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More than a decade after the Rwandan genocide, reconciliation comes in forms not only political and diplomatic, but also artistic. Michael Kavanagh reports on a radio soap opera in Kigali – a Shakespearean love story complete with murder, thievery, a Romeo, and his Juliet.
The Freedom of Information Act was supposed to give Americans timely access to government records. But 40 years after it went into effect, there are huge FOIA backlogs in most federal agencies. The National Security Archive’s Meredith Fuchs says a culture of secrecy is largely to blame.
Touting a commitment to the environment has become a lucrative strategy for the unlikeliest of industries. And greenwashing ads are where corporate America sells its enviro-conscience. Corporate watchdog John Stauber explains the lack of regulation that lets any company wrap itself in green.
In the early ‘90s, the Advancement of Sound Science Coalition, a faux grassroots organization, started casting doubt on global warming. Big Oil was behind the effort. And as Guardian columnist George Monbiot explains, Big Tobacco was too.
The Weather Channel, long a stalwart of straight-ahead weather reporting, has decided to start comprehensively following the story of climate change. The channel’s resident climatologist Heidi Cullen argues that all TV meteorologists should integrate climate change science into every weather report.
Before TV programs can air images of people who have just been arrested or experienced some other embarrassing spectacle, they have to get a release from that person. Why would anyone agree to sign? Bob puts the question to the professional signature hounds.
As a long-time Rolling Stone writer and MTV VJ, Jancee Dunn penned a sort of field manual for teasing out that crucial quote from A-list celebrities. Dunn talks about her memoir, But Enough About Me: How a Small Town Girl Went from Shag Carpet to the Red Carpet.
Highlights from Past Shows
When Tony Blair became Britain’s prime minister a decade ago, his nickname was “Bambi,” a reference to his doe-eyed optimism. Now tarnished by the “low skullduggery” of politics, Blair left office on Wednesday deeply unpopular among his people. Longtime Blair spokesman Alastair Campbell points a finger at the press.
This week, OTM turns its focus to Russia. How are the Russian media operating during an era of dramatic economic change, a clampdown on freedom of speech, and a struggle to reposition the country on the world stage? Host Brooke Gladstone, producer Mike Vuolo and technical director Dylan Keefe traveled to Moscow to speak with journalists, dissidents, and lawmakers about the current climate for press freedom.
Garry Kasparov is known around the world as a chess champion. He’s also a vocal opponent of Vladimir Putin and what he calls Putin’s “police state.”
Yevgeny Kiselyov was a big-time television anchor under Yeltsin. He’s a smaller-time radio host under Putin.
Vladimir Ryzhkov is an independent member of Russia’s lower legislative body. He says the Kremlin is passing legislation to drive its opponents out of power.
On the Media is funded by The Bydale Foundation, The Ford Foundation, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Overbrook Foundation.
