Debate is Free // news

debate is free : election 2010 - live event

We are hosting a special edition of Debate is Free on Thursday 11th March titled Debate Is Free : Election 2010. With the aim of catering for young, first time and undecided voters who live in Scotland.

Whilst Question Time is holding a similar event, Debate is Free will be focusing on Westminster issues that are important to voters in Scotland rather than the whole of the UK. Scotland has a unique political landscape in contrast to the rest of the UK thanks to devolution and Debate is Free is eager to give voters the chance to raise their issues. Recording takes place at The University of Glasgow on the 11th of March at 1930 and will be broadcast on the 12th.

Want to apply to be part of the audience for Debate is Free: General Election 2010? Go to http://tiny.cc/DIFGE and fill in all your details.

The panel for the debate on the 11th of March is confirmed as:

• Patrick Harvie- Glasgow MSP and Co-Convener of the Scottish Greens
• Ann McKechin- Glasgow MP and Minister for the Scotland Office
• Alistair Carmichael- MP for Shetland and Orkney and Lib Dem Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland
• Tommy Sheridan- Co-convener of Solidarity
• John Mason- Glasgow MP and SNP Spokesman of Work and Pensions
• Ruth Davidson- Conservative PPC for Glasgow North East

If you can't be part of the audience but still want to submit a question or comment on the show then email debate@subcity.org or hit us up on Twitter @debateisfree or become a fan on Facebook.

Posted at 11:33, 10th March 2010

exclusive billy bragg interview

Debate is Free // 14.02.10 // Billy Bragg and Nobonus4RBS

This weeks show has an exclusive interview with Billy Bragg singer songwriter, prominent politcal activist and the founder of the group NoBonus4RBS. Billy has declared that if RBS pays out bonuses to its staff then he won't send back his tax return that was due on the 31st January 2010. We spoke to Billy the night before he spoke to a rally for the Nobonus4RBS campaign outside RBS's HQ in St Andrew's Square, Edinburgh. In the show we also talk about the proposed Robin Hood Tax. For more info look at the links below

Billy Bragg in the Guardian

NoBonus4RBS

Posted at 11:29, 14th February 2010

iain gray, scottish labour leader

Debate is Free // 31.01.10 // Iain Gray Scottish Labour Leader

The show must go on. As well as all this special edition malarky DIF has its usual weekly programming to get on with. Tuh, no rest for the wicked eh? On our show on the 31st of January we will be continuing our series on the Scottish party leaders with an interview with Iain Gray, the leader of Scottish Labour. Iain Gray took over the Scottish Labour Party after the short lived leadership of Wendy Alexander and has held the office of Deputy First Minister and Minister for Enterprise.

As always send your questions and comments in either on here or to debate@subcity.org.

Posted at 14:15, 20th January 2010

pushing the boundary

Its one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken by a programme on a student radio station, there are over 400 secondary schools, 21 universities , 46 colleges in Scotland and we are getting in contact with them all. Hundreds of thousands of young people across Scotland are going to be offered the chance to take part in a project thats the first of its kind in Scotland.

Debate is Free which airs only on Subcity radio at the University of Glasgow is working on a special edition of the show separate from its usual format. 2010 is a General Election year and thousands of young people will looking at the political parties on offer and wondering who to vote for. Some may never have voted either due to the fact they were too young or they have never felt the need to vote or politics leave just them cold.

Debate is Free aims to bring the debate in a way that young people will find accessible and can interact with in a way they want to. The special edition of Debate is Free on March 11th, potentially just weeks before an election is called will bring a panel of six before a studio audience for 90 minutes to answer their questions and questions submitted by listeners. The debate will range from the topical, to party policy to anything the audience demand be answered. Nothing is barred anything can be put forward for the panel to answer. From the recession, to the war on terror, to youth issues and human rights, we will consider anything.

Anyone will be able to listen on our website www.subcity.org and comment on what they hear on the Debate is Free Facebook fan page or by using Twitter and the tag #debateisfree. We want this to be a test of social networking so please send invites to this event to all your facebook friends and tweet details and comments. You can apply to be part of the audience here or to email any potential questions or comments email debate@subcity.org.

