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Zimbabwe is no longer, as The New York Times put it back in 1999, “sliding into tyranny.” It has long since arrived. Freelance correspondent Joshua Hammer, who traveled to the country earlier this year, says it’s still possible to do journalism, that is if you pose as a tourist.
Food prices are soaring and cupboards are empty the world over. No longer consigned to the features page, food has become the political and economic story of the day. Paul Roberts, author of The End of Food, assesses whether American journalists are ready to cover it.
Former Dallas Morning News religion reporter Christine Wicker set out to write a book about the growing influence and strength of evangelical churches. But she found a community more fractured and less numerous than typically reported by the media. She explains that numbers for evangelicals in the U.S. are grossly inflated.
Religion author Jeff Sharlet argues that if mega-churches and televangelists receive too much attention by the media, the influence of an elite group of evangelicals receives too little. Sharlet says that a group known simply as "The Family" has powerful sway among some of Washington's top lawmakers, and that their media strategy is simple: avoid it.
On the eve of his 20th anniversary, Rush Limbaugh has re-upped his contract - 400 million dollars over the next eight years. With at least 14 million listeners a week, and a political muscle flexed as recently as this spring’s primary season, Rushbo is at the top of his game. New York Times Magazine contributor Zev Chafets explains Rush’s reach.
For over 50 years, outlaw American radio broadcasters exploited a legal loophole and aired powerful pirate radio from the Mexican side of the border. So called ‘border blasters’ - or ‘X stations’ - were true innovators whose influence continues to be felt today. OTM’s Jamie York tells the story.
Highlights from Past Shows
When comedian George Carlin died last Sunday, most remembrances focused on his infamous “Seven Dirty Words” routine, which ran afoul of the FCC and engendered a landmark Supreme Court case. Miami Herald television critic Glenn Garvin says America is divided over indecency and past guests weigh in on the debate over broadcast obscenities.
With the Olympics just weeks away, China is making the final preparations for the PR push of the century, pitching brand China to the world. Meanwhile, young urban Chinese are sorting out new identities and advertisers everywhere are revving their engines, preparing to sell to the fastest growing consumer market in the world.
===== OTM Blogs China: Read it! =====
On the Media is funded by The Bydale Foundation, The Ford Foundation, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Overbrook Foundation.
