Panorama — Season 57

Aired 5 January 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.

Aired 12 January 2009

Raphael Rowe goes inside prisons to gain rare access to the young offenders convicted of carrying, using or even killing with a knife.

Aired 19 January 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?

Aired 26 January 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.

Aired 2 February 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.

Aired 9 February 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.

Aired 16 February 2009

The current affairs series asks how radicals should be treated and examines suspicions that community projects are being used to gather intelligence.

Aired 23 February 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.

Aired 2 March 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.

Aired 9 March 2009

Panorama looks at a proposed amnesty for hundreds of thousands of long-standing illegal immigrants, championed by London mayor Boris Johnson.

Aired 16 March 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.

Aired 23 March 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.

Aired 27 March 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.

Aired 30 March 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.

Aired 6 April 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.

Aired 9 April 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.

Aired 13 April 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.

Aired 20 April 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.

Aired 27 April 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.

Aired 4 May 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.

Aired 11 May 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.

Aired 18 May 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?

Aired 25 May 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.

Aired 1 June 2009

Vivian White challenges David Southall to answer his critics and uncovers evidence that may support his claim of victimisation.

Aired 8 June 2009

As Iranians prepare to elect a president, Jane Corbin asks whether Obama's recent plea for greater understanding will be heeded.

Aired 15 June 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.

Aired 22 June 2009

Exclusive access to airborne troops and to footage shot in Taliban-controlled towns reveal the story of Pakistan's fight against extremists.

Aired 29 June 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?

Aired 6 July 2009

Panorama asks if police tactics aimed at preventing troublemakers taking over demonstrations are eroding the freedom to protest.

Aired 13 July 2009

Current affairs. Did interrogation techniques used by the Bush administration after 9/11 break US and international law? Hilary Andersson investigates.

Aired 20 July 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.

Aired 27 July 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.

Aired 3 August 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.

Aired 10 August 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.

Aired 17 August 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.

Aired 24 August 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.

Aired 7 September 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.

Aired 14 September 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?

Aired 16 September 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?

Aired 21 September 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?

Aired 28 September 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.

Aired 30 September 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?

Aired 5 October 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.

Aired 12 October 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.

Aired 19 October 2009

Two British Asian reporters pose as a couple living on a housing estate to investigate racism in Britain. Contains racially offensive language.

Aired 26 October 2009

Are we safe from dangerous prisoners released back onto our streets? A Panorama investigation reveals the extent of crimes committed by ex-convicts.

Aired 2 November 2009

With exclusive access to Coventry's social workers, Panorama follows the emergency response team as they attempt to identify children at risk.

Aired 9 November 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.

Aired 16 November 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.

Aired 23 November 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.

Aired 30 November 2009

Panorama investigates whether supermarket giant Tesco is now leading the business fightback against man-made global warming.

Aired 7 December 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.

Aired 14 December 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.