Clear rules protect strong disagreement
The exact format may change, but these baseline rules apply to formal Talk Away debates.
State the proposition
The central question, participant positions and format are agreed before broadcast wherever possible.
Equal procedural respect
Participants receive a fair opportunity to present, respond and correct a material misunderstanding. Equal time is a guide, not a substitute for active moderation.
Challenge claims, not dignity
Direct criticism of an argument is allowed. Personal abuse, threats, slurs and attempts to intimidate are not.
Moderator authority
The moderator may enforce time, request a source, redirect repetition, pause a participant or end the programme where safety or basic fairness requires it.