Are we becoming obsessed with soft news?

Ask anyone what the most important issues in the world are today and one,two or all of the items in the list below are likely to come up. This is no particular order:
Iran, the war in Afghanistan, the economic downturn, Russia, global warming, Pakistan attacks, Middle East peace, China, Iraq

On a global scale, these are the most important stories – yes ?. These are the stories we are most interested in, right? According to one or two indices, wrong.

They are not what we are most interested in, judging by news websites in across the globe.

Is there anything wrong with swearing?

British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has been so foul-mouthed in his series ‘Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares’ that Australian senators are considering changing their country’s broadcasting standards. According to one senator, Ramsay used the ‘F-word’ 80 times in one 40-minute show (“And I’m not referring to fondue,” he added).

On Air: To report – or to help ?

Mark came across this blog  on CNN.  A  senior, experienced and respected correspondent, John Vause, writes frankly about being in China in a car with an empty seat as hundreds of people ask him to take them out of the quake zone. If you read it, you’ll see he still isn’t sleeping after the answer he gave.

When should reporters stop and help, and when should they simply report ?

What is the worst idea in history?

Reality TV has come second only to the atom bomb in a poll to discover the worst ideas in history. Capital punishment, credit cards and plastic bags completed the bottom five in the survey. What is your top five of all time clangers?

What’s the worst film you’ve ever seen?

You might have seen some howlers at the movies but check this out for a bad review. The BBC’s Mark Kermode reviewing the new British “comedy” Three And Out. Well worth a listen. But what is the worst film you have ever seen and could you write a better more entertaining review for us? If you do, it might get a play on the World Today this Saturday.

It’s a Sony day…

Some good news to share with you.  WHYS was last night nominated for a Sony Academy radio award in the category  of “Listener Participation.” That’s you that is.

On air: Should your boss know your family plans?

Natasha Kaplinsky, Britain’s highest paid newsreader, has caused a stir by announcing that she’s pregnant 6 weeks into securing a one million pound a year contract. Is she, and other women letting down the sisterhood and making it harder for women to succeed in the workplace? Or is there a danger that if women tell their boss, they could be overlooked for promotion?

Olympic regrets?

Will the Chinese government regret having the Olympics in their country?
But will it be good for China?

Talking points for 27 March

Good morning, Tibet is still leading the news on the BBC web site, with protesting monks disrupting a tour by the first foreign journalists to visit Lhasa since demonstrations erupted two weeks ago.

Is the western media biased against China?

Hi there, Madeleine presenting today, and we’re asking if the western media is biased against China?