You can follow debateisfree on Twitter and the Facebook fanpage for panellist updates.

Posted at 11:19, 19th January 2010

this weeks show

Debate is Free // 13.12.09 // Phillip Breeden: US press attache

This week's show featured an interview with Phillip Breeden the press attache for the US in Britain. We talked about the possibility or war on Iran, the NHS hate in America, the extradition of Gary McKinnon, Why did Hilary Clinton call up Kenny McAskill on the eve of the Lockerbie Bomber's release in August. Is Israel spitting in Obama's face after his speech in Cairo regarding settlements on the West bank and how big a policy shift has there been since Obama moved into the White House? You can listen here and comment here

Posted at 15:48, 13th December 2009

jim murphy: secretary of state for scotland

Like we said in the previous news post we here at Debate is Free don't get out that much and Christmas is no exception.

But rest assured we have lots of Christmas goodies for you as we continue our broadcasts over the holiday season.

One of our interviews is with Jim Murphy, the Secretary of State for Scotland and her voice in the Cabinet at Westminster. Although devolution has meant many of the Scotland Office's powers were transferred to the Scottish Parliament the Secretary of State still has many responsibilities.

These include: welfare reform, child poverty, asylum and immigration and broadcasting as well as the economy, climate change and representing Scotland on a range of Westminster Committees.

However the main job of the Secretary of state is in his own words: "oiling the wheels of devolution" and ensuring that Scotland is heard at the highest levels of government.

Want to submit a question then email debate@subcity.org.

Posted at 23:40, 10th December 2009

vince cable shadow chancellor for the lib dems

Debate is Free won't be stopping over Christmas. Oh no we don't have social lives so instead we busy ourselves reading Private Eye and the Spectator rather than getting sloshed at the office party.

That also means however we can bring you an interview with Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrats Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer and the party's deputy leader. With the UK still stuck firmly in recession, graduates futures looking shaky and the world looking increasingly bleaker we take your questions to the man who saw it coming.

We will also be questioning Dr Cable on the uncertainty that arose after the parties annual conference regarding their policy to get rid of student tuition fees and the £1 million mansion tax that divided the Liberal Democrats back in September.

Like this? Then join our fan page on facebook here http://tinyurl.com/debateisfreeVC

To submit questions post them on the fan page or email debate@subcity.org.

Posted at 16:40, 9th December 2009

director of liberty, shami chakrabarti

Debate is Free // 06.12.09 // Shami Chakrabarti:director of Liberty

In this week's show on Sunday Debate is Free interviews Shami Chakrabarti, director of the civil liberties group Liberty.

Liberty's motto is: Protecting civil liberties, promoting human rights. They campaign against torture, for equality, young peoples rights, privacy, free speech and for the protection of the Human Rights Act.

Back in December 2005, the BBC Radio 4's Today programme ran a poll of listeners to establish "who runs Britain". The programme placed Shami Chakrabarti on the shortlist of ten people who may run Britain.

Ms Chakrabarti was also named one of the most powerful people in the UK and just missed out on Channel 4's "Most Inspiring Political Figure" award in 2006.

Shami Chakrabarti also frequently wipes the floor with anyone foolhardy enough to disagree with her on the BBC's flagship poltical programme: Question Time.

To see her in action click on the following links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIkYLEsgfnc

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/question_time/8143959.stm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjsua7VZZkM

To learn more about Liberty click here: http://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/

Posted at 22:39, 1st December 2009

this weeks show: copenhagen and digital rights

Debate is Free // 29.11.09 // Copenhagen and Digital rights

With the Copenhagen Climate conference just over a week away we talk to Darren Johnson, a senior figure within the Green party, who stood twice for Mayor of London and is now the Chair of the London Assembly. We ask; is Copenhagen just another talking shop? Do politicians find it too easy to agree to targets, and what about the controversy regarding climate change theorists trying to suppress other scientists research and doctoring the figures.

We then speak to Jim Killock, Executive Director of Open Rights Group, an organisation that campaigns for civil rights in the digital age. We ask him what the Digital Economy Bill means for you and the future of the internet in the UK.

