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If there's anything positive to come out of actor Michael Richards' recent racist rant , it's that people are once again discussing the limits of the N-word. Who can use it? How has its meaning changed over time? WNYC's Radio Rookie Veralyn Williams explores the complexities of a contested term.
President Bush is dismissing calls for a troop withdrawal from Iraq, reportedly favoring instead a plan for troop increases. We consider the semantics of the “surge” debate with the American Enterprise Institute’s Frederick Kagan and Foreign Affairs Magazine editor Gideon Rose.
Almost every news outlet focuses some of its coverage on Iraq. But a new website is devoting itself entirely to news from that country. Ex-CNN chief Eason Jordan talks about his new project, iraqslogger.com.
The search for three climbers lost on Mt. Hood consumed a vast amount of airtime this week, even by cable news standards. Bob explains how a tragic storm in Oregon ushered in a perfect storm for TV coverage.
In the 1950s, the mainstream American press had very little experience covering segregation and its impacts. In a new book, The Race Beat, Gene Roberts and Hank Klibanoff tell the story of how the civil rights struggle gradually made its way onto the front pages.
In a 24-hour media world, mistakes are bound to happen. Craig Silverman is doing his best to document them all on his website, "Regret the Error." Silverman offers up the best in this year's media goofs.
Listen to the best of last year's journalistic errors here.
Since they were first broadcast some four decades ago, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” have become as much a part of the season as tinsel and mistletoe. Reporters Alex Goldmark and Rachel McCarthy explore what makes the classic Christmas specials so... special.
Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert has nominated himself to represent “You,” the winners of Time Magazine's person-of-the-year honors. He kids of course, but Brooke suggests there is some truthiness to it, too.
Highlights from Past Shows
No longer content to silently disavow religion, the so-called New Atheists are on the offensive. Borrowing tactics from the faithful, nonbelievers have taken to proselytizing in books and in the media. And yes, they’re even in foxholes.
Through much of George Bush's tenure, a common narrative has suggested that the president surrounds himself with smart advisors who really make the tough decisions. Recently, a new press narrative has emerged. Ron Suskind, Paul Begala and Ari Fleischer discuss Bush’s changing image.
On the Media is funded by The Bydale Foundation, The Ford Foundation, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Overbrook Foundation.
