TV
The BBC announced today the scheduling of "an unprecedented ten day campaign of public information" regarding the showdown with Iraq. The series of programmes will culminate in a live debate aired on BBC One during primetime.
Richard Sambrook, Director of News at the BBC, said: "The BBC is unique in its ability to bring together a range of programmes using its expertise from across the globe to interpret the politics and examine the personalities involved. We will tackle the politicians and in the best traditions of public service broadcasting, give the audiences the platform to air their views."
The series starts off this Sunday (January 26) with former Radio 4 Today editor Rod Liddle looking at Seven Ways To Topple Saddam, on BBC Two, while Ed Stourton tracks the Allies' progress To The Brink.
Holidays in Axis of Evil, on BBC Four, follows Ben Anderson taking a "holiday" in countries US President George W. Bush labelled as being part of an "axis of evil". Countries he visits include Iran, North Korea, Syria, Libya and Cuba, along with Iraq itself.
Redressing the balance somewhat between focusing on the ongoing diplomatic and military activity surrounding Iraq, Dan Cruickshank examines the Lost Cities of Iraq - offering viewers a look at Iraqi culture and history at 9pm, Sunday February 2, on BBC Two.
Not to be left out, current affairs stalwart Panorama is rolled out on BBC One, with two programmes focusing on the Iraq question. The first, airing Sunday February 2 at 10:15pm, is an "interactive special" with BBC News correspondents Matt Frei, Andrew Marr and John Simpson addressing "viewers' concerns." Jane Corbin follows the work of UN weapons inspectors on the February 9th edition of the show.
Jeremy Paxman gets a chance to interrogate Prime Minister Tony Blair in a Newsnight special airing on Thursday February 6 at 9pm on BBC Two.
On Wednesday, February 12, the big debate is held on BBC One, chaired by Question Time host David Dimbleby. In ninety minutes of debate, an invited panel will debate the issue from a variety of sides, while viewers will be able to air their views. The programme also promises to "feature the highlights of a specially arranged BBC conference, a get-together of interested parties who will discuss the wide range of opinion regarding war and its consequences."
Statistics man Peter Snow will also be present, examining the "facts and figures" involved should troops be sent into Iraq; and also revealing the results of a viewers poll to gauge the mood of the nation. Whether this will be presented in now-infamous swing-o-meter format or not remains to be seen.
Lorraine Heggessey, BBC One's Controller, said: "This is a subject of national importance. We have dedicated 90 minutes of our prime time to schedule a live programme to ensure that viewers hear all sides of the argument and allow them to take part in the debate."
Richard Sambrook, Director of News at the BBC, said: "The BBC is unique in its ability to bring together a range of programmes using its expertise from across the globe to interpret the politics and examine the personalities involved. We will tackle the politicians and in the best traditions of public service broadcasting, give the audiences the platform to air their views."
The series starts off this Sunday (January 26) with former Radio 4 Today editor Rod Liddle looking at Seven Ways To Topple Saddam, on BBC Two, while Ed Stourton tracks the Allies' progress To The Brink.
Holidays in Axis of Evil, on BBC Four, follows Ben Anderson taking a "holiday" in countries US President George W. Bush labelled as being part of an "axis of evil". Countries he visits include Iran, North Korea, Syria, Libya and Cuba, along with Iraq itself.
Redressing the balance somewhat between focusing on the ongoing diplomatic and military activity surrounding Iraq, Dan Cruickshank examines the Lost Cities of Iraq - offering viewers a look at Iraqi culture and history at 9pm, Sunday February 2, on BBC Two.
Not to be left out, current affairs stalwart Panorama is rolled out on BBC One, with two programmes focusing on the Iraq question. The first, airing Sunday February 2 at 10:15pm, is an "interactive special" with BBC News correspondents Matt Frei, Andrew Marr and John Simpson addressing "viewers' concerns." Jane Corbin follows the work of UN weapons inspectors on the February 9th edition of the show.
Jeremy Paxman gets a chance to interrogate Prime Minister Tony Blair in a Newsnight special airing on Thursday February 6 at 9pm on BBC Two.
On Wednesday, February 12, the big debate is held on BBC One, chaired by Question Time host David Dimbleby. In ninety minutes of debate, an invited panel will debate the issue from a variety of sides, while viewers will be able to air their views. The programme also promises to "feature the highlights of a specially arranged BBC conference, a get-together of interested parties who will discuss the wide range of opinion regarding war and its consequences."
Statistics man Peter Snow will also be present, examining the "facts and figures" involved should troops be sent into Iraq; and also revealing the results of a viewers poll to gauge the mood of the nation. Whether this will be presented in now-infamous swing-o-meter format or not remains to be seen.
Lorraine Heggessey, BBC One's Controller, said: "This is a subject of national importance. We have dedicated 90 minutes of our prime time to schedule a live programme to ensure that viewers hear all sides of the argument and allow them to take part in the debate."
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