06/10/2017

The new Editor of Today defends her programme against listeners' accusations that coverage is no longer focused on the news. Sarah Sands addresses concerns that 'softer' features have taken priority, discusses the future of the presenting team and sets out her vision for the future of Today.

When the programme ran several items on Fashion Week, a long interview with actress Judi Dench and on-location reporting from Silicon Valley on the launch of a new Apple smartphone, listeners wrote in to express their dissatisfaction with the coverage. Many stated that the emphasis for Today should be on news rather than features, with more analysis from BBC correspondents. Sarah Sands explains why this coverage was of relevance to the Today audience and discusses her plans to attract new audiences.

Also, we hear mixed reviews from listeners in response to the five-part series, 'Whodunnit: The Calendar Conspiracy'' examining the theory that when you are born has a direct impact on educational and professional success.

And the BBC responds to listeners' claims that there is a geographical bias in coverage favouring natural disasters that occur in the United States rather than the developing world.

Presenter: Roger Bolton Producer: Kate Dixon A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.