Key themes and lightning-rod issues

 ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CRISIS
Are the ways most media report and discuss the Israeli-Palestinian war making the crisis worse? Do accusations of media bias push people farther apart? How can news stories help bring about peace?
MEDIA CONCENTRATION
While Canadian journalists demand that their government investigate national media concentration, scholars, policymakers and journalists worldwide discuss the impact of media ownership on democracy. A special MediaChannel Issue Guide with debates, case studies and global ownership charts.
ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA
Environmental issues directly affect our communities, our food, our health and the sustainability of economic development: do they get the media treatment they deserve? A special MediaChannel Issue Guide.
WORLD IN CRISIS, MEDIA IN CONFLICT
Immediately after September 11, censorship, propaganda, bias, accuracy and surveillance all became huge issues for the world's media. This special collection of reports, commentary and research highlights serious questions about the relationships between media, governments and war. Includes resources for journalists covering conflict.
AFRICAN MEDIA
In a time of emerging democracies, globalized economies and new technologies, African communities need a free, legitimate, diverse and critical media more than ever. This Issue Guide introduces MediaChannel: Africa, a media support and information network launching in 2002.
MANIFESTOES
Can globally shared concerns about media engage mass support and inspire public action? Presenting 20 years of media declarations, MediaChannel invites your comments, critiques and participation.
WOMEN'S MEDIA
Women fight for access to the newsroom and boardroom as others establish their own media to make their voices heard. Will women change the nature of news? What is "women's media"? A special report for International Women's Day, March 8.
From JHU/CCP
COMMUNICATION FOR CHANGE
As coalitions around the world demand that sustainable development take priority over globalization, MediaChannel affiliates are using broadcast media to find local solutions to economic, political and social needs. A special report.
CYBERDEMOCRACY
As elections take place this month in Colombia, Kosovo, the United States and across Africa, MediaChannel affiliates explore how the digital revolution is changing politics, from grassroots to government
CHRISTMAS CONSUMPTION
As the American-style shop-a-thon is exported around the globe, MediaChannel affiliates take on the commercialization of Christmas and offer some media techniques for fighting back.
SEX, RACE AND SPORTS
In Part I of a special report, MediaChannel affiliates grapple with the hot issues of gender and race in sports.
U.S. MEDIA POLITICS
Media companies, the foremost recipients of campaign cash (in the form of ad spending), are among the most successful lobbyists in Washington. MediaChannel affiliates reveal America's invisible campaign-finance scandal and tell where the candidates stand on media policy.
HIP-HOP MEDIA
Hip hop: It's a worldwide force, serving up politics, history and social mores in a complex and often contradictory mix. In part II of our special report, MediaChannel affiliates ponder its power.
WORLD PUBCASTING
From cross-national collaborations in southeastern Europe to reformist declarations in southern Africa, MediaChannel affiliates weigh in on the challenge of maintaining a media enterprise for and of the people.
U.S. PUBCASTING
Critics accuse America's public-service media of abandoning their mission. But as MediaChannel affiliates and contributors report, public broadcasting may yet be put back on track — especially with a push from the public.
PR UNSPUN
Fraser Seitel wrote the textbook on public relations. John Stauber wrote the book against it. In a MediaChannel special report, "PR Unspun," the two face off, and our affiliates tackle this massive, global industry."
COVERING SPORTS
Sports coverage, possibly the most popular form of journalism in the world, is plagued by political, ethical and business issues that deserve scrutiny. MediaChannel affiliates give you the play-by-play.
BOOK BUSINESS
What's next for the written word? From the promise and perils of e-publishing to the social impact of small presses in developing nations, MediaChannel affiliates and contributors look at the business and future of book publishing.
Photo courtesy Undercurrents
COVERING DISSENT
When activists take up the tools of newsmaking and independent media challenge mainstream bias, it may be time to rethink our notions of objectivity, advocacy, free press and press protections. Andrew Wasley reports on the police arrests of journalists at British protests, and MediaChannel affiliates explore the issues.
MARKETING TO KIDS
In America, more than $2 billion a year is spent targeting the lucrative market of juvenile consumers. From animated princesses stuck in ancient gender roles to sodas packed with caffeine, the United States is exporting its kids' culture around the world. MediaChannel affiliates report on the dangers of kid marketing and the strategies for fighting back.
TAKING STOCK
Tickers, tickers, everywhere: the media loves the markets. But is the media obsession with stock markets answering the call of a world full of hungry investors, or is it dragging ill-informed dupes into a get-rich-quick scheme to serve the moneyed elite? MediaChannel affiliates take up the debate.
NUMBERS GAME
True believers in the secular faith of science, American journalists too often accept studies and surveys as revealed truth.
ONLINE JOURNALISM
The Internet: Democratic leveler of the journalistic playing field or launching pad for rumormongers? Discuss.
WAR AND PEACE
War journalism often presents disturbing choices: repeat the government propaganda or risk jail, report from pressroom safety or risk death in the field. There is also another, perhaps equally difficult option: peace journalism.

(Photo by Scott Peterson/Liaison Agency/Newsmakers)

MEDIA MAYHEM
Do violent movies, TV shows, and video games create a violent culture? And does a violent culture breed violent kids? Or is blaming the media just a pretext for censorship and a way to avoid society's real problems?

AS THE MEDIA WATCH THE WORLD, WE WATCH THE MEDIA.