Feb
01
2013

Maegan Ortiz on Immigration Reform; Will Potter on 'Ag Gag' laws

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This week on CounterSpin: Suddenly Washington is buzzing about comprehensive immigration reform. Republican opposition appears to be softening, and reporters seem downright relieved that the two parties might come together and get something done. But what do we know about the proposals being discussed? And who's being left out of the discussion? We'll ask journalist Maegan Ortiz of vivirlatino.

Also on CounterSpin today, the public's right to know takes a beating from new laws known as agriculture gag laws or "ag gag" laws, that are cropping up in states across the country. The laws attempt to stop activists and journalists from documenting the treatment of farm-animals, and are part of a larger campaign to criminalize and demonize activists. We’ll talk to journalist Will Potter about how Green is the New Red.

Jan
25
2013

Rose Aguilar on Roe at 40, Daphne Wysham on Climate Policy

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What are media missing as they mark the 40th anniversary of Roe v Wade Supreme Court? Journalist Rose Aguilar has a few ideas. And Barack Obama's comments on climate change in his inaugural address have generated a lot of coverage--and enthusiasm. We'll talk to Daphne Wysham of the Institute for Policy Studies about the policy side of that story.

Jan
18
2013

Emira Woods on Mali, William Black on Jack Lew

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What's missing from the Mali storyline? And what is the likely impact of this latest military action on the Malian people? CounterSpin talks to Emira Woods from the Institute for Policy Studies. And Barack Obama's nomination for Treasury Secretary, Jack Lew, has been celebrated in the financial community and corporate media. William Black joins us to talk about how the Lew nomination is just another brick in the Wall Street on the Potomac.

Jan
11
2013

Diane Ravitch on Michelle Rhee, Siva Vaidhyanathan on Google

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PBS Frontline took a look at the record of "school reformer" and media darling Michelle Rhee. We'll get a reaction from Diane Ravitch. And a government anti-trust investigation of Google seems to be over. Siva Vaidhyanathan talks about the company's dominance--and what it means.

Jan
04
2013

Bob McIntyre on Tax Deal, Kevin McKinney on Corporate FM

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The "fiscal cliff" tax deal is, according to the headlines, a big tax hike for the rich. Bob McIntyre from Citizens for Tax Justice breaks it down. And what happened to local commercial radio? Filmmaker Kevin McKinney takes a look in a new documentary called Corporate FM.

Dec
28
2012

Best of CounterSpin 2012

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This week we take a look back at some of the most important stories we've covered over the past year on CounterSpin. The show features Vjjay Prashad, Sarah Anderson, Mark Weisbrot and much, much more.

Dec
21
2012

Dean Baker on Social Security, Laila Al-Arian on Homeland and Islamophobia

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Dean Baker cuts through the media spin on the "fiscal cliff" and Social Security cuts. And is the hit Showtime drama "Homeland" a deeply Islamophobic show? Laila Al-Arian joins us to discuss her recent piece for Salon.com.

Dec
14
2012

Jane McAlevey on Michigan "Right to Work," Mijin Cha on Jobs Crisis

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A "Right to Work" law passes in Michigan-- what is missing from the press coverage? Labor writer and activist Jane McAlevey has some thoughts. And is Washington's focus on the "debt crisis" misguided? Mijin Cha thinks we'd be better off focusing on the jobs crisis.