AntiSocial

A recent history of companies getting involved in social and political issues. Adam Fleming talks to Daniel Korschun, Associate Professor of marketing at Drexel University, USA.

Should companies weigh-in on sensitive social issues?After a Costa Coffee van featured artwork of a trans man with mastectomy scars, there have been calls to boycott the chain on social media. And there’s been controversy over banks rejecting customers because of their political views. Are businesses trying to make the world better or just more money? And is it the place of companies to fight what they see as social injustice?Guests: Lucy McKillop, CEO of OutVertising Ben Habib, former MEP for the Brexit Party and CEO of a property investment fund management firm Aileen McColgan, barrister specialising in discrimination law Xinrong Zhu, assistant professor in marketing, Imperial College London Business School Daniel Korschun, Associate Professor and Marketing Department Head at Drexel University in Philadelphia

Where does the term “patriarchy” come from and how has it been used through history? Adam speaks to Lucy Delap, professor in modern British and gender history at the University of Cambridge.

Delve into the concept of patriarchy triggered by Barbie movie, with debates on gender equality. Exploring male violence, legislation disadvantages, and societal norms. Unveiling the pervasive patriarchy's impacts on women across various spheres. Discusses evolutionary differences and gender role development. Challenges origins of patriarchy and construction of gender roles. Explores gender disparities in leadership roles and victim blaming in society.

Abba fans were asked not to wear Afro wigs over claims they are 'culturally insensitive'. It led to a debate online about cultural appropriation. What counts as cultural appropriation and why? How can people appreciate things from other cultures without being accused of appropriating?

A speech by Andrew Bridgen MP about Covid vaccines was taken down from YouTube after accusations it contained misinformation. It’s led to a debate about where freedom of speech ends and misinformation begins. What counts as misinformation? And who decides?Presenter: Adam Fleming Producers: Lucy Proctor, Phoebe Keane and Ellie House. Editor: Emma Rippon

After sex education was made compulsory in England in 2019, many schools started bringing in external companies to teach the subject. But with no formal regulation, a vast range of lessons are being offered and some providers refuse to let parents know what's being taught. It's led to some misinformation spreading online and a debate about whether some things are too explicit to learn at school. Archive from British Pathe, David Rosler via the British Film Institute and the Netflix series Sex Education.

The cover of a Quran was torn in a school in Wakefield, Yorkshire and four students were suspended. The next day, police were called after the boy involved in the incident received death threats. It lead to debate online about whether our laws should protect religious people from offence, or should uphold free speech. We'll get to the bottom of what went on and explore how you balance respect for religion with free speech?

The word 'fat' has been removed from a new range of Roald Dahl books. It's a sign our conversation about obesity and body image has become increasingly sensitive.Many body positivity activists have reclaimed the word 'fat' while promoting more diversity in the body shapes and sizes we see in our media. But some accuse the movement of denying the health risks associated with being overweight. Is it true we can be healthy at any size? Where did the body positivity movement come from? And should we be worried about the return of size 0 fashion?Presenter: Adam Fleming Producers: Lucy Proctor, Phoebe Keane and Ellie House. Editor: Emma Rippon

Thousands of asylum seekers are currently housed in hotels around the UK as they wait for their claims to be processed. The government has a huge backlog and are spending millions of pounds a day on the accommodation.Local residents have started to mount protests near the hotels, prompting claims from commentators and counter-protestors that they are 'far right'. What does that term mean? Are these protestors really 'far right'. And to what extent is the extreme right on the rise across the country?Presenter: Adam Fleming Producers: Lucy Proctor, Phoebe Keane, Ellie House and Octavia Woodward. Editor: Emma Rippon