News & Media

Writer and editor Victor Navasky has been with The Nation since 1978. Now the magazine -- a "journal of commentary and dissent" -- is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a new anthology. Navasky talks about the Nation's editorial stand on the Gulf crisis and how the peace movement is responding to events.

Television critic David Bianculli previews the CBS comedy-drama, about a local TV news station. He says the well-cast pilot has a purposeful feel reminiscent of Hill Street Blues.

Baltimore Sun reporter Roger Simon has a syndicated column that originates from the Baltimore Sun. He's covered several presidential campaigns; his new book about the 1988 presidential election is called Road Show.

Contributing editor to Harper's Magazine L.J Davis recently reported on the history and current crisis of the savings and loans system.

Harden was the bureau chief for the Washington Post in sub-Saharan Africa from 1985-1989. His new book, called Africa, talks about the continent's growing population, strong man rule, and how tribal and familial communities fill needs neglected by the government.

Kaye played guitar in the Patti Smith Group and has recorded albums with his own band. He produced Suzanne Vega's first two albums, and more recently worked with Soul Asylum and Michelle Malone. Kaye compiled the 1960s garage rock anthology, Nuggets, and was the executive producer for the Elektra Records 40th anniversary compilation, Rubaiyat.

Eno has released several albums of ambient music, which were inspired by the classical avant-garde. His new album, a collaboration with John Cale called Wrong Way Up, is a more conventional rock record. He has produced albums for many new wave and pop bands, including Devo, Talking Heads and the Penguin Cafe Orchestra.

Cropper is a white musician who fell in love with black music. As a guitar player, he preferred working in the studio rather than on the road, and later became part of the house rhythm section for Stax Records. He's best known for his playing with Booker T & the MGs and Otis Redding.

Sunday Times journalist James Adams reports on the increase of chemical weapons stores in Iraq -- which was fueled in part by the actions of wealthier, Western countries. He says dictators around the world are more likely to use their weapons stores, which poses a problem for developed countries. An expert on the arms business, Adams believes war between the United States and Iraq is inevitable.

Cohen founded the organization Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR). Contrary to the popular belief in a liberal media, Cohen's analysis of recent journalism reveals a conservative bias, especially in the selection of guests on television news programs.

Was is half of the rock group Was (Not Was). They have a new album called Are You Okay?. Was, who is white, has also become an in-demand producer who is heavily influenced by black music. He helped make Bonnie Raitt's comeback album, Nick of Time.

New York Times journalist Timothy West says that cities in the region like Seattle strike a successful balance between urban centers and the natural world. His new book about his travels throughout the Pacific Northwest is called The Good Rain.

New Yorker staffer Tony Hiss has a new book compiling several of his articles for the magazine, called The Experience of Place. His writing concerns the emotional dimensions of city planning. Hiss is the son of Alger Hiss, who was charged with treason during the McCarthy era.

New York Times journalists Ralph Blumenthal and E.R. Shipp were part of a five-person team who investigated the supposed rape and murder of Tawana Brawley, a fifteen-year-old African American girl in Wappingers Falls, New York. A book about the public controversy, and how the reporters concluded the incident was a hoax, is called Outrage.

After ceasing publication last November, the feminist magazine, founded by Gloria Steinem, is back on (at least some) newsstands. Book critic Maureen Corrigan praises its return and its inclusion of more diverse writers. But the changes comes at a price -- now ad free, the cost of each issue has gone up.

Roberts helped popularize what is now called world music. His interest, particularly in African music, developed while he worked for a news agency in Kenya. Roberts was surprised to discover American influences in some of the songs he recorded, which led him to reject any notion of a pure, national music.

Journalist Randy Shilts just returned from the latest International AIDS Conference in San Francisco. He says there is a revitalized push for the development of new drug treatments and a vaccine. Yet there have been protests against the volunteer-based model of AIDS outreach and treatment. After eight years, Shilts plans to stop reporting on the disease.

A new edition of photographer David Douglas Duncan's 1951 book This is War, which captures images of Marines in Korea, has just been published. Duncan is also known for his several photos of Pablo Picasso.

Writer, poet, and commentator Andrei Codrescu. His thoughts regularly appear on "All Things Considered," and he also recently reported for ATC on the changes in his native country, Romania.

Film critic Owen Gleiberman reviews Michael Caine's home video "Acting in Film."