News Media

Technological advances are rapidly redefining the news industry-and raising critical ethical concerns. Is the Internet's ability to deliver instant news and to track audience behavior resulting in lower news standards? And is TV news blurring the line between hard news and infotainment? In this two-part NewsHour program, syndicated columnist Richard Reeves; former broadcaster Marvin Kalb, of the Shorenstein Center; Ann McDaniel, Washington bureau chief of Newsweek; David Talbot, of Salon.com; and Fox news anchor Bill O'Reilly discuss these and other questions, as well as the intriguing view that today's ultra-vigilant media is actually raising the ethical bar, exposing scandals that formerly went unreported. (27 minutes)

The Bush administration marketed and sold the war in Iraq to the American people. How and why did the press buy it, and what does that say about the role of journalists in helping the public sort out fact from propaganda? In this program, veteran journalist Bill Moyers, award-winning producer Kathleen Hughes, and their investigative team piece together the reporting and political spin that shaped the public mind prior to, during, and following the 2003 invasion. Exposing the disappearance of a watchdog mentality in mainstream newspaper and TV journalism, the documentary also highlights the work of intrepid Knight Ridder reporters who dug beneath the surface of administration claims-only to be drowned out by the drums of war. Further insight comes from journalists Dan Rather, former anchor of CBS Evening News; Tim Russert of NBC's Meet the Press; Bob Simon of 60 Minutes; and Walter Isaacson, former chairman of CNN. (87 minutes)

Jon Stewart is considered one of America's top social and comedic voices. In this program, veteran journalist Bill Moyers interviews Stewart, the long-standing anchor of the award-winning Daily Show with Jon Stewart, about why so many viewers get their news and analysis from his fake news show. Does humor have a role to play in ensuring an informed public? Also on the program, Josh Marshall, influential political blogger, gives his perspective on the role of politics in the recent firings of federal prosecutors and Bill Moyers remembers David Halberstam. Broadcast date: April 27, 2007. (55 minutes)

Local news is the heartbeat of democracy, so why is it disappearing from communities around the nation? In this program, Bill Moyers talks with journalist Rick Karr and media activist Hannah Sassaman about the uncertain future of America's low-power radio stations, which in many cases are the last media outlets covering important local events. Also, Moyers and FCC Commissioner Michael Copps discuss regulatory rules being considered that will redefine the ownership and control permitted media conglomerates. What would an even stronger Big Media mean for objectivity and the marketplace of ideas, and what are the potential implications for the Internet-currently free and unfettered? Broadcast date: August 24, 2007. (58 minutes)

In 2005, a handful of Danish cartoons sparked a worldwide debate over freedom of expression-and the freedom to express religious outrage. Was a violent Islamic backlash against caricatures of the prophet Mohammed justified? Can democracy and fundamentalism coexist in the global community? This program travels to Lebanon, Iran, Syria, Qatar, and Turkey, as well as to France and Denmark, in search of answers. Viewers will encounter a wide array of perspectives from influential figures-such as Raed Hlayhel, the Danish Imam who moved to Lebanon to spearhead protests; Sheikh Yusef al-Qaradawi, the al-Jazeera Islamic televangelist who called for a day of anger" against the cartoons; and leading staff members of newspapers that published them. (54 minutes)"

In 1927, Herbert Hoover made TV history by appearing in one of America's first experimental broadcasts; 33 years later, the televising of the Kennedy-Nixon debates changed the face of political history forever. This program covers the progress of broadcast TV, from experimental novelty, to its emergence as a mass media powerhouse, and on to its current state as an industry with declining audience-share. In addition, the growth of public television and the symbiotic nature of the network-affiliate relationship are discussed. Can this once-dominant medium, now eroded by cable TV, VCRs, the Internet, and Nintendo, regain its past glory? This program is a necessary resource for any study of the history of broadcast television and its role in American culture. (28 minutes)

Can liberal talk radio succeed? What is the right mix of humor and political advocacy that turns airtime into market share? In this ABC News program, Chris Bury evaluates the liberal radio network Air America Radio-and the undeniably enormous success of conservative radio, an integral part of the Republican Party infrastructure. Will The O'Franken Factor beat Rush Limbaugh and his colleagues at their own game and balance the political airwaves? A panel discussion moderated by Ted Koppel follows the report. (23 minutes)

