File on 4

BBC Radio 4
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File on 4 Podcast

Award-winning current affairs documentary series investigating major issues at home and abroad

  1. 27 AUG

    After the Riots

    Mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers came under attack during the riots that swept across the country earlier this month. The courts have been tough on violent disorder, but File on 4 examines how tackling the possible root causes may require an even stronger effort. Tensions over immigration are still simmering, particularly in areas that have long been in economic decline. Paul Kenyon reports. Producer: Hayley Mortimer Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Production Coordinator: Tim Fernley Editor: Alys Harte

    38 min
  2. Invisible Souls

    18 AUG

    Invisible Souls

    Fishermen from the Philippines, Ghana and Sri Lanka speak out about how badly, they say, they were treated by a Scottish fishing company that hired them. Most of the fishermen have been waiting in the UK for more than 10 years for their case to be heard. Despite two extensive police investigations, no convictions have been secured for human trafficking or modern slavery. This is the first time the fishermen have spoken out. Reporter and Producer Monica Whitlock. Music by Jon Nicholls. Mix and Sound Design by Tom Brignell. Production Coordinator: Tim Fernley. Editor Alys Harte. Image: Fishermen from the Philippines and Ghana who worked on scallop boats.

    42 min

  3. 13 AUG

    The Priest and the Pay-off

    Over three decades, a priest assessed as posing a risk of “significant harm” to children and vulnerable people worked in the Church of England. But allegations against him didn’t stick, leading to him remaining in post until after he was offered a substantial pay-off. The surprising manner in which he finally left in 2022 raises serious questions about the judgement of Church leaders. If you have been affected by sexual abuse or violence, details of help and support are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Reporter: Aleem Maqbool Producers: Steve Swann and Fergus Hewison Technical Production: Richard Hannaford Production Coordinator: Tim Fernley Editor: Carl Johnston

    43 min

  4. 30 JUL

    Something in the Water: The Secrets of Camp Lejeune

    Camp Lejeune is a vast US Marine Corps base in North Carolina. It’s been in operation since the 1940s and covers a massive 240 square miles. But for years it hid a secret. For decades, its water supply was contaminated with harmful chemicals found to increase the risk of some cancers. It’s estimated that one million people might have been exposed to the toxic water. But it wasn’t just American personnel who were based at Camp Lejeune. Soldiers from all over the world - including from the UK - also spent time there on training exercises and exchange programmes. Emma Forde hears from the British veterans and their families who lived and worked on the base and have since suffered serious health problems or seen loved ones die from conditions associated with exposure to the water. But despite a compensation scheme for victims being widely reported in the US, there are concerns that those from the UK are still unaware of the serious health risks they were exposed to. And time is running out. Reporter: Emma Forde Producer: Andrew Picken Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford Production Coordinators: Ellie Dover & Tim Fernley Editor: Carl Johnston Image: Royal Marine Captain Joe House and Captain Jonathan Lear handing over to each other at Camp Lejeune.

    43 min
  5. The Child Rescue Con

    16 JUL

    The Child Rescue Con

    Project Rescue Children claims to save children from trafficking and abuse, but the BBC has uncovered evidence of false and misleading social media posts. The charity's director, Adam Whittington, has raised thousands of pounds from sponsors and donors around the world. But the BBC has found that unsuspecting children are being used as props, and the rescue centres have no children. Project Rescue Children rejects the BBC's findings and says its work has benefitted hundreds of children worldwide. Reporter: Hayley Mortimer Producer: Kate West Assistant Producer: Katy Ling Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Tim Fernley Editor: Carl Johnston

    43 min

  6. 9 JUL

    Ghost Houses

    There are more empty homes than homeless households in this country. Why? Filled with cobwebs, windows broken, and rats scurrying about in their overgrown gardens, the UK has hundreds of thousands of ghost houses - properties where no one lives. The UK also has the worst homelessness problem in the rich world. So could we use those empty homes for the people in dire need of a home? Simon Maybin investigates the phenomenon of empty homes and, over nine months, follows the work of someone trying to turn unused properties into homes for families among the record numbers who are now homeless. Reporter/producer: Simon Maybin Technical producer: Neil Churchill Production coordinators: Ellie Dover & Tim Fernley Editor: Richard Vadon

    43 min

  7. 2 JUL

    On Trial: Protestors versus the Law

    New laws aimed at preventing protestors causing disruption, more severe punishments and fewer defences in court have led some to question if the freedom to protest is coming under threat. Josephine Casserly investigates the growing volume of prosecutions against environmental protestors and examines how the criminal justice system is dealing with such cases. She also examines the increasing use of private injunctions by corporations and public authorities to restrict protests at locations such as public roads and oil terminals. They say the orders are necessary to prevent disruption caused by tactics including walking slowly down roads and blocking entrances to businesses, but lawyers acting for protestors say they amount to a "privatised system of justice." Reporter: Josephine Casserly Producer: Tom Wall Production Coordinators: Ellie Dover & Tim Fernley Editor: Carl Johnston

    43 min

  8. 25 JUN

    The Final Battle: Veterans fighting for compensation

    There are two compensation schemes for veterans who’ve suffered injury or illness as a result of service - the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme - or AFCS - and the War Pension Scheme. The schemes are managed by Veterans UK which is an organisation run by the Ministry of Defence. But veterans have long criticised both schemes. Some say they reject claims unfairly, and are slow to resolve them. File on 4 has been told in some cases it’s taken almost 12 years for a final decision to be made. How does the system work? And what is the impact on veterans who claim they have to fight for financial compensation for conditions they say are a result of their service? File on 4 hears from one ex-servicemen whose claim took over seven years to resolve, and from the family of another former soldier who took his life after his claim for PTSD was repeatedly turned down. If you are affected by anything in this programme, details of organisations offering support with mental health and self-harm, or feelings of despair, are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Producer: Vicky Carter Reporter: Datshiane Navanayagam Technical producer: Richard Hannaford Production co-ordinator: Tim Fernley and Ellie Dover Editor: Carl Johnston

    42 min
See All (435)

About

Award-winning current affairs documentary series investigating major issues at home and abroad

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2005 - 2024
  • Episodes
    435
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2024
  • Show Website
    File on 4

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