Referendum

A referendum (in some countries synonymous with plebiscite — or a vote on a ballot question) is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to vote on a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new law.

Some definitions of plebiscite suggest that it is a type of vote to change the constitution or government of a country. Others define it as the opposite. Australia defines 'referendum' as a vote to change the constitution and 'plebiscite' as a vote that does not affect the constitution. In contrast, Ireland has only ever held one 'plebiscite' which was the vote to adopt its constitution and each other similar vote has been styled a 'referendum'.

Terminology

Referendum is the gerund of the Latin verb refero, and has the meaning "bringing back" (i.e., bringing the question back to the people). The term plebiscite has a generally similar meaning in modern usage, and comes from the Latin plebiscita, which originally meant a decree of the Concilium Plebis (Plebeian Council), the popular assembly of the Roman Republic. Today, a "referendum" can also often be referred to as a "plebiscite", but in some countries the two terms are used differently to refer to votes with differing types of legal consequences.

Sky News

Sky News is a 24-hour international, multi-media news operation based in Britain. It provides non-stop rolling news on television, online, and on a range of mobile devices – as well as delivering a service of national and international radio news to commercial radio stations in the UK. The news service places emphasis on rolling news, including the latest breaking news. Having launched as a 24-hour television news channel in 1989, Sky News has also grown into a digital operation through its website and mobile apps. It is also a content provider for news services in the UK and around the world. John Ryley is the Head of Sky News, being in the role since June 2006.

As with other news channels it has been criticized on occasion for biased reports, many see it having a right-wing stance on reports and highlight it's biased towards the Conservative Party and being anti Labour Party, the producers deny this.

In addition to the domestic television channel, Sky News also hosts localised versions of the channel: Sky News Australia and Sky News Arabia, and previously operated Sky News Ireland. Sky News is also offered in an international version without the British adverts under the name Sky News International available in Europe, Africa, Asia and the United States. It operates Sky News Radio which provides news for many commercial radio stations in the UK, many of them as the news provider for Independent Radio News (IRN). Sky News also provides content for Yahoo! News, and is available on Apple TV and Roku.

Newsnight

Newsnight is a weekday BBC Television current affairs programme which specialises in analysis and often robust cross-examination of senior politicians. Jeremy Paxman was its main presenter for 25 years, until announcing in April 2014 that he was stepping down.

Several of the programme's editors over the years have gone on to senior positions within the BBC and elsewhere. The programme's regular presenters are currently Kirsty Wark,Emily Maitlis, and Evan Davis.

Newsnight has been broadcast on BBC Two since 1980. It goes out on weekday evenings between 10:30pm and 11:20pm. Occasionally it may have an extended edition if there is an especially significant event in the news – as happened on 7 July 2011, when closure of the News of the World led to a programme which continued until 11:35 pm. Recent editions are available to view and download for a limited time through the BBC iPlayer. A weekly 26-minute digest edition of Newsnight is screened on the corporation's international channel, BBC World News.