The Documentary Podcast: Archive 2010

In the final part of this series, Sir John Scarlett, the former head of Britain's Secret Intelligence Service talks about the interrogation of terrorist suspects and MI6's role in the run up to the war in Iraq.

The Philippines is one of the most dangerous places in the world to report from. More than thirty journalists were killed there in a single incident at the end of 2009. Kate McGeowan travels to the troubled southern island of Mindanao to meet one of the reporters whose job it is to cover the daily violence there.

How have advertisers and brand specialists convinced us to buy a commodity that is sold for a great deal more than it costs to produce? Louise Hidalgo looks at the exponential growth - and the cost - of the yoghurt industry.

In this two-part series, the BBC’s Paulo Cabral travels to the two places that marked Lula’s life – the poor region in the northeast where the president was born, and the industrial suburb of Sao Paulo where he made his reputation. What has been the legacy of one of the most popular politicians in Brazilian history?

The second part in this series describes what went on behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War. Former MI6 Chief John Scarlett describes his clandestine meeting with an agent and the Russian defector Oleg Gordievsky talks about his reasons for coming over to the other side.

For Assignment Rob Walker travels to the city of Tijuana on Mexico's border with the United States on the trail of one of Mexico's most controversial law enforcement officers.

How have advertisers and brand specialists convinced us to buy a commodity that is sold for a great deal more than it costs to produce? Louise Hidalgo looks at the exponential growth - and the cost - of the breakfast cereal industry.

Many Turks have lost faith in their judges, who are seen as out of touch and too close to Ataturk's secular and military state. What will determine this struggle for power between the government and judges?

Britain's Secret Intelligence Service, marks its centenary this year and BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera talks to senior intelligence figures as well as their former arch enemies about the shadowy world of espionage.

How have advertisers and brand specialists convinced us to buy a commodity that is sold for a great deal more than it costs to produce? Louise Hidalgo looks at the exponential growth - and the costs - of the bottled water industry.

Why are judges so important in today's world and how do the courts earn and use their power? In part one Laura Lynch hears from judges operating in Russia and Colombia – what does it take for judges to stand up to pressure?

Does Somalia deserve its bad reputation for corruption? In the second of a two-part series, Pascale Harter asks if, after nearly two decades of civil war, is it even fair to talk about corruption in Somalia? Or has it now begun to drive the conflict?

Does Sweden live up to its squeaky clean image? In the first of a two-part series looking at perceptions of state corruption, Pascale Harter investigates whether Sweden - consistently ranked among the least corrupt countries in the world - is quite as it seems.

"We like our crooks, our fast Eddies, and we find them entertaining." Steve Edwards takes to the mean streets of his hometown Chicago - asking why the Windy City is such a hotbed of corruption.

In this exclusive two-part documentary, Mike Costello travels to the Philippines to meet boxing legend, record-breaking eight times world champion, politician and national hero, Manny Pacquiao.

For Assignment Angus Stickler tracks how money has gone astray across the 27 member states of the European Union and asks why funding continues in regions with proven records of mismanagement and fraud.

You're standing on a footbridge next to a very big man. The only way you can stop an out-of-control train is to push him over the footbridge onto the track. His bulk will stop the train and save lives. Will you push him? Stephen Evans explores this moral dilemma to discover what sort of ethical creatures humans are.

In this exclusive two-part documentary, Mike Costello travels to the Philippines to meet boxing legend, record-breaking eight times world champion, politician and national hero, Manny Pacquiao.

More than six million people in Pakistan now face the start of winter without adequate shelter because their homes were destroyed in the devastating floods in August. Jill McGivering, who reported on the floods at the time, returns to one of the worst hit areas to investigate claims that corruption played a major part in the flood damage itself.

"Lucky them, they didn't have to fight the battles we fought." Michael Goldfarb traces the history of protest through the footsteps of those who have campaigned for and celebrated the rights of the gay community in Britain and across the globe.

"There are no words to describe when you lose your child, especially one who was full of life a talented girl that liked dancing." Sheena McDonald travels to Costa Rica to find out if new legislation to tackle drink-driving is working and reducing the number of road deaths.

Pioneering French marine explorer Jacques Cousteau brought marine life to cinema and television screens for the first time. Bridget Nicholls speaks to Costeau's friends, family and colleagues as they look back on the life of this difficult but inspiring man in the centennial of his birth.

Almost every day in the Russian republic of Dagestan there are reports of Islamist insurgents assassinating police officers and local officials. And there are regular clashes between extremists and the security forces across the republic. It's causing Moscow deep concern and they blame 'outside forces' for orchestrating the violence; but human rights groups say it's a combination of poverty and police brutality which is fuelling the insurgency. For Assignment Steve Rosenberg reports from Dagestan.

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character." Michael Goldfarb traces the history of the march through the footsteps of Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi and Mao Zedong.

"It's a woman with a tiny baby and luggage on the back of a motorbike with no helmet." Sheena McDonald travels to Kenya to find out what the government is doing to improve on road safety and reduce the number of traffic accidents.

Completed by the poet Ferdowsi in 1010 AD, the Shahnameh is widely regarded as a masterpiece of world literature. It is of central importance to Iranian culture and self-identity and has inspired some of the world's most exquisite manuscripts. Narguess Farzad dives into the text to explore the stories and themes contained within and to revel in the language.

For Assignment Thomas Fessy investigates allegations that a senior Congolese general profited from the illegal takeover of a gold mine.

