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Goodbye to Bush House

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15/07/2012

BBC Radio 4 - Goodbye to Bush House

A mixture of memories and archive about the BBC World Service in Bush House, 1941-2012.

John Tusa presents memories and archive about the BBC World Service in Bush House, to mark its move from the site in the Strand, London, where it has been based for over 70 years.

For over 70 years the BBC World Service has been based in Bush House, in the Strand in central London. On Thursday 12 July at midday, the last news bulletin will be broadcast from Bush House. At precisely 1206 that day, the transmitters on the roof of the building will shut down, and the doors to Bush House will close behind the World Service as it moves to join the rest of BBC News in Broadcasting House. To mark this historic occasion, the former managing director of the World Service, John Tusa, listens to the memories and stories of producers, reporters and presenters who've worked in the building over the years. From De Gaulle's broadcasts to the Free French during World War II, through to the Cold War, decolonisation, the Iranian Revolution, the Falklands War, Perestroika, Tiananmen Square, two Gulf Wars and into the new Millennium, the World Service has reported on world events twenty four hours a day, at its peak in over 40 languages from Bush House. John Tusa examines the key World Service values of impartiality, adherence to the truth and public service - did the BBC always live up to its own standards when reporting the world? When did it fall down and why? And what was it like to work in Bush House, with its grand exterior of huge columns and arches, marble floors and staircases, masking a confusing rabbit warren of offices and studios behind? That's Goodbye to Bush House, with John Tusa.

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