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Moral Maze

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Live debate examining the moral issues behind one of the week's news stories. #moralmaze

Combative, provocative and engaging live debate examining the moral issues behind one of the week's news stories. #moralmaze

BBC Radio 4 LW

Moral Maze: Celebrity Activism

Celebrity Activism

20/04/2011

BBC Radio 4 - Moral Maze, Celebrity Activism

Is celebrity activism good for democracy? Chaired by Michael Buerk.

Is celebrity activism good for democracy? Combative, provocative and engaging debate examining the moral issues behind one of the week's news stories. Chaired by Michael Buerk.

The days of the tame celebrity being wheeled out by political parties or charities to show their face at the launch of their latest campaign - and keep their mouth firmly shut - have long gone. The rise of social networking and the way celebrity culture has spread to all parts of our society mean that some celebrities, if they chose to wield it, have genuine power. This is the age of the Celebrity Activist. Hugh Grant turning the tables on journalists and arming himself with a hidden microphone to investigate phone hacking for the New Statesman may be one of the unlikelier and entertaining stories in the field, but there's a lot to chose from. Labour politicians won't forget Joanna Lumley's lobbying for the Ghurkhas; Patrick Stewart regularly speaks in favour of assisted dying and celebs are all over the alternative vote referendum. If you think this all seems to be overstating things consider this: Stephen Fry's tweets are followed by 2.45 million people, that's more than the printed copies of the Times, the Telegraph, the Financial Times, the Guardian and the Independent combined. Do people like Stephen Fry have a moral duty to use the power of their status to comment and campaign on issues - to motivate and get people engaged in a way traditional politicians can't? Does such power foster and encourage a sense of social conscience in us all, or have we sacrificed content on the altar of celebrity and allowed a few to use it promote their particular personal interests, career and self worth? Is celebrity activism good for our democratic process?

Combative, provocative and engaging debate chaired by Michael Buerk with Claire Fox, Kenan Malik, Michael Portillo, Matthew Taylor.

Witnesses:
Andrew Darnton, Lead researcher on 'Finding Frames', a year long study looking at new ways to engage the public with global poverty in partnership with leading NGOs
Tim Montgomery, editor ConservativeHome
Kriss Akabusi, former UK Olympic 400m athlete now campaigner on various issues
Maggie Neilson, Partner at Global Philanthropy Group, a for-profit agency that helps celebrities and other wealthy influential people with their philanthropy.

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