WORLDbytes’ latest reports raise tough questions and challenge the status quo

UK (SANEPR.com) June 4, 2009 -- WORLDbytes, the online news channel, has launched its latest round up of hard-hitting news reports and programmes. Instead of the banal media obsession with greedy bankers, expensive politicians and visionless parliamentary reform processes, WORLDbytes tackles real problems affecting us all.

In a revealing interview, Tony McNulty MP describes the government’s new Welfare Reform Bill as a ‘carrot, carrot, stick’ approach. WORLDbytes reporter Emma Grant puzzles over what the carrot is in a bill which requires claimants on Job Seekers Allowance to do voluntary work or lose benefits.

Saying no to austerity is not impossible as WORLDbytes learns from group of workers who decided to take matters into their own hands and not accept degrading redundancy terms. Luke Gittos interviews workers and supporters directly after their occupation of the Visteon plant in Enfield. The report captures the mood at the time: a great uncertainty about what the future might hold, yet a demonstration of hope and defiance that ultimately led Visteon bosses to meet their demands.

The hottest government initiative of the day WORLDbytes reporters discover, involves state funded clowns, rolled out to stimulate happiness among local inner-city communities affected by Sustainability Attainability Deficit, or S.A.D.

On housing, price is not the only issue; there are not nearly enough houses for us all and new build is grinding to a halt. Architect and research engineer Ian Abley from Audacity, suggests that instead of opting for squats and short-term solutions, maybe we should break the tough planning laws en masse and start building our own homes on redundant farm land.
Can the state save the economy? features a vital debate from the Battle for the Economy Summit in London. The debate, led by sociology professor and well known author Frank Furedi provides fresh insights. Clapped out banks he tells us, should have gone to the wall. Respondents, Economic Research Council Research Director Dan Lewis, Professor Erik Reinert and Wall Street Journal’s European columnist Simon Nixon, raise key arguments in this edited version of the summit session.
In don’t shout at the telly, young volunteers take issue with the new immigration points system in discussion with the Director of Kent Law Clinic, Professor John Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick argues we must start with open borders as a principle and recognise that; in the words of Thomas Paine “we can make the world anew”.

Coverage of the prestigious Debating Matters competition in Mumbai and Cambridge, showcases aspirant 16 year olds battling it out with testing input from expert judges. In India, they examine concerns surrounding clinical trials. In the UK students take a stand on life saving organ donation and what’s known as presumed consent, while WORLDbytes tests public opinion on the matter.

On the Chill Out desk, scientist Joe Kaplinsky tackles animal experiments and suggests we should be more confident in standing up for human needs, since we are more important than mice.

These new programmes and reports are available on the WORLDbytes channel at www.worldbytes.org and a round up of what’s on is available at www.worldbytes.org/programmes/007/007_001.html
WORLDbytes is an alternative on-line channel of reports and programmes created by young volunteers. They aim to get behind the headlines and promote a people-first perspective on a wide-range of issues. The programme’s credo is “don’t shout at the telly, change the message on it”.
For more information and interviews contact:
Viv Regan Email: vivregan@btconnect.com Tel: +44 (0)7939 449 604 or +44 (0)20 8985 5435
Ceri Dingle Email: ceridingle@btconnect.com Tel: +44 (0)7866 806 918 or +44 (0)20 8985 5435