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The Fifth Floor

Factual: Life Stories

Global stories from the BBC’s 40 Language Services, with Faranak Amidi

Faranak Amidi presents global stories from the Fifth Floor, home to the BBC’s 40 Language Services.

Faranak Amidi presents global stories from the Fifth Floor, home to the BBC’s 40 Language Services

The Fifth Floor: The Legacy of 1984

Surveillance

14/11/2014

The Legacy of 1984

BBC World Service - The Fifth Floor, The Legacy of 1984

Why sales of George Orwell's iconic novel of a totalitarian state are soaring in Egypt

The global legacy of George Orwell's iconic novel; Meeting Syria's White Helmets; What makes an "ethical" Ugandan; and a bad day on the Niger Delta

This week the Arabic media were full of stories about a student in Egypt arrested for carrying a book - not just any book though. It was 1984 by George Orwell. Now police did say later that Mohammed T had been pulled in for taking pictures of security forces, but either way the cat was out of the bag, and sales and free downloads of 1984 soared online. Why is 1984 still so powerful after all these years? Mohamed Yehia of BBC Arabic and BBC Editor Olexiy Solohubenko discuss the continuing global legacy of Orwell's iconic novel.

Also in the programme:

Meeting Syria's White Helmets
In Syria when the bombs go off the White Helmets go in. Mehrnoush Pourziaiee of BBC Persian reflects on her meeting with members of the Syrian volunteer rescue team and considers how her meeting made her reconsider her own memories of war.

Online Greatest Hits
Digital diva Fifi Haroon gives the lowdown on the weird and wonderful stories across the web, including the stupid virus and a marriage proposal with 99 iPhones.

What Makes an Ethical Ugandan?
Last week Uganda's Minister for Ethics and Integrity called for a well-known female musician to be investigated and arrested over nude pictures taken by her ex-boyfriend. According to the minister, the musician - who is now in hiding - 'broke' the country's anti-pornography law.  Uganda is a largely conservative society and the last few years have seen a steady moral policing of the country - from a ban on miniskirts to a new proposal for tougher anti-gay laws. From Kampala,  BBC Africa's Catherine Byaruhanga reflects on what it means to be an 'ethical' Ugandan.

Stories from the Frontline: Reporting the Niger Delta
BBC Hausa's Abdullahi Kaura Abubakar recalls a seriously tough day at the office - involving two Russian adventurers, four American hostages, some speedboats, and a camp full of drunk and high militants from the Niger Delta. Some tight corners, a narrow escape and ultimate a happy ending. He tells David of the rollercoaster ride of reporting Nigeria.

The Fifth Floor is presented by David Amanor.

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