Latest Stories
-
Natural disasters and the media
The news is full of Texas floods, but millions of people have been affected by floods in South Asia too. Natural disasters affect many countries — why do we only hear about those in America?
-
Dr Who’s 13th Time Lord is Jodie Whittaker
For over 50 years, the Doctor has been played by a male actor. For the first time ever a woman will take the leading role. Many fans are delighted, others are angry and disappointed. Why?
-
BBC to make more children’s TV
The BBC will receive an extra £34m to make online, interactive content for young people. With Netflix, Amazon, YouTube and now The BBC we are spoilt for choice. Should we spend more time online?
-
The ‘wordless wonder’ of The Red Turtle
UK cinemas are showing a film with no spoken words. The Red Turtle is an animated film about a man on a desert island. Should more films tell their stories without words?
-
‘The death of TV’ as viewers move online
Last week the BBC revealed that their average TV viewers are now in their 60s. Young people are watching Netflix instead. Are we witnessing the death of the old “telly”? And should we care?
-
Planet Earth: ‘the best TV series ever made’
The final episode of David Attenborough’s wildly popular Planet Earth II was shown on Sunday. Is it just a bit of fun, or do programmes like this make a difference to how we see...
-
China recreates the Titanic as theme park
The ocean liner Titanic was the world’s most famous ship. When it sank in 1912, 1,517 people died. Now tourists will be able to pretend they are on board. Is this...
-
Harry Potter gets political in new prequel
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a tale of quirky magical creatures causing chaos in New York City. It is also a warning about Donald Trump. Should children’s stories be political?
-
BFG: Dahl remake ‘too childish’, say critics
The BFG should have been one of the biggest films of the summer — in more ways than one. Families enjoyed Roald Dahl’s classic tale on screen. But some film reviewers were unsure. Why?
-
Menace: world’s naughtiest boy set for remake
Dennis the Menace is back on TV. The boy who ignores the rules is still popular 65 years after he was first drawn. Why do many of us love a rogue more than someone who does the right thing?
-
People using fewer words as Twitter turns ten
Twitter recently celebrated its tenth birthday. Around 200 billion messages are sent on it each year. People are using fewer words than ever to express themselves – should we be worried?
-
Star Wars sets record as fans debate meaning
The Force Awakens is set to become the highest-grossing film ever in North America this week. The series is a global phenomenon – but can we learn anything from its story?
-
Hollywood bidding war for A Christmas Carol
In 2017, Universal Pictures will release a new film adaptation of Charles Dickens’s famous Christmas novel. What can we learn from this 170-year-old story?
-
Church anger as prayer ad banned in cinemas
A Church of England advert featuring the Lord’s Prayer will not be seen in most cinemas after an agency refused to show it. Should religions be able to advertise?
-
Nation split over ‘man on the moon’ TV advert
The argument is raging. The annual John Lewis Christmas TV advert has been released. Is it an honest attempt to make a better world? Or bigger profits? Or might it do both?