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When President Bush used his inaugural address to vow an end to ‘tyranny worldwide,’ the international reaction ranged from sympathy to amusement to fear. But after the successful elections in Iraq this week the Bush administration’s agenda is being reconsidered yet again. Martin Walker, our intrepid media watcher and Editor in Chief of United Press International, brings us the coverage of both the Iraqi elections and the State of the Union from the overseas press.
With the State of the Union address this week came the usual standing ovations, orchestrated cut-away shots and a phalanx of talking heads plying their spin. David Brock, president and founder of Media Matters for America, joins Brooke for a wrap up of the post-State of the Union punditry. music – Artist: The Meters, Album: Anthology, Track: People Say, Label: Rhino
Nine-year-old Al Jazeera has built its reputation both on commanding 40 million Arab viewers and on running afoul of nearly every government with interests in the Middle East. But its success has not translated into profitability. The organization has always been subsidized heavily by the Qatari government and this week Qatar hinted that they may be putting the station on the auction block. While much of the U.S. press reported this as the direct result of American pressure on Qatar, it’s unclear who a private Al Jazeera really benefits. Bob speaks with Adel Iskander, author of Al Jazeera: How the Free Arab News Network Scooped the World and Changed the Middle East. Music - Artist: The Meters, Album: Anthology, Track: Fire On The Bayou, Label: Rhino
What makes the mainstream media mainstream? In 2004, the initials MSM became shorthand for critiques of the media as varied as, well, the media itself. Some likened the mainstream media to a dying political party. Others compared the MSM to the struggling legacy airline carriers. But whatever the metaphor, NYU journalism professor Jay Rosen, author of the weblog PRESSthink.org, tells Brooke that using the phrase is really just the easiest way to convey whatever you don’t like about the state of the news.
As we reported last month, one of the first moves taken by new CNN president Jonathan Klein was to cancel the network’s signature shout-fest, Crossfire. The response from the critics? Enthusiastic to say the least. But at least one pundit doesn’t agree that this model of political debate is, as Jon Stewart recently put it, “hurting America.” Michael Kinsley, one-time host of Crossfire and current opinion and editorial editor at the L.A. Times, wrote a fond eulogy for the show. He joins us to defend Crossfire’s sullied reputation. Music - Artist: The Meters, Album: Anthology, Track: Ease Back, Label: Rhino Music: Artist: The Meters, Album: Anthology, Track: Little Old Money Maker, Label: Rhino
Ten years ago, there were dire predictions of the death of the comic strip. Dwindling newspaper readership and the looming shadow of the internet were the main reasons cited. And then there was the retirement of some of the medium’s biggest stars - as Bill Waterson of “Calvin and Hobbes” left the building, he grumbled that there was no point continuing because the glory days of the comic strip were long gone. But as OTM’s Benjamen Walker reports, what a difference a decade makes.
The comic book began on the Lower East Side of Depression-Era New York, the product of Jewish immigrants, Harry Donnenfeld and Jack Leibowitz, who had tried just about everything else - including soft porn. But Jack and Harry would have gone nowhere without the help of two other kids, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Short, near-sighted, nominally middleclass geeks, they pooled their fantasies and came up with “Superman.” Gerard Jones, the author of “Men of Tomorrow: Geeks, Gangsters and the Birth of the Comic Book” walks Brooke through the birth of the comics.
A few years ago a revelation shocked the super-hero community, The Thing - that gargantuan orange creature made of rock that is one of Marvel Comic’s Fantastic Four - is Jewish. While The Thing has his hands full dealing with the powers and problems that come with being a mutated rock, it hasn't stopped Mom from worrying about her little boy, even from beyond the grave.
Highlights from Past ShowsLast week brought the announcement that Michael Powell, lightning-rod chairman of the Federal Communications Commission for the past 4 years, would be leaving the FCC. Bob takes a look back at his stormy tenure.
Thursday's coronation of President Bush as a second term president gave American viewers a taste of life in a monarchy. Bob reviews the inauguration coverage on the cable and broadcast networks.
On the Media is funded by The Bydale Foundation, The Ford Foundation, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Overbrook Foundation.
