Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Mideast Propaganda Wars, Putin’s Popularity, and Fox’s Utopia
Hamas and Israel using social media to influence coverage of ongoing conflict. Vladimir Putin’s popularity is soaring. A record that has become one of the most sought-after artifacts for some music collectors. TV roundup: Fox’s attempts to build a utopia.
By Madeleine Brand • • 52m ListenWe look at the way Hamas and Israel are using social media to influence coverage and opinions of their ongoing conflict. Some say Israel is losing the opinion battle in the mainstream Western media. We also discuss why Vladimir Putin’s popularity is soaring in his country, despite the increasingly messy conflict in Ukraine. We untangle the mystery behind an extremely obscure record that has become one of the most sought-after artifacts for some music collectors. And in our weekly TV roundup, we hear about Fox’s attempts to build a utopia.
Banner Image: Vladimir Putin during annual Q & A conference, photo credit: Russavia
In this episode
5 storiesA Social Media War
We look at the way Hamas and Israel are using social media to influence coverage and opinions of their ongoing conflict. Using propaganda during conflicts is not new, but our guest says “Social media has put the propaganda war on steroids.”
Read the story9 minCovering Gaza
Some say that Israel is losing the public opinion battle in the mainstream Western media. At least 73 Palestinian children have been killed there this month, according to the UN. That includes four boys hit by an Israeli airstrike while playing soccer on a Gaza beach last Wednesday. Because of attacks like that, some say the latest U.S.
Read the story7 minFox’s Utopia
This fall, a new civilization will be born. And cameras will be rolling the whole time. The Fox network’s newest reality TV show is called “Utopia”, and the network says it’s a social experiment. We talk about that, plus the latest news coming out of the Television Critics Association press event.
Read the story9 minMystery of a Rare Record
We untangle the mystery behind an extremely obscure record that has become one of the most sought-after artifacts for some music collectors. The artist went by the name “Lewis,” and nobody can track him down.
Read the story14 minPutin’s Popularity
Accusations that Russia may have played a role in the downing of the Malaysia Airlines plane over Ukraine have only added to Vladimir Putin’s international PR problems. But inside Russia, Putin’s popularity is at an all-time high. A recent Gallup poll says that 83 percent of Russians approve of his job performance.
Read the story7 min
