Episode 25: The Banality of CIA-Curated Definitions of 'Democracy'
Few words elicit such warm feelings as the term "Democracy." Wars are supposedly fought for it, foreign policies are built around it, protecting and advancing it is considered the United States' highe...
31 Jan 201853min
Episode 24: Highlighting Alternative Media - The Moral Limits of Dunking on Thomas Friedman
Here at Citations Needed we enjoy nothing more than ragging on corporate media - indeed, it's our primary job. But can constant snark and negativity breed cynicism? Recent feedback from some of our li...
24 Jan 201858min
News Brief: Why the Media Should Stop Calling it a "Government Shutdown"
It's not a "government shutdown", it's a liberal government shutdown––or, more precisely, a backdoor rightwing coup. Our words should reflect that. Relevant article: It's Not a Government Shutdown. It...
24 Jan 201812min
Episode 23: The Media's Grim Addiction to Perseverance Porn
We've all seen these feel good segments on the local news. The adorable and resourceful seven-year-old in California who's been recycling cans since he was three and now has $10,000 saved up for colle...
17 Jan 201850min
Episode 22: Trumpwashing -- How the Media Uses Trump to Launder Our Criminal Past
The unique threat and vileness of Donald Trump's presidency can't be overstated. Since he took office a year ago, he's increased civilian deaths in Afghanistan by 50%, increased civilian deaths in Syr...
10 Jan 201857min
Episode 21: Quantifying Negative Media Portrayals of People of Color
According to one 2014 study, 75% of white Americans don't have any non-white friends. Put another way, white people's perception of African Americans and other people of color comes primarily from med...
3 Jan 20181h 5min
Episode 20: Lotteryism, Part II -- A Most Dangerous Game: How Sports Are Used to Fleece Public Trusts
Previously on Citations Needed, we discussed the notion of "Lotteryism," that is, the use of the media by large corporations to obscure solidarity in favor of morality tales of "making it." It's a sc...
20 Des 201752min
Episode 19: Lotteryism Part I -- How a Compliant Press Fuels the Spectacle of 'Winning'
"Lotteryism" is the use of the media by large corporations to obscure solidarity in favor of morality tales of "making it". It's the atomization of parties of mutual interest by lording over them the ...
13 Des 201754min
