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Since 1991 the Pentagon has officially banned media from photographing flag-draped coffins arriving at Dover Air Force Base. That changed Thursday afternoon when Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced a shift in policy. Salon’s national correspondent Mark Benjamin discusses the value of publicizing the true cost of war.
This week, an appeals court issued some major decisions in the AIPAC lobbyists case which could determine the future legality of leaking classified information to reporters or anyone else. The Federation of American Scientists' Steven Aftergood explains why anyone who's ever pursued, heard or disseminated classified information should be watching the case closely.
Twenty years ago this week 60 Minutes introduced much of the country to Alar, a chemical used to make apples ripen on time. They argued that Alar was also an unregulated carcinogen, after which a panic ensued. Food journalist Michael Pollan argues that the fallout from the Alar scare is still all around us and the real story of what happened is in need of retelling.
Nearly a year and a half ago, a group of news organizations formed the Chauncey Bailey Project to continue the work of the Bay Area journalist killed in 2007. The Project's executive editor Robert Rosenthal talks about some of the developments in the last year-and-a-half, including revelations about the Oakland police's mishandling of Bailey's murder case.
Brooke and Bob read some letters and comments and offer a correction.
With an economy in turmoil and virtually every form of media facing disruptive new technology, many are looking for an alternative business model. Blogger and Internet evangelist Jeff Jarvis has a simple answer: Do what Google does. In his new book he explains why Google's philosophy has made the company so successful.
Last week Boxee, a company whose new software makes it easier than ever to watch internet video, was ordered by Hulu to stop using their content. Journalist Paul Smalera says this won't be the last shot fired in the battle for TV-internet convergence.
Conan O'Brien is poised to take his place as the new host of The Tonight Show. But as Bob explains, 11:30 PM on NBC isn't what it used to be.
Highlights from Past Shows
This week, TV stations began the switch from analogue broadcasts to digital. Legislators and viewers have had three years to prepare for the change, yet it was fraught with complications. Kim Hart, a Washington Post reporter, explains why.
During his campaign, President Obama criticized the Bush Administration's profligate use of the State Secrets Privilege. But this week, lawyers for the Obama administration invoked that rule in an ongoing trial. Slate's Dahlia Lithwick has some possible explanations for the shift.
On the Media is funded by The Bydale Foundation, The Ford Foundation, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Overbrook Foundation.
