Debate Show

The ICB debate show started in January 2004. It addresses issues that are of concern to the community at large, but generally concentrate on its marginalized groups who are mainly women and youth. The show is aired in 12 local television stations nation wide with an estimate of 2.2 million people having access to those stations. The aims of this project are multifold but mainly it is to create a forum for the local community. It is in particular for women and youth, where they can freely express their opinions and tell their story individually and collectively, but also to encourage factors and methods that promote the building and maintaining of modern democratic institutions.

Elements that help in the building of a democratic nation and a strong civil society are encouraged during the debates by promoting open exchange and dialogue and the freedom to express and share one’s own opinion. The focus and themes highlighted during those events are manifold.

Democracy, elections and reform are important topics that were highlighted in several episodes. Diversity and intercultural dialogue are also a focus. Human rights issues and/or violations of those rights such as the right to work, children’s right to a normal life, the rights of the disabled, Israeli imprisonment of children and collective punishment are amongst the issues raised. Also, important civic issues such as health and culture are strongly emphasized. Gender and the role of women in society, including media and the workplace are discussed. Finally, encouraging a culture of nonviolence was a theme that was strongly stressed several times.