This program ventures past American shores to experience what covering the world" really means. Although television journalists can rarely provide sustained coverage of a specific international story, we have begun to realize that we need to cover international news with more of a world view, not just from our own geopolitical perspective. Driven in part by CNN's international reportage, the networks are showing greater interest in news from abroad, and local stations, too, have witnessed a tremendous growth in their global reach. Narrated by Peter Jennings. (30 minutes)"

Keeping people informed 24/7 demands a never-ending stream of news items-each one filled with material to be edited, facts to be checked, and decisions to be made as the clock steadily ticks. This ABC News program takes an unvarnished look at the Chicago Tribune, ABC's World News Tonight, and WJLA, an ABC affiliate, providing insider insights into what goes on at America's newspapers and TV stations as they scramble to feed the beast. (22 minutes)

With a career spanning more than five decades, Ben Bradlee commands the respect and attention of today's news community. This in-depth conversation between NewsHour's Jim Lehrer and the former managing editor of the Washington Post provides a wealth of journalistic acumen vital to communications and media studies. Bradlee sheds light on his early friendship with John F. Kennedy, the Watergate story, the eventual release of Deep Throat's identity, the Janet Cooke debacle, and other experiences. He also fields pointed questions from Lehrer on the subject of journalistic ethics, exploring scenarios in which professional integrity can be compromised. (57 minutes)

Sixties' media philosopher Marshall McLuhan predicted the coming of a Global Village in which telecommunications technology would figuratively shrink the world. Satellites, the Internet, multinational communications giants, and the ubiquity of televisions and computers have more than helped realize his prophecy. Who are the big players and what kind of village have they wrought? As American music, TV, film, sports, fashion, and food spread worldwide and push aside the local fare, are we guilty of cultural imperialism? This insightful program looks at a variety of issues surrounding the growth of media in the era of the international audience. (28 minutes)

As globalization of trade rapidly expands, the mainstream media is being accused of inadequately reporting the issues. This program canvasses some of the dissent by exploring conflicts of interest within the media and showing how technology, such as the camcorder and the Internet, is challenging the monopoly of big news broadcasters. Differences between mainstream and indie" media are highlighted in coverage of the economic summits and related protests in Genoa and Seattle. Among those interviewed are Danny Schechter, director of Mediachannel.org; Katharine Ainger, editor of New Internationalist magazine; and Chris Cramer, president of CNN International News. (22 minutes)"

This program takes us on a tour of what has become one of the most popular and prolific beats in television, on both the network and local levels. The depth and range of medical reporting have grown considerably in the last decade, but, with few exceptions, we were tragically late in reporting the scope and severity of the AIDS story. Controversial cures and dubious wonder drugs have always gotten lots of air-time, but television has dallied in addressing the health care crisis. The whole subject of aging has also been virtually ignored, and when it does get attention, it's usually of the doom-and-gloom variety. The good news is that health and medical reporting has broadened, abstract concepts have been humanized, and a new category of investigative reporting is helping medical consumers take more control of their own care. Narrated by Peter Jennings. (30 minutes)

Believe it or not, print journalism is alive and kicking in the digital age. This video takes viewers behind the scenes at a large daily newspaper, exploring in detail how staff members fulfill their writing, illustration, and assembly duties, and how the paper-based periodical has adapted to high-tech documentation, communication, and delivery methods. News and feature reporters, sub-editors, photographers, and the paper's news editor and print manager all discuss their challenges and responsibilities in detail-shedding light on how newsworthy events are tracked, stories are assigned, fieldwork is accomplished, pages are digitally laid out, and other aspects of journalism. Viewable/printable educational resources are available online. (26 minutes)

This video guides viewers through each step of making a one-minute/150-word digital story based on the theme Who Am I?", a project that relies on editing software such as Final Cut Pro to integrate digital snapshots, original or royalty-free music, and voiced-over narration into a multimedia essay. Technology is reshaping the way students learn and relate to each other; use How to Make Digital Stories to nurture multi-literacy and prepare your students for life in a world where digital expression and online collaboration are quickly becoming the norm. Ideal for courses in communications and computer science-and anywhere projects involving creative nonfiction can be used as a learning tool. Helpful for teacher education, as well. Viewable/printable educational resources are available online. (24 minutes)"