John's five-part documentary series for BBC 4 on 'Who Runs Britain' recently finished on BBC 4.

The first programme featuring Martin Nairey, head of Britain's prisons, was broadcast on Tuesday June 1st. The second programme featuring Sir Liam Donaldson, the government's chief medical officer, was broadcast on Tuesday June 8th. Programme three featured Ken MacDonald, Director of Public Prosecutions, and aired on Tuesday June 15th. The fourth programme in the series contains an interview with Mark Walport, director of the Wellcome Trust. The final programme in the series was broadcast on June 29th.


John Kampfner's article on Jessica Lynch and his film 'War Spin' (see below) was number 30 in the most visited BBC News websites of 2003.


John Kampfner's two latest films were broadcast on
BBC 2 during December 2003.

Clare Short: Profile
The Conscientious Objector
Broadcast BBC 2 December 2003

Once New Labour's conscience, vilified over her decision not to resign before the war in Iraq, Clare Short now sees it as her mission to bring about the downfall of Tony Blair. Unlike most modern politicians Clare Short isn't dull or forgettable. She's made a successful career by not toeing the line. In this profile, the former cabinet minister tells her life story - from the son she gave up for adoption to her campaign to ban page three topless models. What drives this passionate and outspoken maverick MP?

Robin Cook: Profile
The Lost Leader
Broadcast BBC 2 December 2003

John Kampfner talks to Robin Cook, one of the most original politicians of our time. Although he rose to the heights of Foreign Secretary, Cook was never one of the Blairites. His resignation on the eve of the Iraq war rocked the Government. So is his career now over, or is he entering a new phase as the leader of the left?


The controversy over John's earlier BBC 2 film War Spin continues to rage in the US.

Correspondent: War Spin
Broadcast BBC 2 May 2003

Private Jessica Lynch became an icon of the war, and the story of her capture by the Iraqis and her rescue by US special forces became one of the great patriotic moments of the conflict. But her story is one of the most stunning pieces of news management ever conceived.

See the BBCi article Saving Private Lynch story 'flawed'


Previous documentaries include the acclaimed The Ugly War which won John Film of the Year and Journalist of the Year awards in 2002 at the Foreign Press Association in London.

Correspondent: The Ugly War: Children of Vengeance
Broadcast BBC 2 February 2002

Correspondent focuses on the nexus of "terrorist" street fighters in three West Bank towns. Hidden in the concrete warren of the Jenin refugee camp is a bomb-making factory where the suicide belts and the explosives are made. John Kampfner reports.

Correspondent: Israel Undercover
Broadcast BBC 2 February 2002

Given rare access to the Israeli military machine, Correspondent follows two Israeli commando units taking part in snatch and ambush missions deep in the heart of Palestinian territory and reveals the criteria by which the Israeli military decide when to try to take someone alive - and when and how to kill them. John Kampfner reports.