Documentaries

In a society where the sexes are strictly segregated, it is common for boys to dance for men in Afghanistan at weddings and traditional gatherings. But the tradition exposes the boys to sexual abuse.

Lucy Williamson reports on why Mexico, a developing Catholic nation, is the latest country to turn away from marriage.

"I was sentenced to 12 years for writing poetry." Russian poet and dissident, Irina Ratushinskaya contemplates the role of poetry in her country.

Albania's paranoid Cold War dictator stockpiled vast amounts of ammunition to threaten potential invaders. Albania now wants to get rid of the old ammunition -- and quickly. It's even willing to give it away. For Assignment Neal Razzell meets those trying to shift what the government calls "the heavy burden of the past."

Throughout history donkeys, pigs, dogs, rats, even insects have been put on trial and some convicted and sentenced. Frances Fyfield, looks at these extraordinary cases of animals in court.

Why is the nuclear family model so successful across the developing world? Lucy Williamson reports from Nepal - currently experiencing one of the fastest-ever shifts from extended families to nuclear ones. Who are the winners and losers in that process?

From Italy to India, David Goldblatt examines the ever changing face of Formula One. Can Europe financially support the sport and does it matter that a country like India has been chosen to host the event?

What happens when you take a run down African city and introduce a brand new oil industry worth billions of dollars? For Assignment Rob Walker reports from port city of Takoradi on the impact oil is having.

The government behind the economic powerhouse that is Singapore guards its reputation for stability to the point of authoritarianism and censorship. What happens when journalists challenge the status quo?

Why has India's north-east insurgency lasted so long, and is there any hope of a peaceful resolution? The BBC's Rupa Jha investigates and asks if special powers granted to the military are prolonging the problems.

From Italy to India, David Goldblatt examines the ever changing face of Formula One. Can Europe financially support the sport and does it matter that a country like India has been chosen to host the event?

John Mohammed Butt travelled to Kabul in the 1960s. Rather than finding drugs and hedonism, he discovered a tribal culture that transfixed him. Now a trained Imam and Muslim, he has dedicated his life to spreading peace in South Asia. But as reporter Nadene Ghouri discovers in this week's Assignment, that message has made him a target for militants.

In Thailand, what part have - illegal - community radio stations had to play in the demonstrations by activists - redshirt or yellowshirt - that occupy opposite ends of the political spectrum?

How does the spread of ideas impact individual lives, shape millions of minds, fuel revolutions and alter world opinion? The BBC's Afshin Dehkordi is on a quest to find out in the context of both Iran's recent media revolution and the overthrow of the Shah in 1979.

Dancehall singer Sean Paul, Hip hop star Missy Elliot and Malian singer Habib Koite all use a deceptively simple but hypnotic beat from the heart of Africa in some of their biggest hits. But what is it? Music journalist Rita Ray journeys to Ghana to find out.