This is just a review for this K-pop podcast. (Tunnel 29 was 5 stars, amazing) This one is grindingly slow, repetitive and simplistic. It seems like the presenter is on half speed and been told to only use 200 key words. The story could be interesting, but it feels very 2D.

Too much repetitive teenage hyperbole. It’s almost like the presenter is a teenage fan.

From the very first words, I was hooked.

Helena Merrimen’s reading is clear, versed and incredibly passionate. This is a story of a daring escape, of a group of selfless people who against the odds set out to unite others that were locked on the wrong side of the Berlin wall.

I had to binge listen to the whole epic story.

I astonished by the dirty tricks of the Syrian war and fight for a narrative of this war. I cannot believe that people don’t see trough these tactics that had been played so many times by Russian regime. I’m very grateful to Chloe for following the story and getting those tactics into the daylight. I’ve also fear that our future threaten if we can’t get the facts straight and when every truth can be override by flood of fake news. It’s scary and more real than ever.

I really hope for all our sake and sake of democracy that the truth of the Syrian war and crime committed will surface on day and that the sacrifice of the Syrian people will not go in vain.

Excellent totally enjoyable

Both absolutely stunning series. Thankyou Chloe and team for your brave work in bringing this incredible, gut-wrenching and disturbing story to light. Look forward to working my way through the others on the podcast

I listened to the podcast about Tunnel 29 and it is amazing!!! Very moving as well. It has made me hate Siegfried Ushe sooo much that I would love to give him smart raps on the head.😤😤😤😡😡

A really good collection really insightful

In my first review of this brilliant podcast I called the Edinburgh Prof a “nut job” but in the latest episode he’s called a “f#@king moron” and that is actually much closer to the truth.

The last 2 mins of this latest episode from Chloe are chilling.. the “black hole of conspiracy and misinformation” she found herself in is indeed very worrisome for us all and more exceptional journalism like this and the very brave real truth seekers must be applauded, heard, listened to and ignored or discredited at our peril

Thank you for being brave enough to carry on! Brilliant show and shocking revelations!

Just finished Tunnel 29. Found it interesting, engrossing and moving. Now going to delve in to all the other series.

I have enjoyed all four series of this podcast. All very different stories but all with very thorough and unbiased reporting.

Update 6 Apr:

Latest postscript episode on the evidence gatherers is required listening. Thoroughly disappointing that a British professor - with every conceivable benefit and opportunity to cultivate a curious and enquiring mind and the techniques to use logic and an evidence based argument - can so easily be drawn into an unevidenced and toxic campaign of misinformation seemingly anchored on fervent belief. Whilst free speech is sacrosanct his role as the useful idiot of Russia and Syria have real consequences that his employer edinburgh university and the Scottish government who use him for covid strategy, should take notice of. The BBC deserve their licence fee for this series alone - coupled with the world service they can have a incredible impact in the battle against misinformation.

Original mayday review:

Slowly transparently and patiently this podcast exposes how Russia exploits all forms of media and the subset of vulnerable society that need that concept of finding a hidden truth or conspiracy in their lives.

It was a difficult listen because I found the powerlessness of those caught in the cross fire of Russia’s power play and conspiracy theorists terrifying and frustrating.

But I can’t see any other way to counter this challenge of our times - the undermining of the foundations of knowledge accumulation and evidence based understanding - well done to the journalist and the BBC.

If anyone doubted the BBC’s role or value in our modern society or its future importance they should listen to this.

I have enjoyed listening to the various stories and investigations from intrigued and have loved all the episodes

Sometimes uncomfortable, but compelling series. Excellent journalism - thank you

Thank you Chloe for great journalism. A very in-depth podcast.

I knew James briefly at school and was shocked by his death; a BBC war correspondent friend told me to listen to this podcast. I found it very interesting and eye opening to the stresses and criticism he was subjected to. Thank you Chloe.

I’m an avid podcast listener, I get through about 3-4 a month and Mayday is one of the best I’ve listened to of this genre. Chloe’s storytelling is superb and the sound palette is perfection. Utterly gripping. Please make more Chloe!

Very interesting listening. The best podcast I have listened to so far.

Intrigue is top quality podcasting. Thought provoking and highly recomended!

Gripping stuff, thank you.

Journalism at its old school finest!

One of the best podcasts I’ve listened to. Really enjoyed your work

Enjoyed the production, presentation and intrigue of Murder In The Lucky Hotel so looking forward to delving into the rest.

