori Presenter: Krassi Twigg

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-founding his own firm, Bartle Bogle Hegarty, in 1982. But he believes that advertising today has lost sight of creativity, in its relentless focus on data and targeted advertising. He joins Ros Atkins to discuss his career, his theory of creativity, and the future of his industry. Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Dan Hardoon

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 understand. We analyse Moscow’s military jargon; in part two of this mini-series, we’ll explore Kyiv’s answer to it.

Producer: Kriszta Satori, Vitaly Shevchenko Presenter: Krassi Twigg

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 Force Intelligence Directorate. David Folkenflik, Media Correspondent for NPR, examines the ethical dilemmas and journalistic standards in such high-stakes reporting.

ABC News reached a $15m settlement with Donald Trump over a defamation claim stemming from false statements made by one of its star presenters. Katie Fallow, Deputy Litigation Director at the Knight First Amendment Institute, explores the legal complexities of defamation cases involving public figures and the implications for media accountability in a polarised landscape.

The Map Men, winners of TikTok’s UK and Ireland video of the year, have turned their passion for maps into viral success. Jay Foreman, one half of the duo, discusses their creative process, the balance between humour and education in their work, and how their unique take on cartography resonates with audiences across platforms.

Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Lucy Wai Assistant Producer: Martha Owen

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 reporting during Assad’s era to hopes for unfiltered journalism in today’s Syria. Sednaya prison, long shrouded in secrecy, has become a focal point for journalists and families of the missing. Freelance journalist Edmund Bower, reporting for The Times, recounts his access to the site. The murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has sparked polarising reactions online, including the celebration by some of his alleged killer Luigi Mangione. Mia Sato from The Verge discusses the public’s focus on systemic healthcare failings, while influencer Michael McWhorter notes a striking lack of online detective interest in the case. Ben Strick, director of investigations at the Centre for Information Resilience, shares the principles of open-source investigations in an advent calendar he has created to highlight his work. He explains how tools like reverse image searches and flight trackers have aided investigative journalism, offering examples from global conflicts to everyday reporting. Presenters: Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai

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 history, it has turned a profit. Journalist James Ball discusses its financial milestones, while Robert H. Peck, associate professor at the University of Iowa, explains its moderation approach and the challenges of maintaining community standards on a rapidly growing platform. Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has launched a major offensive supported by a sophisticated media campaign. Dr Charlie Winter, associate fellow, International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, examines the use of digital content such as videos, meme, and music, alongside comparisons to other militant groups and counter-efforts by Assad’s regime. Anna Wintour is the legendary editor in chief of Vogue magazine. To coincide with the opening of an immersive exhibition in London entitled Vogue: Inventing the Runway, she granted the BBC a rare interview. Katie Razzall reflects on the experience of sitting down with the journalist who famously provided the inspiration for The Devil Wears Prada. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant producer: Lucy Wai