Essays in meditation on story, storytelling and storytellers

Greenwashing guidelines good, but could be sharper

Direct tax base should be widened

As Mahesh Bhatt turns 75 on September 20, Subhash K Jha calls him the 'eternal seeker of truth in cinema and in life'.

Since nothing irritates Lijo Jose Pellissery more than a throwaway critical judgment, Sreehari Nair carefully presents his opinions about Malaikottai Vaaliban, a good two weeks after he first saw the movie.

'I am happy with my life. It's not about falling or failing in life. It's about falling and then getting up and carrying on. I am happy with whatever I have done and achieved.' Radhika Sarathkumar tells A Ganesh Nadar what keeps her going.

Taina Moisander, a 26-year-old student from Finland shares some of the lessons she learnt while serving with a Transform team in Sicily, Italy.

An OMer and her friend share the message of the gospel with a receptive Turkish shopkeeper.

A new partner ministry broadcasting Urdu-speaking programmes to 360+ million who speak it, is giving them hope for eternity.

The 2017 OECD Forum takes place after a series of political upheavals few would have predicted scarcely twelve months ago. Divides have become more apparent between metropolises and capital cities on the one hand, and towns and villages on the other, between Millennials and pensioners, between the haves and the have-nots, between the best and the rest.

Over the past 15 years, Colombia’s education system has undergone an extraordinary transformation.

How the network upended American politics and news

I worry about my brother Tom. He has Fragile X, the most common cause of inherited learning disability. He can't write, read or understand money. He refers to Covid-19 as 'this bloody flu virus'.

ALEXANDRA SHULMAN: How much are you really drinking in these lockdown days? Studies claim that one person in three is drinking less often that causal, but I can't say I've come across them.

Bagpipes, tartan, thistles and lochs - such things are the basis of Scotland's tourist industry. And, to some extent, Scotland's national identity too.

I worry about my brother Tom. He has Fragile X, the most common cause of inherited learning disability. He can't write, read or understand money. He refers to Covid-19 as 'this bloody flu virus'.

ALEXANDRA SHULMAN: How much are you really drinking in these lockdown days? Studies claim that one person in three is drinking less often that causal, but I can't say I've come across them.

Archives, Room Use Only - F594.V57 1946

‘Shift plant from habitations’

A moment in Larry Mantle’s recent conversation with Steve Inskeep has stuck with me.

The NPR Morning Edition co-host was in our Pasadena studios to talk about his latest book, Imperfect Union. Asked how he approaches his day job, Inskeep told a story about the time he dispassionately called a heartbreaking loss for his high school football team. That “straight call” earned praise from a veteran broadcaster he admired. It’s a lesson, he said, that stayed with him.

“I may have a personal opinion; it doesn’t matter,” Inskeep told Mantle. “My job as a journalist is to get the facts right, that are in front of me, and you can do that even if you have a personal opinion.”

Mantle, who has hosted KPCC’s AirTalk for decades, responded: 

“You can’t do this work if you’re wired like an activist. I sort of see my wiring as more how a teacher would be, wired where you’re amassing information. You’re leading people through a story, and the joy is in people coming to their own conclusions.”

“If you’re an activist at all, you’re an activist for the truth,” Inskeep replied. 

Activists for truth. Finding joy in people reaching their own conclusions.

What a compelling description of what our newsroom strives to deliver every day to Southern Californians.

These were my thoughts even before my colleague at NPR came under attack for doing her job.

If you haven't been following the story, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo angrily objected to being questioned about Ukraine during an interview with All Things Considered co-host Mary Louise Kelly. Pompeo didn't care for Kelly's questions on air and the conversation grew even more contentious behind closed doors.

The next day he accused Kelly of lying about the topic of the interview and then reporting a conversation he claimed was off the record. [Including his odd demand she locate Ukraine on unmarked world map.]  Kelly has denied both claims and media outlets have reported on emails between her and Pompeo's staff that back up her assertion she told them the interview would go beyond questions about Iran.

Then, this week, the State Department denied credentials to NPR's Michele Kelemen, who'd been scheduled to cover Pompeo's trip to Europe.

