´óÏó´«Ã½

Seventy years ago the ´óÏó´«Ã½ broadcast a speech that was to alter the course of history. It was made at Broadcasting House, the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s headquarters in central London, by the French wartime leader General Charles De Gaulle and it was an impassioned rallying call to his countrymen to resist the Nazi occupation.

President Sarkozy was in London this week to mark the event and he met the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s director general, Mark Thompson.

´óÏó´«Ã½'s future

In the 21st century both men have issues on their minds that are very different from those of their predecessors in 1940. But it's an apt time to focus on the current role of the World Service in the new globalised era.

And who better to do that with that on this week's Over To You than the DG himself, Mark Thompson.

In an extended interview that I recorded with Mr Thompson this week, he lays down his approach to a broadcasting environment where competition is intense and budgetary cuts are inevitable - but in which the role of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ is essentially the same: to offer impartial and independent news and current affairs around the world - often in places other broadcasters can't reach or fear to tread.Ìý

So how might you be affected by cutbacks which - given the world economic climate - seem likely to affect the World Service?Ìý Are TV language services the way forward?Ìý How much of a priority is radio - and in particular the English network?Ìý Or are we all multi-media consumers now?

Do listen to the interview and follow up on Mark Thompson's comments.Ìý At the end of the interview he told me that he's keen to know what listeners feel, so post your comments here, or email Over To You (overtoyou@bbc.co.uk), and we'll be passing on your views to him.ÌýÌý

Football fatigue

And also on this week's programme: the one activity which I suspect bridges all political divides and famously temporarily halts wars, is the biggest source of your correspondence this week.

Actually for many of you , it's the biggest source of your displeasure.Ìý "Too much World Cup on the World Service", some of you are screaming over the incessant barrage of the vuvuzela!ÌýÌý

Let us know whether you agree - or are you enjoying all the football-related coverage and wanting it to go on and on?

Rajan Datar is the Presenter, Over To You

Over To You is your chance to have your say about the ´óÏó´«Ã½ World Service and its programmes. It airs at 00:40, 03:40 and 12:40 every Sunday (GMT).

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