To the Point
Internet Piracy: Will SOPA Change the Web as We Know It?
Can websites that profit from pirated films and music be protected without destroying the freedom that makes the Internet so important to so many users?
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenThere's a major battle on Capitol Hill involving big money with Republicans and Democrats on both sides of the issue. It's all about Internet sites that profit from pirated films and music. Can that material be protected without destroying the freedom that makes the Internet so important to so many users? Also, Syrian President Bashar Assad denies any crackdown, and the Romney campaign says a TV ad quoting President Obama out of context is just "propaganda."
Banner image: Netflix is just one of several companies which provide online content that is threatened by Internet piracy. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesSyrian President Denies Any Crackdown
Syrian President Bashar al Assad has denied any suggestion that he ordered a bloody crackdown against protesters demanding that he resign. He insists that any violence is the work of criminals, terrorists and sympathizers with al Qaeda.
Read the story7 minInternet Piracy: It's Hollywood versus Silicon Valley
America's so-called "creative" industries are battling it out on Capitol Hill with a lot at stake for consumers who depend on the Internet. The movie and music industries, some labor unions and the Chamber of Commerce want to crackdown on Internet piracy, which is costing some $58 billion a year.
Read the story36 minThe Postmodern Approach to Truth in Political Campaigns
A couple weeks ago Mitt Romney 's campaign released a TV ad with a quote from President Obama. Although he did speak those words, the context was far different from what was implied by the commercial. In 2008, candidate Obama said, "If we keep talking about the economy, we're going to lose," quoting his Republican opponent John McCain.
Read the story51 min
