2009
2009 · 53 episodes
Episodes
1. Kids Behaving Badly
January 5, 2009
Whether it is 10-year-olds talking about who they have snogged or schoolgirls calling themselves sluts on their social-networking profile pages, it seems our kids can't get away from sex. But what happens when the banter and name-calling gets physical? Jeremy Vine reveals the problem of sexual bullying in our schools and hears from experts, parents and teachers - but most importantly from the kids themselves - on what we can do to tackle it.
2. Jailed for a Knife
January 12, 2009
Raphael Rowe goes inside prisons to gain rare access to the young offenders convicted of carrying, using or even killing with a knife.
3. What Now, Mr President?
January 19, 2009
Barack Obama takes over as US President with a promise to change America and make it a fairer place. Can he reshape the world's most powerful country?
4. Have I Got Bad Language For You?
January 26, 2009
Frank Skinner sets out to discover if the Ross-Brand storm really was a watershed in broadcasting's debate about bad language and offence.
5. Tax Me if You Can
February 2, 2009
Britain is bust and ordinary taxpayers are getting hammered, but it seems that the super-rich can still squirrel their money away in tax havens like Liechtenstein, Jersey and the Caymans. John Sweeney follows the missing millions, and asks if it is time to close the tax havens down.
6. Gaza: Out of the Ruins
February 9, 2009
As Israel prepares to vote on its future, Jeremy Bowen travels through a devastated Gaza to ask where the recent conflict now leaves the future of the region.
7. Muslim First, British Second
February 16, 2009
The current affairs series asks how radicals should be treated and examines suspicions that community projects are being used to gather intelligence.
8. Credit Where It's Due
February 23, 2009
Business dragon Theo Paphitis asks if the banks and the government are doing enough to help Britain's 4.7 million small businesses survive the recession.
9. What Happens After Sorry?
March 2, 2009
As RBS announces what are predicted to be the biggest losses in British history, Panorama tells the story of the bank's dramatic fall from grace.
10. Immigration - Time for an Amnesty?
March 9, 2009
Panorama looks at a proposed amnesty for hundreds of thousands of long-standing illegal immigrants, championed by London mayor Boris Johnson.
11. Crime Pays
March 16, 2009
Panorama reveals how organised crime is defeating attempts to claw back its profits, and how the Crown has been reduced to making tax deals with criminals.
12. Who Will Save the Savers?
March 23, 2009
As the credit crunch pushes Britain's pensions and savings time-bomb to a new level, Panorama asks experts to help those facing an uncertain future.
13. 1959: A Panorama Guide
March 27, 2009
Documentary looking back at 1959 through the eyes of the BBC current affairs programme Panorama, recalling a time when Britain finally realised that the old world was disappearing.
14. The Gunmen Who Never Went Away
March 30, 2009
With soldiers and police once again being killed in the province, Panorama offers a detailed analysis of the resurgent terrorist threat in Northern Ireland, based on ten years' work investigating the breakaway Republican movement, its aims, its roots and its tactics.
15. Slumdogs and Millionaires
April 6, 2009
Panorama goes undercover in the millionaires' playground of Dubai to look at luxury developments. Reporter Ben Anderson discovers that behind the glossy sales brochures is an army of construction workers living in appalling conditions.
16. Britain's Homecare Scandal
April 9, 2009
Paul Kenyon investigates care of the elderly and goes undercover to expose a world of chaos. Carers on minimum wages - often with little training - battle to provide decent care.
17. Life After Woolies
April 13, 2009
Current affairs. Since the closure of Woolworths' 807 retail outlets, Panorama has followed some of the 27,000 former staff as they try to escape unemployment.
18. May Contain Nuts
April 20, 2009
Current affairs. Panorama investigates why the deadly serious matter of health and safety has become a laughing stock, and why it has strayed from its original aim.
19. Who'd Be an NHS Whistleblower?
April 27, 2009
Margaret Haywood put her career on the line to expose failings in the care of the elderly. Jeremy Vine asks why more aren't willing to speak out.
20. Baby P - The Whole Truth?
May 4, 2009
Reporter Alison Holt has further revelations on the case of Baby P, the baby boy who died while under the care of social workers in Haringey, London.
21. The Six Billion Dollar Man
May 11, 2009
John Sweeney goes on the trail of the dark side of banker Sir Allen Stanford who bowled over cricket and is accused of a multi-billion dollar fraud.
22. Stem Cells and Miracles
May 18, 2009
The current affairs programme follows a British family to China as they pin their hopes on a new stem cell therapy to give their daughter sight. As evidence mounts that some treatments offered abroad are bogus, will the child's eyesight improve, or are they destined for disappointment?
23. Is Your MP Working for You?
May 25, 2009
The expenses scandal is just the beginning and not the end of Westminster's troubles. Shelley Jofre reports on the other ways in which the new appetite for transparency may embarrass honourable members.
24. 'A Very Dangerous Doctor'
June 1, 2009
Vivian White challenges David Southall to answer his critics and uncovers evidence that may support his claim of victimisation.
25. Obama and the Ayatollah
June 8, 2009
As Iranians prepare to elect a president, Jane Corbin asks whether Obama's recent plea for greater understanding will be heeded.
26. The Death of Kiss and Tell
June 15, 2009
Investigating the growing trend of celebrities and public figures turning to privacy laws to suppress stories and photographs showing them in a bad light.
27. The Battle of Swat Valley
June 22, 2009
Exclusive access to airborne troops and to footage shot in Taliban-controlled towns reveal the story of Pakistan's fight against extremists.
