The Corrections

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The Corrections: Trojan Horse: The anonymous letter

Trojan Horse: The anonymous letter

BBC Radio 4 - The Corrections, Trojan Horse: The anonymous letter

Revisiting the Birmingham Trojan Horse Affair to see what was really behind the headlines

In 2014 an anonymous letter about a supposed plot to Islamise schools in Birmingham sparked hundreds of headlines. But was it true? The Corrections investigates.

In 2014 an anonymous letter was sent to journalists detailing a 5 step plan to Islamise schools in Birmingham. The so-called Trojan Horse Affair sparked hundreds of articles and several investigations. But the letter was not all it seemed. The Corrections asks, what was going on behind the headlines? 

Presenter Jo Fidgen speaks to key players, reporters and media watchers about how the coverage measured up to the reality. How did a local education story become a national security issue? And what dilemmas do journalists face when in receipt of an anonymous tip-off? 

In a 3-part series, Jo explores how two incompatible narratives developed; how the controversial word ‘extremism’ entered the fray; and what the affair revealed about Britishness. Narrative consultant John Yorke is on hand to explain how storytelling techniques possibly influenced the direction the Trojan Horse story took, and why – in the end – we hear only the version that supports our tribe. 

Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Editor: Emma Rippon

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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News stories that left the public with the wrong idea about what really happened.

The Corrections revisits news stories that left the public with the wrong idea about what really happened and investigates how and why the narrative went awry.

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