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Back to To the Point

To the Point

"Citizen Koch:" Big Money, Politics and a Movie that Nearly Didn't Get Made

A film on money in American politics was produced for broadcast on public television. It's called "Citizen Koch" to reflect the influence of the Koch Brothers in funding political campaigns since the US Supreme Court's decision in the Citizens United case.

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By Warren Olney • Jun 5, 2014 • 1 min read

A film on money in American politics was produced for broadcast on public television. It's called "Citizen Koch" to reflect the influence of the Koch Brothers in funding political campaigns since the US Supreme Court's decision in the Citizens United case. After its premiere at Sundance this past January, the film lost $150,000 in funding from the Independent Television Service, the public agency that supports the production and distribution of independent documentaries.

It turns out that the Koch Brothers are also influential in funding public TV. Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Tia Lessin, co-director of Citizen Koch, says that's had great impact on the film and its availability to American audiences.

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Jenny Hamel

    KCRW

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    Caitlin Shamberg

    KCRW

  • KCRW placeholder

    Andrea Brody

    Senior Producer, KCRW's Life Examined and To the Point podcast

  • KCRW placeholder

    Tia Lessin

    director of “The Janes”

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