28. Will the Scots Ever Be Happy?
June 29, 2009
Ten years after devolution, the Scots want more power north of the border, and the SNP want a referendum on independence. Can the UK be preserved?
29. What Ever Happened to People Power?
July 6, 2009
Panorama asks if police tactics aimed at preventing troublemakers taking over demonstrations are eroding the freedom to protest.
30. Licence to Torture
July 13, 2009
Current affairs. Did interrogation techniques used by the Bush administration after 9/11 break US and international law? Hilary Andersson investigates.
31. Save Our Steel
July 20, 2009
Current affairs. Panorama helps citizen journalists Steven, Belinda and Tony find out the future of the steel industry, which employs tens of thousands of people.
32. The Trauma Industry
July 27, 2009
Veteran BBC war reporter Allan Little investigates how the battlefield trauma of the Vietnam War - post-traumatic stress disorder - now ends up in British motor insurance claims, workplace accidents and school bullying.
33. Smugglers' Tales
August 3, 2009
Panorama reveals the endless game of cat and mouse between prisoners determined to get their fix and officers equally determined to keep drugs out of their jails.
34. The Truth About Happy Hour
August 10, 2009
Panorama visits the town tackling binge drinking with a radical new approach. Richard Bilton looks at reclaiming Britain's town centres from the drunk and violent, with the bar that makes it too difficult to get drunk and the battle against cheap drink promotions.
35. What Are We Fighting For?
August 17, 2009
With British soldiers dying in record numbers and the country arguing over the wisdom of the war, Jane Corbin travels across Afghanistan to ask if the British presence has made the lives of Afghan women any better, which was one of the justifications for going to war in the first place.
36. Gimme Shelter
August 24, 2009
Panorama reports on the elderly people who are taking to the streets in protest, and threatening legal action, because their residential wardens are being taken away.
37. Britain's Dirty Beaches
September 7, 2009
Sand, sea and sewage. With the quality of bathing water on the UK's beaches in decline, Panorama investigates the outflow pipes that discharge sewage, tampons and condoms after heavy rain, and commissions its own scientific tests, with some disturbing results. Declan Lawn reports.
38. Europe or Die Trying
September 14, 2009
Paul Kenyon travels three thousand miles along the most dangerous illegal immigration route out of Africa. Many die crossing the Sahara, or at sea on the way to a better life in Europe, but can the survivors convince those who follow that Europe in recession is no longer worth the risk?
39. Swine Flu: Everything You Need To Know
September 16, 2009
Everything you need to know about the first flu pandemic of the 21st century. Jeremy Vine, Sophie Raworth and Fergus Walsh travel through the UK and the world to expose the myths and the dangers of swine flu. Who is most vulnerable? How do you avoid it? And can the NHS cope?
40. Banks Behaving Badly?
September 21, 2009
Billions of taxpayers' money has been handed out to keep the banking system afloat, but what exactly have the banks given customers in return?
41. The Truth About Spending Cuts
September 28, 2009
The real effects of the recession may just be starting as John Ware challenges the politicians to come clean about their plans to slash public spending.
42. Dying to Be Treated?
September 30, 2009
In a Panorama special, the programme investigates a key Labour health policy that used the private sector to slash NHS waiting lists. Six years on, was it worth the price?
43. Migrants, Go Home!
October 5, 2009
Reporter Paul Kenyon continues his journey out of Africa following the route taken by 40,000 migrants a year seeking a better life in Europe.
44. Why Hate Ryanair?
October 12, 2009
Vivian White investigates the reasons why the ultimate 'no frills' airline has gained a reputation as the brand Britain loves to hate but can't stop using. Passengers, suppliers and insiders contribute, and chief executive Michael O'Leary doorsteps the programme makers in his own unique style.
45. Undercover - Hate on the Doorstep
October 19, 2009
Two British Asian reporters pose as a couple living on a housing estate to investigate racism in Britain. Contains racially offensive language.
46. Freed to Offend Again
October 26, 2009
Are we safe from dangerous prisoners released back onto our streets? A Panorama investigation reveals the extent of crimes committed by ex-convicts.
47. The Child Protectors
November 2, 2009
With exclusive access to Coventry's social workers, Panorama follows the emergency response team as they attempt to identify children at risk.
48. Assault on Justice
November 9, 2009
Shelley Jofre investigates whether punishing violent crimes with cautions and fines is letting some serious criminals off the hook and denying justice to victims.
49. Swimming with Loan Sharks
November 16, 2009
Loan sharks are thriving in recession-hit Britain, as the poor and vulnerable run out of credit and find themselves relying on criminals instead. Reporter Simon Boazman finds the victims who have suffered brutal violence, and looks at the lenders who can charge 17,000 per cent interest.
50. Lethal Enterprise
November 23, 2009
Panorama investigates a little-known law called joint enterprise, used to curb gang violence, and asks if the catch-all policy leads to miscarriages of justice.
51. Can Tesco Save the World?
November 30, 2009
Panorama investigates whether supermarket giant Tesco is now leading the business fightback against man-made global warming.
52. Can You Forgive Your MP?
December 7, 2009
Old politics were due to be swept away on a tide of moats and mortgages. But what has changed? Politicians discuss how they can regain the trust of voters.
53. Can't Deliver, Won't Deliver
December 14, 2009
What is wrong with the Royal Mail? Panorama investigates the service that gets around 5,000 complaints a day, and asks if it is failing its customers.