You can contact Debate is Free on debate@subcity.org

Posted at 19:21, 27th November 2009

visits the us embassy

With the US still currently the worlds only superpower and one of the most influential countries on earth we at Debate is Free felt its time to give America her due and have a US politics special. So we decided to interview one of the US's most seasoned and experienced diplomats; Phillip Breeden. You can read some of his bio below

Philip Breeden joined the Foreign Service of the United States Information Agency in 1986. He served in Public Diplomacy positions in Ankara, Antananarivo, Istanbul, Washington, D.C., London, and Tunis before becoming the Consul General in Marseille in 2005. In September 2008, Mr. Breeden became the Press attaché at the U.S. Embassy in London. Mr. Breeden has been the recipient of numerous awards including a Superior Honor Award for his public diplomacy efforts in Tunisia, and the “Palmes Academique” for his work with high schools in France. He speaks French, Arabic and Turkish. He holds a B.A. in International Relations from Stanford University and a M.A.L.D. from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy

We hope to have a few more people on the US special so keep an eye out on the Subcity news, the blog or the facebook page.

Posted at 16:50, 25th November 2009

todays show the digital divide

Debate is Free // 22.11.09 // the digital divide

After last weeks big success we decided to keep the theme on vdieogames for just a little bit longer before heading back to our usual brand of current news and politics.

We interview Graeme Downie of NESTA Scotland to ask how the videogame industry is coping right now in the recession, James Green a gamer who felt compelled to join the group Gamer's Voice set up by maverick MP Tom Watson. Then we were joined by Kirsty and Chris of News Empire fame to debate the current issues affecting videogames and the Digital Economy Bill that was laid out this week in the Queens Speech.

Tune in and you can follow what the show is up to on the blog @ debateisfree.blogspot.com and of course keeping an eye on the news here on the Subcity website.

Posted at 12:43, 22nd November 2009

keith vaz: games should have health warnings

Debate is Free // 15.11.09 // the great videogames debate

Debate is Free is on the cutting edge as you all know, and this week was no different. In light of the controversy at the release of the new game Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 last week, we brought you two exclusive interviews. We spoke to MP Keith Vaz a long time opponent of violent videogames and CEO Dr Richard Wilson of the UK game industry body TIGA. We asked Keith shouldn't the parents be responsible? And we put it to Dr Wilson do videogames have to blame themselves for their image problem?

Vaz had this to offer: If you look to the packaging of an 18-rated videogame, it's [the size of] a tiny 10p coin. What it should be is the same as cigarettes - it should be splashed across the front: 'This has the potential to damage your health' - and that is not happening."

And Dr Wilson called for the government to act to save the videogame industry in the UK before its too late.

Start up the debate here on the shows blog or email debate@subcity.org

Featured in:

gamesindustry.biz

rumerz.com

negativegamer.com

gamepolitics.com

Posted at 20:44, 17th November 2009

we interview tommy sheridan

Debate is Free // 01.11.09 // Glasgow North East Special with Tommy Sheridan

This week we will be interviewing Tommy Sheridan co-leader of Solidarity as part of Debate is Free's series on the party leaders in Scotland. Sheridan has had a controversial and colourful past especially in the past couple of years. The former MSP has been jailed three times in the past once for his opposition against the Poll tax and twice for his protests against Trident at Faslane Naval Base.

Tommy is one of the most recognisable politicians in Scotland and the UK and makes numerous appearances across the country. Tomm...y Sheridan has been a councillor for the city of Glasgow, MSP and recently stood to be an MEP in the European elections this year.

We will be talking to Tommy Sheridan as he is on the campaign trail in Glasgow North East so get your questions in quickly before 4pm this Thursday either to the group page or via email on debate@subcity.org.

Check us out here http://www.subcity.org/shows/debateisfree/

Also don't forget about the Debate is Free blog here- http://debateisfree.blogspot.com, where we will keep up on all the weeks major issues.

Spread the word about Debate is Free and join in.Got a point to make then email debate@subcity.org or while the show is on air or contact us on the following Studio: 0141 341 6222 Studio SMS: "subcity" followed by message to 07766 40 41 42

He has also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Posted at 21:24, 26th October 2009

we interview shami chakrabarti,director of liberty

In the first show of December we will be interviewing Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty.

