Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
Associate professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism; former senior writer on China for the New York Times
PROFILE
Howard French
Guest
FROM Howard French
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
60 Minutes' Africa Coverage Criticized A group of top African American media thinkers is taking on the CBS newsmagazine 60 Minutes for its coverage of Africa. They’ve written an open letter to the executive producer of the show, saying the content has lately ignored people of black, African descent in its shows about Africa. Two recent segments about African wildlife and one on Ebola relied heavily on interviews with white foreigners, according to the group of journalists and academics.
To the Point
Tibet Blows Up Before Beijing Olympics China is pouring troops into Tibet, where violent protests have led to deaths, injuries and widespread property damage. The exiled Dalai Lama has threatened to step down if the violence continues and repeated his offer to speak with Chinese leaders who blame him for starting it all. Today, from his home in exile in Dharamsala, India, the Dalai Lama met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi . She said the visit had long been planned, but took the opportunity to denounce what she called "China's oppression of people in Tibet." Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has urged " restraint" and "dialogue ," but President Bush still plans to attend the Beijing Olympics . The games are providing an international forum for ethnic, religious and territorial disputes. What's at stake for China? Will Tibet see any change?
Recommended
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Accusations of lying fly between James Comey and White House During his testimony Thursday, former FBI Director James Comey accused President Trump and other White House officials of lying when they said the FBI was in disarray and its staff had lost confidence in him. President Trump’s lawyer said Comey was wrong -- that the president never asked for his loyalty, and never asked him to back off the investigation into former NSA director Michael Flynn.
Bookworm
George Saunders: Lincoln in the Bardo (Part I) Lincoln in the Bardo dramatizes a grieving President Lincoln as he visits the grave of his beloved son Willie, who died at age eleven. In the novel, the buried dead believe they're not dead -- "they're sick and refer to their coffins as "sick boxes."
Bookworm
Claudio Magris: Blameless In Claudio Magris' Blameless, a museum of the implements of war and destruction is created to inspire peace. But this conversation is not just about war and peace.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Gov. Jerry Brown: California and China will fight climate change together President Donald Trump reportedly wants the U.S. to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, and he’s expected to announce a decision soon. California Governor Jerry Brown heads to China to strengthen climate and clean energy ties.