

AntiSocial
BBC Radio 4
Peace talks for the culture wars.
In an era of polarisation, propaganda and pile-ons, AntiSocial offers an alternative: understanding, facts, and respect. Each week, Adam Fleming takes on a topic that's generating conflict on social media, blogs, talk shows and phone-ins and helps you work out what the arguments are really about.
In an era of polarisation, propaganda and pile-ons, AntiSocial offers an alternative: understanding, facts, and respect. Each week, Adam Fleming takes on a topic that's generating conflict on social media, blogs, talk shows and phone-ins and helps you work out what the arguments are really about.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 20, 2023 • 54min
Brit Awards and gender
The Brit Awards were gender neutral for the second time this year - which meant there was no best male or best female artist award.Over the last week the reaction to the all-male nomination list for Best Artist has been fierce, with many women outraged at the lack of female representation.Is the music industry ready for gender neutrality? Does inclusivity come at the expense of women?Presenter: Victoria Derbyshire
Producers: Lucy Proctor, Phoebe Keane and Ellie House
Editor: Emma Rippon

Jan 13, 2023 • 54min
Harry and Meghan
The revelations in Prince Harry's book Spare have dominated the news and the nation's conversations, with many people taking sides. For some, Harry and Meghan represent a couple who speak their truth and challenge racism, sexism and attitudes towards mental health. For others, they have betrayed their family and are emblematic of a privileged, navel-gazing world view. Why have the Duke and Duchess of Sussex become such symbols?Presenter: Adam Fleming
Producers: Lucy Proctor, Phoebe Keane and Ellie House
Editor: Emma Rippon

Sep 23, 2022 • 54min
Milk and protestors
Direct action against dairies, animal cruelty, and the climate crisis.Animal Rebellion protestors have blockaded dairies, making the case for a “plant-based future”. They say the dairy industry is a key contributor to the climate crisis and is based on cruelty and exploitation. Online, opponents say they want to choose what they eat and that the direct action is counter-productive. Are the claims made by protesters true? And why is milk such a touchy subject in this country?Presenter: Adam Fleming
Producers: Simon Maybin & Lucy Proctor
Researchers: Ellie House & Octavia Woodward
Production co-ordinator: Jacqui Johnson
Music: Oskar Jones
Editor: Emma Rippon

Sep 2, 2022 • 54min
'Woke' police
Accusations that the police are spending time dancing the Macarena at Pride parades instead of controlling crime stepped up this week following a report by a think tank. Critics say the police are being political by taking the knee at Black Lives Matter marches and prioritising policing Twitter over policing the streets. Others say community engagement is key and that it’s all about resources. Presenter: Adam Fleming
Producers: Simon Maybin & Lucy Proctor
Researchers: Ellie House & Octavia Woodward
Production co-ordinator: Jacqui Johnson
Music: Oskar Jones
Editor: Emma Rippon

Aug 26, 2022 • 54min
Trigger warnings
'Upsetting content' warnings at universities: a harmless courtesy or oversensitivity?Some higher education institutions are accused of 'wokery' and pandering to 'snowflake' students because texts now sometimes come with notes saying some students may find the content distressing. People in favour of such warnings see them as an unintrusive way of respecting students’ mental well-being. But what does 'triggering' actually mean? What do students think about trigger warnings? How did they end up on university campuses? And do they actually work?
Presenter: Adam Fleming
Producers: Simon Maybin & Josephine Casserly
Researcher: Octavia Woodward
Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown
Music: Oskar Jones
Editor: Emma Rippon

Aug 19, 2022 • 54min
Fast fashion and class
The argument about whether shopping "sustainably" is a privilege not everyone can afford.People online are debating whether contestants from ITV’s Love Island should be signing mega-bucks deals with clothes companies that sell people stuff cheaply and often - so-called fast fashion. Others claim it's a bit rich for the well-off to lecture everyone else about what's in their wardrobe? We’ll look at how fast fashion got turbo-charged, see if the stats on climate change and fashion add up, explore how fashion and social class have interacted over the years, and ask if “sustainable fashion” is an oxymoron.
Presenter: Adam Fleming
Producers: Simon Maybin & Josephine Casserly
Researcher: Ellie House
Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown
Music: Oskar Jones
Editor: Emma Rippon

Aug 12, 2022 • 54min
Online justice and rape
Rape allegations about a footballer have led to debate online and protests in real life.A woman who says she was raped by a Premier League footballer put her allegations and evidence for them online. On social media some people have tried to pick holes in her account and demanded anonymity for people accused of rape. Others are outraged that the player hasn’t been suspended by his club. In real life, an aeroplane banner protest said “Kick rapists off the pitch”. What’s the law on identifying rape suspects? How common are false allegations of rape? And do people actually understand the law on rape?
Presenter: Adam Fleming
Producers: Simon Maybin & Lucy Proctor
Researcher: Ellie House
Production co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele & Helena Warwick-Cross
Music: Oskar Jones
Editors: Hugh Levinson & Penny Murphy

Aug 5, 2022 • 54min
Drag queens and libraries
The row over drag queens reading stories to children.A spate of protests outside libraries has focused attention on the idea of drag queen story hours - drag queens reading stories to young children in libraries and other public spaces. For some, it’s the perfect way to build acceptance of LGBTQ+ identities, plus it’s fun and fabulous for the children. For others, it risks exposing young minds to adult entertainment and complex themes of sex and gender.Presenter: Adam Fleming
Producers: Simon Maybin & Lucy Proctor
Researcher: Ellie House
Music: Oskar Jones
Editor: Hugh Levinson

Jul 29, 2022 • 55min
Race and representation
The England women’s football team has been on our screens a lot, but the team has attracted criticism for only fielding white players in the quarter finals. That sparked a discussion around what the right levels of representation should be on screen and in public life. Is it true that you can’t be what you can’t see?Presenter: Adam Fleming
Producers: Simon Maybin & Lucy Proctor
Researchers: Ellie House and Octavia Woodward
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown
Studio Manager: Chris Murphy
Music: Oskar Jones
Editor: Emma Rippon

Jul 22, 2022 • 54min
Gaslighting and relationships
Love Island has sparked debate about gaslighting and narcissism.The reality TV show Love Island has once again ignited discussion about the way men treat women in relationships. Two domestic violence charities called out what they called gaslighting and coercive control. Meanwhile on social media a wider conflict about these new terms has rumbled on.Presenter: Adam Fleming
Producers: Josephine Casserly & Lucy Proctor
Researcher: Ellie House
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown
Studio Manager: Hal Haines
Music: Oskar Jones
Editor: Emma Rippon


