You Tube to start charging?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2270489/YouTube-takes-TV-subscription-channel-plan-charging-3-month.html

An article discussing the idea that You Tube might start charging viewers to access some channels..  Why are they doing this do you think?  Do you think audiences will subscribe or not?

Representation of women in Asda Christmas Ad - UPDATE

After several complaints were investigated, the advertising standards authority have said that Asda were NOT being sexist to suggest that women do most of the work at Christmas around the home!  Apparently they are just reflecting reality

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2270411/Asda-Christmas-advert-showed-exhausted-mother-looking-family-sexist-rules-watchdog.html

What are you allowed to post on Twitter?

New laws in France have massive implications for the rest of the world.  Twitter will be forced to reveal the real names of users who use racist and anti-semitic language.  These names will be handed over to the police when needed for cases.  What does this mean for social networking?  Will we finally be able to prosecute people who use offensive language online?  Where will we draw the line between what is offensive and what isn't?  Is it the same "crime" if you come up with the comment as if you retween what someone else has said?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2267649/Twitter-ordered-hand-names-racist-anti-Semitic-users.html

Censorship and TV

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2266738/Censorship-row-BBC-cuts-racist-lines-classic-Fawlty-Towers-episode.html

Lots of people might agree with the view that racist or offensive language should be censored from TV in some cases.  However, what if the programme was made in the 1970's when that language was more culturally acceptable?  This week the BBC have edited out the N word from an episode of Fawlty Towers in case it offends people.  Lots of people have complained that his is "airbrushing history".  The character that says this word in the show is well known in the series for being old fashioned and not really "with it".  So doesn't it make sense that he might use this sort of language?  Or it is offensive no matter who says it and no matter what context it is said in?  What do you think?

Are Channel 5 ethically right to feature a celebrity in Big Brother who has mental health issues and who failed psychological tests for an earlier series?

Channel 5 are being criticised this week for continuing to feature Paula Hamilton, an ex model, in this year's Celebrity Big Brother.  She has previously suffered from mental health issues, had admitted she has a serious alcohol problem which she has decided not to worry about and continues drinking, and just last month, crashed her car whilst massively over the limit, losing several of her teeth in the crash.  In episodes of Big Brother so far she has been seen talking to herself, ranting about how the show is fixed, and how she is being victimised by the producers.  Many have speculated that she may be on the verge of a full breakdown.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2259098/Celebrity-Big-Brother-2013-Paula-Hamilton-CBB-house.html