Talking points for 21 April

A few things to wet the appetite this morning. One issue we are likely to discuss on today’s programme is whether we understand the psychological toll of war. Nearly a fifth of American troops returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, with many finding inadequate support to help them. Is there enough support for troops returning from conflict, or are mental health problems for soldiers returning from war just a sad consequence that we have to accept? What about civilians caught up in wars? If you’ve been affected by this issue get in touch.

Is it right to glamorize extreme thinness?

The French National Assembly has passed a groundbreaking bill which seeks to criminalise the promotion in the media of extreme thinness. That’s everything from pro-anorexia websites that encourage girls and young women to starve themselves, to magazines and advertisers. If approved by France’s upper house, those found to have encouraged severe weight loss could be fined up to 45,000 euros and face three years in prison. Is this the right approach? Or should there be no limits on what can appear on the web?