Dispatches

In the first ot two documentaries examining the predicament of Britain's immigrant communities, the film looks at the secret world of the illegal immigrant. The report exposes the organised crime behind the trade together with the appalling living conditions with which the immigrants are faced and their exploitation in the workplace. For six months, a team of four undercover reporters lived as illegal immigrants, joining gangs of Albanians exploited in the building trade, being attacked by racists, and working long hours for low pay in London hotels and restaurants. The programme also reveals the plight of asylum seekers in the north of England, where, having been placed in cold and inadequate flats on housing estates where they are continually threatened by racist gangs, large numbers are leaving the accommodation and are vanishing from the system. Contributors include Martin Slade of the Immigration Service Union and Lord Desai.

In this programme, stand-up comedian Omid Djalili, son of Iranian immigrants who came to the UK in 1958, presents his view on living in Britain as a "bloody foreigner". He investigates what life is like for today's asylum seekers.

Exposing the big lie which sits at the heart of the global policy on heroin. How ignorant politicians are creating the very problems which they claim that their prohibition policy is solving.

Documentary reporting on the proposed forthcoming release of murderers Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, and the emotions this has stirred up, with the Justice for James campaign organised by James Bulger's mother Denise Fergus, protesting against their release. Looks at questions of punishment and rehabilitation and at how inmates at secure units are treated.

Documentary looking at life in Afghanistan under the repressive Taliban rule, with much of it secretly shot film. Looks particularly at what life is like for girls and women and the effects on them of no access to education, work or proper medical treatment. Saira Shah meets groups of women who run schools for girls in secret, and others who visit households for illicit makeup and beauty treatments. Includes film shot by other Afghans of public executions within the Kabul football stadium. Saira also visits the North of the country in an area not held by the Taliban where opposition forces are still fighting them. She uncovers evidence of disturbing and systematic massacres and abuse of civilians by the Taliban in these areas of fighting.

Documentary investigating the agricultural crisis caused by the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease and takes a critical look at the handling of the situation by government and the authorities. Examines how chaos reigned from the very staff, and looks at aspects such as resources and logistics, how the crisis spread, the effects on farmers and communities and the more long-term effects in economic recession in some areas. Includes interviews with farmers, politicians, scientists, soldiers drafted in to help dispose of carcasses and policy makers.

Investigation into Osama Bin Laden and his Al-Qaida terrorist network, considering its spread, recruitment, workings and capabilities.

Documentary in which Sairah Shah returns to Afghanistan and investigates the motivations and attitudes of the Taliban and al-Qaida, as well as the Northern Alliance. Also looks at the ordinary people caught between the Taliban regime and the Northern Alliance and the effects of a culture caught up in almost perpetual violence and conflict for over twenty years.

The results of a year long investigation into the system for protecting children against paedophiles. Includes contributions from : Prof Kevin Browne (University of Birmingham), Det Sgt Mick Studley (retired), Jim Reynolds (former Head Met Paedophile Unit), Det Insp and Cath Hannon.

Investigates the current state of the London Underground system, looking at aspects such as under-investment, decay, track and signal problems, the planned public-private partnership and serious safety problems. Also, at what commuters and users of the system have to put up with.