WORLDbytes’ latest programmes challenge austerity

Oct. 26, 2009 - PRLog -- WORLDbytes, the pioneering digital channel run by the East London based charity WORLDwrite has today launched a line up of news programmes which stand up for prosperity not austerity. Reports also cover: the European Union and Lisbon treaty; further evidence of why the points based immigration system should be scrapped; the anti-war movement under fire; camped up climate campers; the new missionaries in Africa and difficult issues from “designer baby” panics to assisted suicide.

Here’s a summary of what’s on:

Austerity: Don’t re-invent the Blitz
Austerity now trips off the lips of every politician who tell us to cut back and tighten our belts. The Imperial War Museum even provides ten top tips from the Blitz on cutting back. But Jean, Doris and Andy, who lived through the Blitz in East London, give us their account of rationing and hope we’ll never have to go through that again.

Cut backs: The view from the streets
On the streets of London, the public are not impressed by politician’s talk of austerity. What are people who already have very little supposed to cut back on? Should we all take responsibility for economic failure and share the pain? The public say no and so do we.

Let everyone in
Curry may be the national dish but the government is stopping the chefs who make the best from coming to the UK. On the streets of East London, the public and restaurant managers are disgusted at the draconian points based system which now turns thousands away and makes many ineligible to stay. WORLDwrite demands we let everyone in.

The EU & the Irish referendum
Are you for or against the EU?  On the streets, the public are split down the middle, most want more information and certainly a chance to vote. In the studio, Oxford University lecturer Chris Bickerton, discusses the nature of the EU and the Lisbon Treaty. Having apparently ‘got it wrong’ and voted no to the treaty the first time, the Irish were asked to vote again. Chris explains this is how the EU operates. To be seriously pro-European, he suggests we have to abolish the EU.

Tales from the Missionary Hut: Africack
This month’s tale from the Missionary Hut features “Africack” which collects bodily waste from across London and ships it out to Africa for use as an organic, environmentally friendly fertiliser. Pooh for the poor? Our waste, their wealth? Are they serious? Watch it and see.

Battle of Ideas 2009
Now in its fifth year, the Battle of Ideas festival is upon us once again.  With over seventy debates and free speech the motto everything is up for grabs. From education and its discontents, to Africa, ethical shopping, the recession, activism, war and scientific enquiry the debates are not in short supply.  Director Claire Fox tells us more.
Don’t Shout at the Telly: The anti-war movement
In this month’s compelling on-the-sofa discussion, young volunteers consider the anti-war movement.  Do the anti-war demonstrations that gained momentum in the run up to the Iraq invasion embody a new era of mass political action or merely express a confused and disengaged morass, riddled with cynicism?  Leading the discussion, Brendan O’Neill, editor of the online magazine Spiked argues that the anti-war movement is little more than defeatism posturing as political argument.

Assisted Dying Yes or No: Debating Matters UK final
Assisted Dying has hit the news in the past few months. On the streets of London we discover what the public think about assisted suicide and sixth form students at the 2009 Debating Matters UK final do battle over this difficult issue.

Climate campers
Also in the news and down the road from the WORLDbytes’ studios, the pressure group Climate Campers meet in the park to discuss radical solutions which include holding your breath to offset your carbon footprint.  

Chill out about designer babies
Back on our chill out desk, scientist Joe Kaplinsky takes a look at IVF and overblown fears that a new generation of ‘designer babies’ may be on the cards. Kaplinsky suggests we should chill out about ‘designer babies’ and leave decisions about using reproductive technology to the parents.

A filmed round-up of what’s on presented by Ruje Yasmin, is available at:
www.worldbytes.org/programmes/011/011_001.html

All the programmes are available to watch at www.worldbytes.org

WORLDbytes is an alternative on-line channel of reports and programmes created by young volunteers. They aim to get behind the headlines and promote a people-first perspective on a
wide-range of issues. The programme’s credo is “don’t shout at the telly, change the message on it”.

WORLDwrite provides free film training for young people interested in volunteering with its news
channel WORLDbytes. Details of the latest training sessions and an online application form are
available at www.worldbytes.org/volopps.html

# # #

Education charity, NGO and voluntary organisation. Specialises in using film to promote global equality, a people first perspective and growth.
WORLDwrite's slogan is Ferraris for all; this means demanding the best for everyone.