WHYS TV – Iran – 19/6/09

What’s the best way to deal with a hostage crisis?

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said that no stone was left unturned in response to criticism that the UK didn’t do enough to secure the release of the two British hostages.

There have been accusations that the UK’s approachof not negotiating with hostage-takers endangers lives. But, the government has said it is sticking to its line of not making “substantive concessions” to kidnappers. The media blackout imposed on this story was also criticised.Is this the right way to go?

How Much Is Your Health Worth?

Thanks to all of you for your thought-provoking comments on what America should do about the millions of people who don’t have health insurance. Newshour’s Saturday programme took a close look at President Obama’s promise to make health care more affordable for everyone. You can listen back here, until 2:00 pm London time on Sunday (just click the “Listen” button on the link, and the discussion is the second half of the hour). And the online debate continues!

Who do you trust to tell you what’s happening in Iran ?

If you are anywhere near a TV showing BBC World – we’re on at 16.30 BST

The true and undisputed winners of the Iranian elections have emerged - Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and You Tube  have been bathing in the limelight. Here’s the BBC’s breakdown on social media in Iran. The Iranian government’s blocking of traditional media outlets has meant that microblogging has been our main source of information.

Trail for WHYS on TV

Did Ayatollah Khamenei get it right?

He didn’t mince his words. Stop the protests, the result will stand, the ballot box not the street will decide who leads Iran, the scale of electoral fraud alleged is simply not possible, some foreign countries had shown their true colours (singling out Britain) and don’t understand Iran, and that Iran’s human rights record compares favourable with the West. Was this the speech Iran needed at the end of a tumultuous week?

Should the world “meddle” in Iran?

The unrest in Iran shows no sign of letting up. And as the country braces itself for another chaotic day of protests and division, people around the world – diplomats and punters alike – are discussing whether other countries should speak up.

WHYS Wednesday; an apology.

Yesterday’s programme from the tent in west London fell way below what you’re entitled to expect from us and i can only apologise.

It wasn’t actually our fault, (though i’m not saying i didn’t make any mistakes !) but that doesn’t matter – it was a tough listen and i can only hope we don’t inflict anything like that on you again.

If there was one saving grace, the BBC’s podcast system has been down for a while, so we didn’t irritate any more people than we already had.

I’ll explain :

On air: Do protests hijack the agenda?

WHYS and AHYS special from BBC Global News Live! event.
WHYS photostream / WHYS Twitter feed

The massive protests in Tehran over the past two days have been the centre of your attention and the media’s as well. Quite right we at the BBC would argue as Iran has seen nothing like them for 30 years. But is there a danger that these protests start underpinning a certainty that the result must be inaccurate?

What next for Iran? Your questions to Iranians

7 people have been killed according to Iranian state radio and more protests are planned today. There could be more violence as Ahmadinejad supporters plan a demonstration at the same place as the pro Mousavis.