Documentaries

Throughout the week BBC World Service offers a wide range of documentaries and other factual programmes. This podcast offers you the chance to access landmark series from our archive.

DocArchive: South Africa's Promised Land: Assignment - July 31, 2008

After the ending of apartheid in South Africa, the transfer of land from white to black was a key ANC promise - a proud calling card to correct the injustices of apartheid. But many critics argue that the reform programme has gone badly wrong. For Assignment Rosie Goldsmith reports on the struggle for South Africa's promised land, which is driving a political, economic and racist wedge down the middle of an already tense country.
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/docarchive/docarchive_20080731-0909.mp3

DocArchive: The Trouble with Money - Part 1 - July 29, 2008

With the world's economy now threatened by what some believe is the most dangerous crisis since the depression of the 1930s, Michael Robinson looks at the deepening international financial turmoil.
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/docarchive/docarchive_20080729-1638.mp3

DocArchive: Secrets in the Blood - Part Two - July 25, 2008

In this two-part investigation, Matt McGrath sets out to expose corruption, drug use and cover-ups at the highest levels in sport.
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/docarchive/docarchive_20080725-1438.mp3

DocArchive: Trouble in the Townships: Assignment - July 23, 2008

In May violence against African immigrants exploded across South Africa. Two months on thousands are still displaced, living in camps and shelters. Robert Walker travels to one of the townships in Johannesburg where the attacks started and asks whether the violence could happen again.
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/docarchive/docarchive_20080723-0906.mp3

DocArchive: Building Better Health - Part Two - July 23, 2008

Jill McGivering explores whether China is doing enough to provide healthcare to 1.3 billion people and what it can learn from the struggles of the developed world.
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/docarchive/docarchive_20080723-0900.mp3

DocArchive: Beijing Calling - Part One - July 18, 2008

Russell Fuller follows the difficult journeys of six hopefuls from around the world in the run up to the Beijing Olympics.
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/docarchive/docarchive_20080718-1316.mp3

DocArchive: Secrets in the Blood - Part One - July 18, 2008

DocArchive: Football's Conmen - Assignment - July 17, 2008

An undercover BBC investigation has exposed how young African footballers are being defrauded by conmen posing as talent scouts from English Premiership clubs. Victims are duped into parting with thousands of pounds in the false belief that they are paying an official fee for a trial to play with their favourite teams. Gavin Lee reports from Nigeria for Assignment.
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/docarchive/docarchive_20080717-0906.mp3

DocArchive: Building Better Health - July 15, 2008

Part One: Jill McGivering compares two very different free health systems in the developed world: the British NHS and that of the US state of Massachusetts.
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/docarchive/docarchive_20080715-1657.mp3

DocArchive: Policing the Poppy Fields - Part Two - July 11, 2008

In the second part of this series, Kate Clark reports from those provinces where an opium ban is in force, but farmers are feeling the pressure.
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/docarchive/docarchive_20080711-1414.mp3