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File on 4 Investigates

BBC Radio 4
Mental Health
NHS
Ketamine
Domestic Abuse
Climate Change
Addiction
Brianna Ghey
Church Of England
Burnley
Drugs
Homelessness
Liverpool
UK Government
Carbon Offsetting
Compensation Claims
United Kingdom
Asylum Seekers
Employee Assistance Programmes
Mobile Phone Theft
Child Welfare

News-making original journalism documentary series, investigating stories at home and abroad.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes500Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & CultureNews

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Artwork for File on 4 Investigates

Latest Episodes

Liv Nervo is one of the world’s most successful female DJs, who along with her twin sister, make up NERVO. She was starting a family with a man she believed was the love of her life - but at six months pregnant, she discovered he had been living a do... more

Hair Strand Tests can show if parents have been using drink or drugs. Such tests play can a central part in Family Court hearings every year as judges decide whether children should go into care or not. Some barristers have been raising the alarm ove... more

As the government plans major reform of the England's Special Educational Needs system, File on 4 Investigates goes back to the floor, spending time with councils as funding decisions are made and with families trying to navigate a system in flux.

more

Police have dealt with scores of cases involving home-made 3D printed guns in the UK in the last three years. Data obtained by File on 4 Investigates from the National Crime Agency shows that criminals and extremists have attempted to manufacture the... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Emily (pseudonym)
Mother whose case was featured, her words voiced by an actress
Individual case participant
Episode: Hair Strand Tests in the Family Court
Jane (pseudonym)
Mother in the North East case, interviewed for the programme
Individual case participant
Episode: Hair Strand Tests in the Family Court
Amy Van Zyl
Chief executive of Her Circle charity
Her Circle
Episode: Hair Strand Tests in the Family Court
Sarah Branson
Family barrister and expert on hair strand testing
Family law
Episode: Hair Strand Tests in the Family Court
Jonathan Adler
Barrister specializing in cases like Emily's
Law
Episode: Hair Strand Tests in the Family Court
Denise Monks
Representative from British Association of Social Workers
BASW
Episode: Hair Strand Tests in the Family Court
Professor Gillian Tully
Former government forensic science regulator
Independent expert
Episode: Hair Strand Tests in the Family Court
Christian Ashwell
Head of threat for firearms and explosives, National Crime Agency
National Crime Agency
Episode: Locked and Downloaded: The rise in 3D printed guns
Dr. Rachel Bolton-King
Associate Professor of Forensic Science
Nottingham Trent University
Episode: Locked and Downloaded: The rise in 3D printed guns

Hosts

Sanchia Berg
Host of the programme
Michael Buchanan
BBC's social affairs correspondent and host of the program

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 374 ratings
  • Proper investigative journalism

    Clever and incisive. Highly recommend for anyone interested in grown up public service journalism that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RadioHead84!
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Inside Migrant Hotel

    Sue Mitchell is an investigative journalist I really admire. She is fair & puts all points of view. I felt bad for the Iraq family - 9 years & no settlement. They sound a good family, I think they would be an asset for the UK. They should be given asylum status & allowed to stay. The taxi situation is truly shocking. What are the Home Office doing. Can’t even give figures on how much this is all costing the tax payer & no figures on babies born in hotels. They just don’t care. Shows th... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lynettelilac
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • Awful background music playing in many episodes, while people are presenting

    There is absolutely no need to have music for paying while people are speaking and giving information. It makes so many episodes unbearable and I’m sure inaccessible for many people to. Please stop, the music adds nothing and really should not be done in podcasts - music should only be used as an interlude or while no one is speaking.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Sghftp
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • Appalling lack of balance

    In a programme about obstetric alternatives and modern obstetrics never once a mention of the changes in infant mortality between era of all free birth and the modern system. A hundred years ago infant mortality was ~20% now it is ~1%. The hatred of expertise is fatal and the BBC has a long track record of damaging public health having embraced Wakefield In the anti-vac early days.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    regattaguru
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • The Organ Harvesters

    There are many good episodes in this series. The organ harvesters was particularly good and if you are new to this podcast, this is a very good place to start.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    James99999
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Consistently high-quality journalism that shines a light on underreported issues.
Occasional critique about pacing or balance; still deeply informative.
Insightful, rigorous reporting that blends data with human stories.
Strong investigative approach; highly credible guests and sources.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Adding Up: How Councils meet the costs of Special Educational Needs
Q: What's helped you in school?
A combination of inclusive practices, local support, and targeted funding that allows the student to participate in various activities and programs.
Adding Up: How Councils meet the costs of Special Educational Needs
Q: OK, Maeda, what have you got ready at a school?
A practical plan focused on making inclusion work, including ARPs and mainstream integration, while keeping an eye on budget constraints and funding opportunities.
Fight on the Right: The MAGA Civil War
Q: How did the alt-right evolve within the MAGA ecosystem?
It moved from fringe theory to a credible-sounding influence through strategic media appearances, online amplification, and connections with key conservative figures, gradually shaping mainstream discourse.
No CCTV: When train attacks go unrecorded
Q: What improvements are Transport for London implementing regarding CCTV?
Transport for London is working to improve CCTV coverage as part of their maintenance program but needs capital investment from the government.
Chemsex: Hidden Pleasures, Hidden Harms
Q: How much of a problem has chemsex become?
Chemsex has become a significant issue, with an increase in addiction and related harms observed in various communities, beyond just London.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About File on 4 Investigates

What is File on 4 Investigates about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This series centers on hard-hitting investigative journalism that dissects public-interest issues through on-the-ground reporting, expert testimony, and human stories. Episodes frequently explore regulatory gaps, the human impact of policy choices, and the tension between institutional power and accountability. Notable throughlines include forensic interpretation in family law, the costs and consequences of bureaucratic systems, and the rise of modern safety and legality challenges—from 3D-printed weapons to financial misconduct and medical ethics. The program tends to feature a mix of scientists, lawyers, policymakers, and activists, offering rigorous analysis alongside intimate personal perspectives that illuminate how systems affect real... more

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To see how many followers or subscribers File on 4 Investigates has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to File on 4 Investigates?

These podcasts share a similar audience with File on 4 Investigates:

1. The Slow Newscast
2. Top Comment
3. Shadow World
4. The Story
5. The Briefing Room

How many episodes of File on 4 Investigates are there?

File on 4 Investigates launched 21 years ago and published 500 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact File on 4 Investigates?

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What guests have appeared on File on 4 Investigates?

Recent guests on File on 4 Investigates include:

1. Emily (pseudonym)
2. Jane (pseudonym)
3. Amy Van Zyl
4. Sarah Branson
5. Jonathan Adler
6. Denise Monks
7. Professor Gillian Tully
8. Christian Ashwell

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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