News Avoidance, Counterpoint, and Ukrainecast Follow-Up

News Avoidance, Counterpoint, and Ukrainecast Follow-Up

From Feedback by BBC Radio 4

March 5, 2026 · 29 min

About this episode

The episode discusses news avoidance trends and listener feedback on BBC Radio's coverage and programming changes.

The main news this week has been about the US-Israel attacks on Iran - but how is BBC Radio handling its coverage? We'll hear from you on the situation. And in light of that, is there a chance that more and more people might be switching the news off? BBC Radio 4 recently aired a series of programmes all about positive news items, which many listeners felt was a relief to hear. Presenter Andrea Catherwood talks to Nic Newman, a founding member of the BBC News website and currently a Senior research associate with the Reuters Institute for the study of journalism, to find out what's fuelling the trend towards news avoidance. Following our piece last week about the end of regular episodes of Ukrainecast, we'll hear more of your thoughts on what you'll miss about the podcast. We also hear from listeners concerned that the music quiz programme Counterpoint is no longer recorded in front of a live audience. And there's information about how you can give your thoughts in the UK government's ongoing open consultation on the BBC's Charter Renewal, which closes at midnight on 10th March. The survey can be found on the government's website, under the heading Britain's Story: The Next…

People in this episode

Host: Andrea Catherwood

Guest: Nic Newman

Topics covered

  • news avoidance
  • BBC coverage
  • positive news
  • listener feedback
  • Ukrainecast
  • Counterpoint
  • BBC Charter Renewal

Keywords

  • news avoidance
  • BBC Radio
  • positive news
  • Ukrainecast
  • Counterpoint
  • listener feedback
  • Iran
  • US-Israel attacks
  • Charter Renewal

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC Radio, Reuters Institute for the study of journalism, BBC Radio 4

Places: US, Israel, Iran

More episodes of Feedback

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Feedback podcast page.