First Wednesday Category

Join us as we discuss the story of the month in a lively debate hosted by Paddy O'Connell of BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House. Giving you the opportunity to debate with and ask questions of experts, commentators and journalists.

The subject of discussion will be announced on Monday, 28 May.

The relationship between the press and politicians is what is now under scrutiny at the Leveson Inquiry and the long awaited testimony from Rupert and James Murdoch has unearthed a relationship that paints an uncomfortable picture for the government.

Following these latest revelations, hosted by BBC Radio 4's Paddy O'Connell, we will be examining what we have heard and what the ramifications will be for politicians and the press.

Follow the discussion on #fckony2012 and watch it live here.

The recent KONY 2012 campaign video has been met with strong criticism, but nobody can question its effectiveness in reaching a mass audience.

Despite its inaccuracies this campaign has created wider awareness about Joseph Kony and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) than any news report or campaign that has come before it, so what can be learned? Join us for April's First Wednesday as we debate whether the KONY 2012 campaign is a force for good or a worrying development in campaigning.

You can watch this event live on our Ustream channel by clicking here.

Political tension are rising in Pakistan following the the Supreme Courts decision to charge Prime Minister Yousef Raza Gilani with contempt for failing to re-open corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

We will be bringing together a panel of experts to discuss the deepening political crisis in Pakistan and ask what lies ahead.

Since the Leveson Inquiry hearings began on 14 November some of the worst of British journalism has been laid bare by the victims of phone hacking, politicians, journalists and editors who have spoken.

As revelations from the phone hacking investigation continue, join us for the first event of 2012 to discuss what has been revealed about the workings of the tabloid press and what the fall out will be for the journalism industry.

A lively public meeting hosted by Paddy O'Connell of BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House.

What began in the financial district of New York City in mid September under the name Occupy Wall Street has become a movement that is spreading across the globe. But what do they want and how do they intend to achieve their goals? Are their aims realistic? Can they have any impact?

Join us at the Frontline Club to debate the aims and objectives of the Occupy movement and to discuss whether it can bring about any change.

How do the Afghan people view the last ten years since the US-led invasion and how have their lives have been changed?

Is it just another chapter in nearly half a century of conflict and instability? Is civil war avoidable? Is there any hope for the future and what might that future look like?

Another opportunity to join in a lively public meeting, hosted by Paddy O'Connell of BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House, bringing together experts and commentators and mixing their views with contributions from our audience.

Since mid - March when the Arab Spring reached Syria there have been continuous crack downs on protestors by Syrian forces. There are claims more than 1,700 civilians have been killed. The authorities in Syria claim 500 soldiers and police have been killed by armed gangs, which they also blame for most of the civilian deaths.

Join us with Paddy O'Connell of BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House to discuss the situation in Syria and what the future holds for the Syrian people.

Following the targeted killing of Osama Bin Laden we will be devoting July's First Wednesday to the expansion of man hunt missions used in Afghanistan to take out thousands of Al Qaeda and Taliban fighters.

With a panel of experts we will be examining the effects of the kill/capture missions on the ground? How are they are conducted and how is the intelligence obtained? What effect are they having and could they play a definitive role in ending the war?