MUMBAI: BBC and Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) have joined forces to launch a new political debate and discussion show, Open Jirga.

The series, which is the first of its kind in Afghanistan, is presented by popular BBC journalist Daud Junbish.

    Open Jirga gives Afghans a chance to question politicians on country?s future
    Political debate show attracts panellists including government ministers
    Presented by BBC journalist Daud Junbish

It is produced by Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) with the BBC?s service for Afghanistan in Pashto and Dari, and BBC Media Action, the BBC?s international development charity.

Recorded in Dari and Pashto, Open Jirga (jirga means ?assembly? in Afghan languages) has a broad reach. The show provides people from across Afghanistan?s diverse communities with a platform to share their opinions with national leaders on the country?s future.

BBC?s service for Afghanistan editor Lutfullah Latif said, ?Afghanistan is undergoing major transitions linked to the drawdown of international forces and the presidential elections in 2014. Audiences have a lot of questions to ask, and this series of debate shows will provide an opportunity to air their views, hopes and fears.?

?Open Jirga? launched on RTA on 10 December and on the BBC?s service for Afghanistan in Pashto and Dari.

The studio audience from across the country took part in an animated discussion in the first episode, which tackled both the impact of the military withdrawal in 2014 on Afghanistan?s future, and the capacity and strength of the country?s security services.

A panel responded to questions from the audience. The panel included the Minster of the Interior, the Chief of Staff for Operations at the Defence Ministry, a female MP, Shukria Barakzai, the former Afghan Intelligence Chief, and former Deputy Interior Minister.

One audience member from Kabul asked: "The country?s borders are open to Iran and Pakistan. When these modern weapons are taken away [in 2014], how can the Afghan people be confident that the national borders are secure?"

When Junbish started to wrap up the show, many in the audience stood up and called out: ?The debate has just begun!?

BBC Media Action?s Afghanistan country director Shirazuddin Siddiqi said, ?This programme is the result of a decade-long aspiration. It will play an important role in Afghanistan?s media landscape by bringing ordinary Afghans together with state officials.?

RTA deputy DG Jalal Mahmoodi said, ?Our country has reached a critical moment in its history. ?Open Jirga? provides our nation with the platform to debate and explore the choices we are faced with?.

Five more episodes tackling issues including the country?s economy will broadcast over the coming months.

In preparation for the debates, in-depth audience research was undertaken by BBC Media Action in seven provinces to ensure the programme?s focus on the issues that count to people across the country.

MUMBAI: BBC has appointed Leon Wilde to the In-House Entertainment Department as Editor, Format Entertainment. He will take up his position in January.

Since 2009, Leon has been Executive Producer at Shine TV, where among other programmes he was the joint creator of ?The Magicians? (BBC One); ?Got To Dance? (Sky) and ?As Seen On TV? (BBC1).

Prior to this, he was Hat Trick Productions head of entertainment, creating shows such as ?What?s The Problem with Anne Robinson? (BBC One) and ?He?s Having A Baby? (BBC One and BBC Three).

Before this, he was at Granada, where he co-created shows including ?Saturday Night Takeaway? (ITV1); ?Brainiac: Science Abuse? (Sky One); ?Fight School? (Sky1) and ?Pop Stars the Rivals? (ITV1).

He said, "After a long time working in the independent sector I?m delighted to be bringing my enthusiasm for fun and inclusive prime time formats to the BBC, where I hope to build on their already impressive roster of joyful and triumphant entertainment programmes."

BBC controller entertainment and events Katie Taylor said, "Leon lives and breathes entertainment formats, so I look forward to seeing what he can conjure up for BBC audiences."

MUMBAI: Channel 4 and the BBC in the UK have reached an agreement which will see the transfer of broadcast rights to the 2013 IAAF World Athletics Championships pass to the BBC.

The BBC already has the broadcast rights to both the 2015 and 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships.

The agreement reflects Channel 4?s acquisition, this year, of any enhanced portfolio of major horse racing events from January 2013, including The Grand National, The Derby and Royal Ascot.

The acquisition of the 2013 IAAF World Athletics Championships will see the BBC continue in its extensive support of Olympic sports in the build-up to Rio in 2016 and which culminates in 2017 when the Championships will be held at the Olympic Stadium in London. It also adds to the breadth and depth of a current sports rights slate which includes major tournaments such as the Six Nations, Wimbledon, Formula 1 and The Open.

Channel 4 Director of Commercial Affairs Martin Baker said, ?Since the deal for the 2011 and 2013 World Athletics Championships was agreed in 2010, Channel 4 has acquired the rights to the major events of UK horse racing and the BBC has announced that it will broadcast the 2015 and 2017 World Athletics Championships.

?We are pleased to have reached a commercial agreement with the BBC for the 2013 Championships which reflects the changing nature of both broadcasters? sports portfolios.?

BBC Sport director Barbara Slater said, "We are delighted to have secured the 2013 World Athletics Championships. It allows BBC Sport to build on the London 2012 Olympic legacy through coverage of the 2013, 2015 and 2017 World Championships. Added to the Commonwealth games in Glasgow in 2014 and the Rio Olympics in 2016 it will take the BBC audience on an Athletics journey from London 2012 to London 2017.?

MUMBAI: The UK pubcaster BBC?s expenses and central bookings in the first quarter ended 30 June 2012 are up one per cent from a quarter earlier but down by eight per cent from a year earlier, the broadcaster said in its expenses disclosures.

Taxi costs in particular have come down by 20 per cent this quarter and are down 57 per cent since it began publishing expenses details in 2009.

The pubcaster adds that it is committed to providing more transparency in how it is spending the licence fee and this is its 13th expenses disclosure.

A BBC spokesperson said, "Expenses have risen by one per cent this quarter but are down by eight per cent on the previous year. They remain within a range that is proportionate to running a media organisation of this size. We continue to be mindful of how we spend public money and to drive down costs wherever possible."

The BBC has been publishing the salaries and expenses of the most senior managers since Autumn 2009.