Citations Needed

The #Resistance warms up to rightwing ghouls David Frum and Evan McMullin while ignoring anti-Trump protesters facing 80 years in federal prison. With guest Sam Menefee-Libey.

We discuss the cynical use of "human rights" to advance US interests with guest Glenn Greenwald.  The conceit that the U.S. has been a dedicated and earnest promoter of “freedom”, “democracy,” and “human rights” throughout the world — even if, at times, a “flawed” one — is a defining narrative, largely taken for granted by major media. But how accurate is this assumption? What do we mean when we talk about human rights? What abuses are highlighted and which aren’t? Where do labor rights fit into the broader discussion of human rights? On this episode of Citations Needed, we attempt to parse some of these complex questions and how they fit into a broader discussions of soft power and war.

On this news brief we discuss the media's fear of covering Harvey in the context of race, class, and the manifest threat of climate change. With guest Katherine Krueger of Splinter News. 

In Episode 7 we explore how the media discusses the issue of BDS and the broader topic of Palestinian liberation with guest Steven Salaita.

We discuss the virtue of defending lofty free speech ideals in the Trump era with our guest George Ciccariello.

Dr. Jared A. Ball, a communication studies professor at Morgan State University, discusses how media narratives often facilitate white supremacy. He analyzes the language that downplays state violence and creates false equivalencies between police and victims. The conversation dives into how black victims are often posthumously smeared and how exaggerated threats against police shift blame. Ball explores the media's role in shaping perceptions of systemic racism and the urgent need for accountability in representation.

The discussion unveils how media amplifies tensions with North Korea, spotlighting Trump's provocative rhetoric on nuclear capabilities. It critiques the exaggeration of threats and the political narrative that supports military intervention, emphasizing the racial biases in U.S. foreign policy. Exploring North Korea's anti-imperialist stance reveals its historical context and backlash against external threats. The conversation ultimately warns against oversimplified portrayals of a complex geopolitical situation.

Roqayah Chamseddine, a keen commentator on social issues, dives deep into the media's historical erasure of socialists of color. She and her co-guest explore how narratives often misconstrue socialism as a white-only movement, despite rich contributions from figures like Rosa Parks and the Black Panthers. The discussion connects past and present, emphasizing solidarity among marginalized communities, while challenging contemporary leftist politics to embrace a more inclusive narrative. The importance of recognizing racial dynamics in socialism is highlighted throughout.

Explore the media's role in shaping perceptions of U.S. and Iranian actions, revealing the biases behind narratives of benevolent intervention. Delve into the complexities of Iraq and Syria, revealing the true consequences of military strategies. The discussion exposes misleading links between Iran and terrorism while critiquing America's portrayal of civilian casualties in Mosul. Finally, it addresses the controversial push for regime change in Iran and the troubling influence of think tanks on U.S. policy.

In this conversation with Josmar Trujillo, a Harlem-based organizer and writer, the spotlight is on the alarming rise of gang raids targeting predominantly black and brown communities. They dive deep into how sensationalized media narratives fuel public perceptions of crime and dehumanize individuals caught in these police operations. Josmar also sheds light on the links between aggressive policing, gentrification, and systemic bias, questioning the moral panic perpetuated by these narratives. It's a critical exploration of justice and societal impact.