The IFC Media Project Episode Guide, Season 2 - Pazsaz Entertainment Network

Back To Pazsaz Entertainment Network's The IFC Media Project Page

American Worldview
This episode focuses on how the United States is represented in the world's media, and how the world is (mis)represented within our own nation. The feature segment, hosted by former Al Jazeera producer Robb Wood, takes a look at the lack of availability of Al Jazeera English in the U.S. This segment includes interviews with Cliff Kincaid of Accuracy in Media, a driving force behind the movement to ban the channel, as well as members of the anti-Al Jazeera "Vermont Defenders League." Allan Block of Buckeye Cable in Ohio, the only cable operator in the U.S. currently airing the channel, is also profiled. This episode's mini-feature looks at Radmilla Suleymanova, a 26-year-old journalism school graduate, who takes a personal journey to the country of Georgia to better understand the country's recent conflict with Russia. This story includes an interview with the man responsible for Georgia's "PR campaign" during the war. IFC's resident "News Junkie" spotlights how the mainstream news media covers developing nations. This episode also features an interview with BBC executive producer and creator of "BCC World News America," Rome Hartman, regarding international vs. U.S. context within news stories.

Crossing The Line
This episode focuses on ethics in journalism. When is it "ok" (or not "ok") for reporters to cross the line, in the name of pursuing a story? When do the rules on free speech come into play? The feature segment takes an in-depth look at the case of Muntander Al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist arrested in December 2008 for throwing his shoes at President George W. Bush during a press conference in Iraq. Both western and Iraqi news media are interviewed about their reactions to the scandal, including what the event's coverage meant on each side of the globe. The episode features an interview with Al-Zaidi's brother in Iraq. This episode's mini-feature takes a deep dive into the ethics of news magazines, through the eyes of former 48 Hours correspondent and producer Eames Yates, who is also the stepson of legendary 60 Minutes journalist Mike Wallace. IFC's resident "News Junkie" shares his top five tips for journalists to stay on the straight and narrow. This episode also features an interview with Randy Cohen, Sunday Times Magazine "The Ethicist" columnist.

Agendas
This episode challenges the media's agendas in business and political news coverage. Gideon Yago looks at the debate over clean coal and how it has been dominated by two competing public relations campaigns that obscure the fundamentals of what's really going on. The episode also looks at the debate over the little discussed fact that we currently still need coal and will for a long time in the future. This episode's mini-feature focuses on activist Alex Jones, a prime example of below-the-radar anti-government voices in the media today, and how he gets his non-conventional voice heard. IFC's resident "News Junkie" shares a few agendas he'd like to see the news pick up on.

Economics And News
This episode focuses on the state of the media in the current economy. Now that our country is in a state of crisis, can media outlets - and the news as we know it - survive? Multiple case studies and perspectives are presented from former media insiders on how media outlets have been forced to change financially, and which ones are benefiting most from the digital shift. This episode's mini-feature chronicles the death of the Rocky Mountain News after 149 years of existence. Told from the point of view of John Temple, Rocky Mountain News editor and publisher, this essay piece draws on footage shot between the day the closure was announced and the day the paper shut its doors for good. IFC's resident "News Junkie" gives us his solutions for the economic woes of the news media industry.

Government And The Media
The IFC Media Project crew has been tracking the work of four journalists inside the White House press corps since President Obama's inauguration. Commentary from these journalists is weaved together to offer an intimate peek inside the White House press corps, including a portrait of how our nation's president directly relates with the media. This episode's mini-feature will take a lively look at the history, policy and trends that have affected just how transparent a look we get at our government in action. IFC's resident "News Junkie" offers up his Unified Conspiracy Theory on the subject of the Government and its control of the media.