Free Speech and Moral Panic: Is Freedom of Expression Under Threat?

Free Speech and Moral Panic: Is Freedom of Expression Under Threat?

Is free speech under threat, or are we witnessing a moral panic about free expression? Debates about censorship, cancel culture and academic freedom have become increasingly prominent in public life, but how much of the conversation is driven by evidence and how much by perception? In this episode, Professor Stephen Coleman explores the growing debate around free speech and asks why concerns about freedom of expression have become such a powerful political issue. What do we mean when we talk about free speech? Are universities becoming less open to controversial ideas? And how should democratic societies balance freedom of expression with the need to protect people from harm? Joining Stephen is Arif Ahmed, philosopher at the University of Cambridge and Director for Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom at the Office for Students. Together, they examine the politics of free speech, the role of universities in fostering open debate, and why arguments about free expression continue to provoke such strong reactions. Guest: Arif Ahmed Presenter: Professor Stephen Coleman [https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/media/staff/240/professor-stephen-coleman] Producer: Carl Hartley [https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/media/staff/5431/carl-hartley] Visit www.thesoundofpolitics.com [https://thesoundofpolitics.com/] to discover more episodes and join the conversation.

Politics and the World Cup: What Politicians can learn from Football Pundits

Why is it often easier to talk about football than politics? Supporters of rival clubs can argue passionately about tactics, managers and performances while sharing a common understanding of the game. Political debate, by contrast, can often feel inaccessible, overly technical or disconnected from everyday experience. In this episode, Professor Stephen Coleman asks what politicians might learn from the way football is discussed. Why do football pundits, commentators and supporters find ways to analyse complex events without talking down to their audiences? What makes football conversations feel more open, engaging and accessible than many political discussions? Joining Stephen is academic, broadcaster and football finance expert Kieran Maguire, who reflects on the language of football, the culture of sporting debate and the lessons politics might take from the way it's debated. The conversation also explores the relationship between sport and political power. Why are politicians so keen to attach themselves to major sporting events? When does political interest in sport become political intervention? And what can we learnt from Donald Trump's reported involvement with a player suspension during the FIFA Club World Cup? From football fandom and sports punditry to political communication and public engagement, this episode explores how politics might become easier to understand - and easier to talk about. Guest: Professor Kieran Maguire [https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/kieran-maguire] Presenter: Professor Stephen Coleman [https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/media/staff/240/professor-stephen-coleman] Producer: Carl Hartley [https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/media/staff/5431/carl-hartley] Visit www.thesoundofpolitics.com [http://www.thesoundofpolitics.com/] to discover more episodes and join the conversation. You can also hear Kieran Maguire on The Price of Football [https://priceoffootball.com/]Podcast.

In the mood for politics

In this episode Professor Stephen Coleman thinks aloud about what we mean when we speak of political moods and vibes. His guest to discuss this is Dr Robert Topinka from Birkbeck University of London. Presenter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Stephen Coleman⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/media/staff/240/professor-stephen-coleman] Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Carl Hartley⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlhartley/] We'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, suggest topics to cover, or ask questions. Leave a comment below or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thesoundofpolitics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ [www.thesoundofpolitics.com].

Yahoo! PMQ

In this episode Professor Stephen Coleman looks at the role of Prime Minister’s Questions which he discusses with his guest, the Labour MP, Alex Sobel.  Presenter: ⁠⁠⁠Stephen Coleman⁠⁠⁠ [https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/media/staff/240/professor-stephen-coleman] Producer: ⁠⁠⁠Carl Hartley⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlhartley/] We'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, suggest topics to cover, or ask questions. Leave a comment below or visit ⁠⁠⁠www.thesoundofpolitics.com⁠⁠⁠ [www.thesoundofpolitics.com]. And if you like this podcast then please follow to be the first to hear when a new episode is released.

The language of political administration

In this episode Stephen Coleman asks whether politicians and the administrators who run local and national government speak the same language. His guest to discuss this is Ed Whiting, the Chief Executive of Leeds City Council. WARNING: One use of bad language. Presenter: ⁠⁠Stephen Coleman⁠⁠ [https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/media/staff/240/professor-stephen-coleman] Producer: ⁠⁠Carl Hartley [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlhartley/] We'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, suggest topics to cover, or ask questions. Leave a comment below or visit ⁠⁠www.thesoundofpolitics.com⁠⁠ [www.thesoundofpolitics.com]. And if you like this podcast then please follow to be the first to hear when a new episode is released.