As opposed to Pittsmoor Man I became increasingly impressed with Chloe and her team’s investigation and the way it is presented. The subject and situation was examined forensically with admirable tenacity to speak to all sides involved and to not jump to conclusions.

There are so many political forces clashing in the chaotic situation which makes it so susceptible to manipulation. Social Media is clearly another frontline.

Really fascinating story that makes you think.

This is important listening and covers nicely a divisive topic. It gives a lot of airtime to the pro and anti views. Very well made I really enjoy Chloe’s and the teams work and this story should be heard by more people.

I was looking forward to this as it is a very interesting topic about an amazing organisation. Unfortunately the programme was put together to suggest external factors were involved.

Important work. Thank you for making it

Really well researched and well presented podcast of a story that needed to be held. Well done!

Well done Chloe you have set the gold standard for sloppy journalism. Disregard anything that doesn’t fit the narrative and give the balance of doubt to sustain your bias. A Mesurier love-in and a Beeley hate in. The hatchet job on Beeley showed your lack of impartiality.

This is a unique and thorough investigation of the workings of the propaganda machine. Necessary today, more than ever. First-class journalism and storytelling.

Worth reading the presenter’s emails with the subjects of her investigation alongside this piece of work. They are published on Twitter and are an illuminating glimpse into how a BBC journalist approaches potential interviewees. Sitting comfortably within the house style of the Beeb it is perhaps inevitable that an anti-Corbyn smear is worked into this subject, which patently has nothing to do with him.

Truth is destroyed and trampled in the dust in the Syrian war. Syria and Russia are complicit in the worst atrocities against Syrian citizens and laugh off the videos of their criminal acts as ‘faked news ‘. And they are helped along their way by the folly of people like Vanessa Beeley who fits perfectly the definition of a ‘useful fool’. She gives some undeserved credibility to the lies and distortions of Putin and Assad, driven by her obsessive conviction that the West is fomenting the rebellion in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East.

Have listened to each series and all have been fascinating, the latest one in this era of fake news and people who think they are not taken in by propaganda whilst being completely taken in is very 2020. An interesting listen thanks Chloe and the rest of the team.

This is a well researched and brilliantly told series. Absolutely riveting. Left shocked and disturbed by the campaign of disinformation against The White Helmets by self-styled conspiracy theorists. Absolutely tragic. Fantastic piece of investigative journalism. The BBC at its best.

Struck a cord that few documentaries have managed to touch. Truly exceptional research and broadcasting. Thank you for providing an insight to incredible personnel. My heart aches Emma and James’ family.

This series is laughably biased in favour of promoting UK government positions and denying the obvious reality of UK intelligence engaging in propaganda efforts including by using the BBC . It comes across as quite desperate in its insinuations, glaring omissions and one-sided agenda. Remember “Saving Syria’s Children” by Panorama? That was so obviously staged it was tragically comical. Well this series is in the same vein. There are two sides in this propaganda war and Chloe Hadjimatheou single mindedly attacks one and protects the other. She even scoffs at the idea that intelligence agencies use journalists or infiltrate news media. How naive can you get? There’s a long publicly available history of such tactics being the norm. The series is interesting in as much as it is itself a case-study in propaganda, albeit rather transparent.

Production, research and storytelling is amazing every time. Every series has had me hooked.

Carrie Gracie’s focus on the 4 main characters was impressively done. It was a thriller.

Tunnel 29 was a podcast I spotted whilst scrolling for new things to listen to. Thought it might be ok so tried it. So glad I did. So vividly brought to life and a really interesting story. I have to admit that this drew me in so much that I felt invested In the story. SPOILER ALERT! The part at the end where one of the tunnellers is reunited with his child whom he had never met brought a tear to my eye. A must listen.

These true stories lift the veil on China and post war Europe. They explain the complex web of politics at play and are truly absorbing.

Well told and fascinating

Well told, interesting stories

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Brilliant loved the podcast 10/10

Tunnel 29 👌🏻

Very Enjoyable with a nice steady story progression.

This is the first Podcast I’ve listened to - achieved in two sittings, as it was absolutely enthralling. I’ve learnt so much, whilst being captivating by a truly exciting and impressive account of sheer tenacity and bravery. It has made me want to find out more - and I have Helena Merriman to thank for getting my historical tastebuds activated. Unfortunately I accidentally gave Tunnel 29 three ratings of 1, 2 and 5 as I wasn’t familiar with the tapping of the stars.

Please create more - incredible insight and great delivery.