World in Action was Granada Television’s flagship ITV current affairs series, running from 7 Jan 1963 to 7 Dec 1998, and built a reputation for film-led investigative reporting and a forceful editorial stance. Its journalism produced major public and political repercussions—including investigations associated with miscarriages of justice such as the Birmingham Six—and it also served as a platform for landmark documentary projects, including the first broadcast of “Seven Up!” as part of the strand in 1964.
World in Action (Season 26)
The Right to Rape (Episode 1)
Air date: 1989-09-25
Overview: A public survey into rapes within marriage, currently not illegal under English law.
Playing with Fire (Episode 2)
Air date: 1989-10-02
Overview: A look at the actions of the Animal Liberation Front and whether it could be classed as a terrorist organization?
Hard to Swallow (Episode 3)
Air date: 1989-10-09
Primo and the Princess (Episode 4)
Air date: 1989-10-16
The Terror After Tiananmen (Episode 5)
Air date: 1989-10-23
A Question of Conviction (Episode 6)
Air date: 1989-10-30
One Thousand Nights in Beirut (Episode 7)
Air date: 1989-11-06
Overview: Investigates why Britain is so unsuccessful compared to other nations in negotiating the release of our hostages, most specifically at this time, Brian Keenan, John McCarthy, and Terry Waite.
Last Brick in the Wall (Episode 8)
Air date: 1989-11-13
Unlocking the Door (Episode 9)
Air date: 1989-11-20
Dead End for Danny: Part 1 (Episode 10)
Air date: 1989-11-27
Dead End for Danny: Part 2 (Episode 11)
Air date: 1989-12-04
Toxic Trail (Episode 12)
Air date: 1989-12-11
Return of the Rebel (Episode 13)
Air date: 1990-01-08
M.P.s for Hire (Episode 14)
Air date: 1990-01-15
Send for the Sisters (Episode 15)
Air date: 1990-01-22
Who's Not Paying the Poll Tax? (Episode 16)
Air date: 1990-01-29
Trying to Save Sarah (Episode 17)
Air date: 1990-02-05
A Force to Be Reckoned With (Episode 18)
Air date: 1990-02-12
The Reconstruction of Mr. Dubcek (Episode 19)
Air date: 1990-02-19
A Bug in the Beef (Episode 20)
Air date: 1990-02-26
Freedom and Focsan (Episode 21)
Air date: 1990-03-05
Mortgage Misery (Episode 22)
Air date: 1990-03-12
Can You Live Without Your Car?: Part 1 (Episode 23)
Air date: 1990-03-19
Can You Live Without Your Car?: Part 2 (Episode 24)
Air date: 1990-03-26
Sting and the Indians (Episode 25)
Air date: 1990-04-02
A Safer Habit (Episode 26)
Air date: 1990-04-09
Better Safe Than Sorry (Episode 27)
Air date: 1990-04-23
Man's Best Friend (Episode 28)
Air date: 1990-04-30
Any Change for Tracy? (Episode 29)
Air date: 1990-05-14
Growing Up in Smoke (Episode 30)
Air date: 1990-05-21
The New Nazis (Episode 31)
Air date: 1990-06-04
Pin Down (Episode 32)
Air date: 1990-06-11
Arms and the Men (Episode 33)
Air date: 1990-06-18
Dark at the End of the Tunnel (Episode 34)
Air date: 1990-07-02
Heartbreakers (Episode 35)
Air date: 1990-07-09
No Way Out (Episode 36)
Air date: 1990-07-16
Overview: A young couple are caught between the Chinese and British governments, who both want them for different reasons, They have a new baby, which has brought a moment of happiness, but otherwise life appears bleak, when you have No Way Out.
An Explosion of Guilt (Episode 37)
Air date: 1990-07-23
Overview: While the Birmingham Six languish in prison, an anonymous man tells World in Action he was actually the person responsible for the bomb.
In Bed with the General (Episode 38)
Air date: 1990-07-30