Ali Abbas became an icon of the Iraq War when images of him with his arms amputated were beamed around the world. Seven years after an American rocket attack destroyed his home and killed 16 members of his family, Ali returns to Baghdad. Will he give in to the pressure of getting married?

"With the city being built here on our doorstep, I can look after the children and earn some money." Carrie Gracie returns to China to see how locals are embracing and benefiting from city life.

“If you say bye bye to that fountain of life you may as well say bye bye to my heritage.” How will a proposed copper mine affect Alaska’s main industry of salmon? The BBC’s Nick Rankin reports on the development opportunities – as well as environmental and social concerns – of this controversial proposal.

The people of Burma go to the polls on November 7th for the first time in 20 years. In 1990, an overwhelming majority voted for pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and her National League for Democracy. The Generals running the country ignored the result and have imposed strict military rule ever since. So, why are they holding elections now and do ordinary people care about them? Sue Lloyd Roberts travels across Burma to investigate.

Seven years after an American rocket attack destroyed his home, killed 16 members of his family, and left him without arms, Ali Abbas returns to Baghdad. Now 19 years old and with loved ones looking to arrange a marriage it’s time to become an adult but, with his childhood stolen, adapting is a struggle and the future uncertain. In part one, the BBC's Hugh Sykes joins Ali just before he leaves for Baghdad.

"We took the decision to build a new city ten years ago. We had four objectives: civilised, hygienic and scenic - with a focus on eco-tourism." Carrie Gracie returns to China to see how 21st Century urbanisation is progressing.

Nick Rankin reports from Alaska during the greatest wild salmon run in the world and joins commercial and subsistence fishermen who live off this natural resource.

As Ireland faces up to one of Europe's most punishing financial crises, Ed Butler looks at the growing anger amongst its citizens.

Travel writer Polly Evans goes to Guantanamo, Cuba, and talks to local people about the town where they live. How do they feel about it becoming synonymous with the prison camp that Amnesty International calls "the gulag of our times"?

The BBC's Central Asia correspondent, Rayhan Demytrie, explores the relationship between drugs and politics in Kyrgyzstan.

Organisers of the 2012 Olympic Games argue that its legacy will be felt for generations to come. With the prospects for jobs, will regeneration affect those who need it most?

It is two years to go until the London 2012 Olympic Games and the residents of a council estate nearby have been watching the venues take shape for a while now. One of the pledges when London won the 2012 bid to host the Olympics was that the East End - the socially deprived area of the city - would be lifted out of its poverty. Is the regeneration of the area affecting those it was supposed to target?

"I find it difficult to recognize famous people because they have very symmetrical faces. I only know Madonna by her eyeliner." How do our brains work in everyday life? In the last of a four-part series examining the mind’s complexities, Professor Barry Smith examines the link between the brain, memory and consciousness.

In the midst of a financial crisis, Maywood, a small city near Los Angeles, took the radical step of firing all city employees. Policing in Maywood is now handled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and many of the other city's services in operation are being handled by the nearby city of Bell. Mayor Ana Rizo claimed that it was either this or declaring bankruptcy. Simon Pitts discovers what went wrong in Maywood and explores why this decision was taken, and whether Maywood might be a model for other city governments facing financial hardship.

It’s halfway through the European ‘Decade of Roma inclusion’ but millions of euros in EU funding have failed to make a dent in Roma exclusion. Nick Thorpe travels to Romania, home to an estimated 2 million Roma – 10 % of the population - to find out why.

Can oral history challenge or alter the official past of a nation? History is often said to be written by the victors, but oral history has been strongly associated with the voices of the 'ordinary' citizens. Be it war, revolution or dictatorship, these accounts often offer different versions of the past. Alan Dein explores how this oral history can sometime collide with the official version committed to the history books - particularly in nations where the outcome is still bitterly contested.

"I have to choose between the fruit salad and the cream cake. Rationally, I know what I should do. I should choose the fruit salad. But will I?" How do our brains work in everyday life? In the third of a four-part series examining the mind’s complexities, Professor Barry Smith looks at how the brain makes decisions.

As a 23-year-old, young British colonial officer John Smith was put in charge of the vast area of Kano in Nigeria. In his position, he represented the might of the British Empire. Now 82, Smith returns to see how the country has fared after 50 years of freedom and to renew a remarkable friendship.

There's a tough marriage market in the US for single, college educated, black women. For Assignment Nina Robinson travels to New York to find out why.

Can oral history challenge or alter the official past of a nation? History is often said to be written by the victors, but oral history has been strongly associated with the voices of the 'ordinary' citizens. Be it war, revolution or dictatorship, these accounts often offer different versions of the past. Alan Dein explores how this oral history can sometime collide with the official version committed to the history books - particularly in nations where the outcome is still bitterly contested.

“When I wake up in the morning I think I’ve still got two normal arms and I have to look to see which one is not there.” How do our brains work in everyday life? In the second of a four-part series examining the mind’s complexities, Professor Barry Smith explores the link between the body and the brain.

Writer Cathy FitzGerald explores the past, present, and very real future of the magic carpet and wonders what our desire to defy gravity tells us about ourselves. We dream of flying and often long to fly unaided - is that part of it?

With anti-Islamic sentiment on the rise in America, Claire Bolderson reports for Assignment on what it is like to be a young American muslim in America and explores what is being done to stop them becoming alienated.