Liberty's motto is: Protecting civil liberties, promoting human rights. They campaign against torture, for equality, young peoples rights, privacy, free speech and for the protection of the Human Rights Act/

Back in December 2005, the BBC Radio 4's Today programme ran a poll of listeners to establish "who runs Britain". The programme placed Shami Chakrabarti on the shortlist of ten people who may run Britain.

Ms Chakrabarti was also named one of the most powerful people in the UK and just missed out on Channel 4's "Most Inspiring Political Figure" award in 2006.

Shami Chakrabarti also frequently wipes the floor with anyone foolhardy enough to disagree with her on the BBC's flagship poltical programme: Question Time.

To see her in action click on the following links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIkYLEsgfnc http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/question_time/8143959.stm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjsua7VZZkM

To learn more about Liberty click here: http://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/

Posted at 17:54, 12th October 2009

we interview cbi scotland

Debate is Free // 27.09.09 // talking to CBI Scotland

Worried about jobs after you graduate? Unemployed now? Worried about the future? Well listen to this week's Debate is Free on Subcity where we talk to the Assistant Director of CBI Scotland about the economy, jobs, student tuition fees, bankers bonuses and the Glasgow Airport rail link.

We have comments from our listeners and calls regarding the CBI's stance on Student loans and tuition fees.

Posted at 10:24, 27th September 2009

we talk to amnesty international

Debate is Free // 04.10.09 // The Al-Megrahi and Human Rights episode

Debate is Free will be interviewing John Watson of Amnesty International Scotland next week and we are looking for you questions to give to him.

Amnesty International is an organisation that campaigns for the protection of Human rights across the globe. Amnesty is also the largest and one of the most respected human rights organisations in the world.

So if you want to talk about human rights abuses, rendition flights, Guantamano Bay or Bagram and prisoner abuse or anything else you can think of. Get in touch with the show on debate@subcity.org

Posted at 13:20, 24th September 2009

upcoming show guests

Debate is free is Subcity Radio’s only political debate and interview show. We interview the political movers and shakers of the country and put your questions to them so you ask the questions.

Here are our guests for the upcoming few weeks in order of air date.

27th September- David Lonsdale, Assistant director of CBI Scotland and Head of policy

4th October John Watson- Head of Amnesty International Scotland

11th October- Vince Cable, Lib Dem Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer and Ian Fraser Financial Journalist.

25th October- Patrick Harvie, Glasgow MSP for the Scottish Green Party

1st November- Tommy Sheridan, Leader of Solidarity

8th November- Rose Gentle, Anti War campaigner

If you want to submit any questions for our guests then send an email to debate@subcity.org with the name of the guest in the subject title and your question.

Feel free to comment on the new Debate is free blog http://debateisfree.blogspot.com/ about any of our guests or what’s in the news. We will have regular updates on the blog about what we are doing on the show and comment about the weeks events both in the UK and around the world.

Posted at 15:11, 13th September 2009

debate is free talks to the swedish pirate party

Debate is Free // 20.09.09 // Subcity turns pirate

It's a new era here at Subcity, it's no longer just about the music but things like news and politics and current affairs and things.

So to kick off the new show Debate is Free, we decided to do something out there, something daring, something right at the cutting edge. Something that will send the geeks amongst you crazy. So we decided to have a chat to some pirates. The Swedish Pirate Party to be exact.

We are going to be talking to Christian Engström, the Swedish Pirate Party's Member of the European Parliament and we need you to send in some questions for the man so we can be all professional like.

The Pirate Party sets out to achieve three things: first, reform of copyright law to allow the internet to become a tool for free cultural exchange; second, to abolish the current patent system to prevent advances in science, technology and manufacturing being restricted to certain parts of the world; and third, to promote more respect for the right to privacy, something which they believe has been lost in recent years through the increase in surveillance technology.

You can expect more interviews like this from Debate is Free all year round so get involved with us. Submit questions for our advertised guests or suggest a guest by emailing debate@subcity.org

Posted at 16:08, 1st September 2009