FBI Informants And The Muslim Community; Newspapers in Crisis; FilmWeek; Are Film Critics Out Of Touch With The Movie-Going Public?
FBI Informants And The Muslim Community
The Muslim American community represents a potent ally in the FBI's fight against Al-Qaeda. But if the FBI profiles members of the Islamic community or wrongly accuses them, they risk alienating people who might otherwise help them. This basic dilemma is a theme in the case of Alhmadullah Sais Niazi, a man arrested by the FBI and charged with perjury and fraud. He says the FBI unfairly singled him out because he refused to act as an informant. Also revealed in the case was Craig Monteilh, a 46-year-old Irvine resident who was sent by the FBI to infiltrate several Orange County mosques as part of a case against Niazi. What does this mean to the Islamic community of Southern California? And what can the FBI do to track potential criminals, while not inappropriately targeting innocents who happen to be Muslim?
Newspapers in Crisis
Today, the Rocky Mountain News published its last newspaper. The nearly 150 year-old Denver paper was a victim of the tough economy and tumultuous changes in the newspaper industry. And unless it can find a buyer, the San Francisco Chronicle may also shut down, having lost more than $50 million last year. Along with these developments, the Washington Post Co. reported that its earnings for the forth quarter of 2008 fell 77% compared to the year before. But while readers and ad revenues shift to the internet, the demand for news is higher than before. Can the newspaper industry come up with a viable business model in these uncertain times? Larry Mantle talks with guests about the future of newspapers.
FilmWeek
Larry Mantle and film critics Henry Sheehan of henrysheehan.com, and Andy Klein, formerly of "CityBeat," discuss the week's new releases including Crossing Over, Bob Funk, Must Read After My Death, Cherry Blossoms, and Scott Walker-30th Century Man.
Are Film Critics Out Of Touch With The Movie-Going Public?
Larry talks with KPCC film critics Andy Klein and Henry Sheehan about film criticism and the general movie-going public. Are film critics out of touch with audiences? Do their reviews make a difference to movie-goers? Larry takes listener calls.