What do a university library in East London and a sports hall in Doncaster have in common? 

So far in 2012 they are the two places to have broken new ground by hosting Free Speech for BBC Three.

Ironically at both venues the audience, the odd passer by and even some of crew made comments such as; ‘not like Monaco is it?’ or ‘bit different to F1 mate!’  Of course a uni on the Mile End Road in London’s East End, and a public pool next to an shopping centre in Doncaster are a little different to the places F1 frequents, but I think that’s the beauty of Free Speech.

Some of the places that Formula One visits are all about style, by complete contrast, I think Free Speech is all about substance.  So far we’ve not been afraid to highlight important, often emotive, issues such as benefit cuts or prison re-offending rates.

Equally, I’ve like the fact that the audience and the panel have enjoyed topics where they’ve had a laugh as much as a debate; be it Radio 1's Gemma Cairney cycling around London, our social media jockey Michelle De Swarte doing stand-up comedy about chavs, or the clear disappointment in Doncaster that they came third in a poll to find out which city in the UK is having the most sex!

And now on to show three, coming live from Bristol at an earlier time of 8pm next Wednesday. We’re kicking off a debate on drugs: should they be decriminalised?

There’s already been a lot of chat online about this. We had four young writers give us their opinion in a blog last week, and today we launched a video debate with SB.TV on this very subject, which you can check out here:

So what do you think? Should the Government consider legalising drugs? 

I’m sure the Brisolians will have a lot to say when we’re live in the studio, but Free Speech is a chance for the whole country to get involved in the debate as well.

When you tune in at 8pm next Wednesday, there are a few ways you can be part of the show and its debates as well. If you just want to dip your toe into the water then follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook. 

Maybe you fancy just diving straight in?  In that case, by using hashtags you can influence the ground-breaking Powerbar that lets the panel know whether the audience at home agree or disagree with their viewpoints.

The other option is to climb up to the 10 metre board and dive in head-first by sending us messages online through twitter, facebook or the comments on this blog below that may well be read out by Michelle and influence or add to the debate on the show.

We’ve had the show and our panellists trending on Twitter, and generated thousands of online messages and opinions across the country.  Free Speech day comes only once a month so make sure when it’s here in May, you’re part of it.  One of our main topics will be the legalisation of drugs – so if you’ve got an opinion, then share it with us!

Free Speech is giving a voice to an audience that I don’t think are well enough served in this country.  This is a unique opportunity for you to make a real difference. We’ve had MPs, entrepreneurs, media figures and musicians on our panel, but you at home are the most important ingredients, so Wednesday at 8pm, make a date with us.

Free Speech is on Wednesday at 8pm

• Read previous Free Speech blogs
• Follow BBC Free Speech on Twitter
• Like BBC Free Speech on Facebook
• Follow Jake Humphrey on Twitter

Welcome to my first blog for the new BBC Three show, Free Speech (Wednesday 7th March, 10pm).

I'm so chuffed to be hosting a show that I feel will bring young people closer than ever before to the decision makers and opinion formers of our country. A show that isn't afraid to ask the big questions and tackle the vital issues that are directly affecting your lives today and your futures tomorrow.

As you can tell from our video starring Mark Grist and MC Mixy, we're determined to stir up some big chat and we want all of you to get involved...

So how has the guy from Formula 1 ended up hosting a show like this? Well, right from studying A-level politics to presenting Newsround (back in the day!) I’ve always taken a keen interest in how our society runs, who runs it, and what we 'normal folk' can do to have more of a say in it.

I’m also passionate about making sure this programme is fun, and doesn’t focus solely on the serious issues we’re facing. So as much as we will be discussing problems like youth unemployment and benefit cuts, we’ll also be debating the celebrity headlines and hit viral videos that are being watched online, by you, in your millions.

All too often young people are painted in a negative light, being accused of not caring about the world we live in, or being too uneducated to have an opinion on the issues we are facing. Well, the very fact that you’re reading this shows that perception and reality are very often different.

Here’s how we’re doing things in a new way on Three Speech:

Each month we’ll be hitting BBC Three, live, with an hour long show that will address the hot five issues young people are talking about that month. These hot five will come from you through your suggestions online – if you think an issue is hot, tell us about it and join the conversation.

Each show will be made up of over one hundred young people, all with an opinion on the issues. Details below on how you could be a part of this...

During the show we’ll be using social media like never before. As each panelist speaks, you can tweet whether you agree or disagree with what they’re saying. Then using world-changing star-gazing technology (!) the tweets will be shown through an interactive, moving picture bubble of the panelist's head. Probably best to tune in to the first show to see what I mean with that one...

We’ll also have the lovely and talented Michelle de Swarte making sure the very best tweets, Facebook posts and blog comments are included in the show, so speak up!

And finally, we’ll be keeping the debate going all month long online. We’ll be posting videos, showcasing guest bloggers, asking for interesting panelist suggestions and running all our ideas through you first.

So, get started now by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter and leaving a comment below. And if reading this has already got you thinking about what hot issue you want to discuss, drop us a message and become part of your programme, both online and in the audience.

I’m so excited to be hosting this show and when we hit the air on Wednesday 7th March at 10pm I want us to do so with a real splash. So take this opportunity and show me what you’re made of!

Right, enough from me, over to you. Together lets really make our programme worth watching.

Free Speech is on Wednesday 7th March at 10pm.