Final Talking America debate

With just four days to go until voters finally decide on the next president, the BBC World Service is in Minneapolis. We’ll be hosting the third in our series of “Talking America” debates – an illustrious panel will discuss the challenges that face the next president. There’ll be a live audience here asking the questions, but what does the rest of the world think? There’s a big focus on the economy here, but what happened to the other big issues – Iraq? Immigration? Trade?   Post any questions here, and we’ll try to fit them in.

On air: Is the world letting Africa down again?

The Red Cross is calling the situation in Congo a human catastrophe, and a quarter of a million people have been displaced already. We’ll do two things today.

You can’t just stop them moderating

After Mark’s post yesterday detailing why we’ve stopped our experiment with external moderators on this blog, lots of you have expressed an interest in setting up a WHYS blog of your own. Just so you can all be in touch with each other, if you’re interested in getting involved, post your details and what you suggest here.

Talking Points 31st October

Should the world talk to the Taliban? Governments in the region are certainly entertaining the thought, but as attacks continue like this one against the Afghan government – should this even be considered? Tom has been working hard over the last couple of days to set up a programme where you can speak directly to a spokesman from the Taliban.

On air: Does every country need a public service broadcaster?

This BBC row over two of its biggest presenters and a prank phone call shows no signs of abating, and it’s rapidly shifting from a discussion about the merits of what was done on that one show, onto a discussion of the merits of the BBC and public service broadcasting.

All good things….

……. have to come to an end.

Sadly, on the eve of our third birthday, i’ve had to end the external moderator experiment. Thanks to all those who did it, gave up their own time in the interests of the community, and tried to make it work.

The minority let you – and us- down.

Talking Points 30th October

Good morning/afternoon/evening – while the US and Pakistan authorities consider talking to the Taleban, they strike again. The Taliban’s spokesman says dialogue is “worthless…(as long as) foreign troops are in our country”. Fears for personal safety is now the highest concern for many Afghans so is it time to talk to the Taleban?  

On air: Should you be punished for helping someone to die?

A British multiple sclerosis sufferer who sought legal clarification over whether her husband could be prosecuted if he helps her to commit suicide, has lost her case. Debbie Purdy is in a wheelchair and is seeing her health rapidly deteriorating. She wants to end her life at the Swiss clinic Dignitas, where people can go to commit suicide, if her life becomes unbearable.

Debbie Purdy will be joining us for the whole hour today, taking your questions.

Talking Points 29th October

Should someone be charged for helping a relative to commit suicide? A woman in Britain wants to clear up the law about whether her husband could be jailed for helping her to die.

On air: Is it funny to be offensive?

The BBC has received more than 1500 complaints after two of it’s top paid radio presenters, Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross, left prank phone messages on the ansaphone of a guest who was meant to be on the show. They called veteran actor Andrew Sachs and claimed that Brand had slept with his granddaughter. The presenters also joked that the actor might kill himself as a result. Both have since apologised.

But is that enough? Did they step over the mark, or is comedy about challenging what is considered acceptable?