NPR President and CEO John Lansing and Nancy Barnes, who heads news, are rightfully demanding answers.

Why does it matter? Because as Lansing notes having access to people in power is fundamental to "the role of journalism in America.

Get KPCC in your inbox

Breaking news alerts sent to your inbox

I want to take a few minutes to tell you more about how our newsroom works and why you’ll be hearing more from us about our mission and ambition.

Listeners may have noticed a new phrase on our air: “Democracy needs to be heard.” It’s a statement you’ll also start seeing on billboards and bus benches around Los Angeles.

It’s part of the first marketing campaign for our station in many years. The goal is to make more people aware of what we do and why we do it. We also want to grow our audience and our supporters, so we can do even more original journalism.

Southern California Public Radio — home to 89.3 KPCC, LAist Studios, and LAist.com — turns 20 this year. SCPR was born out of a belief that the region would embrace and support a news-focused NPR station serving Southern California with original programming and reporting.

In the two decades since, our members stepped up and helped us build what is now one of the biggest newsrooms in the region. We’ve gone from cramped quarters in the library of Pasadena City College, to a new headquarters in 2010, to today, when we have to scramble for desks for our growing operation.

If you’ve ever heard me on-air during a pledge drive, you’ve heard me talk about how remarkable it is that your support has fueled our ambition and growth. We’re the most listened to NPR station in Southern California. The public media model depends on people donating their hard-earned money because they believe in what we are doing. You don’t have to pay a dime to listen to us on your radio, or stream us on your smart speaker or our app. You’ll never hit a paywall when you visit our website.

Our relationship with you isn’t transactional — that’s one of the ways nonprofit member-supported newsrooms are different. Instead, we make a case that what we do matters, that it’s valuable to you — so valuable that you voluntarily support us (even though you can still listen and read if you don’t). 

That’s a powerful relationship.

It’s why we take community engagement so seriously. That means listening closely to your concerns, answering your questions, meeting you in person, thinking about how our coverage can be both for and about Southern Californians.

In September, we were awarded the first-ever Gather Award for engaged journalism from the Online News Association. In December, we won our second-in-a-row Champion of Curiosity Award for our breaking news coverage of the wildfires.

Our approach to engaged journalism has been transformational for coverage, and we’ve emerged as a clear leader in the industry — sharing what we’ve learned with other newsrooms.

***

We talk a lot about our public-service mission in this newsroom. It permeates how we approach stories. It’s why our reporters, producers, hosts and editors choose to work here. 

And we’ve made this promise to you:

“You deserve great local news — and we need your help to find those stories. We listen to what you’re curious about, what keeps you up at night, and who you want held accountable. We’re inviting you to be part of the conversation.”

We do this work because of you. We do it for you and with you. 

We’ve spent quite a bit of time thinking about how we’re finding and telling stories, and how we can do an even better job of delivering reporting that you won’t find anywhere else. We want our reporters to spend their energy on original stories (and not get stuck echoing information that everyone else is reporting). 

To that end, each reporter has their own individual mission statement to reflect their goals in covering communities and crucial issues. 

The free press is a cornerstone of democracy. That’s why in 1786 Thomas Jefferson wrote:

"Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost." 

More than 200 years later, Nelson Mandela said: “A critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy.”

Activists for truth. That means scrutinizing the information we receive from our sources or uncover through our reporting. It means giving you the context you need to consider what is fact and what is spin.

It’s truly an exciting time to work in our newsroom.

We have ambitious plans for coverage of the upcoming California primary and presidential election.

We have so much great work in progress — including three in-depth investigations scheduled to publish in the coming weeks.

Those stories took months to report, involving thousands of public documents, hundreds of miles of travel, and data analysis that no one else has done.

And it was only possible because of your support.  

Thank you.

Megan Garvey, Executive Editor

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

From the neurobiology of attraction to the hard truth about online dating, these five books offer fresh takes on our quest for love.

Actor says $1 from every ticket sold will go towards relief efforts in devastated Japan.

Eating less is more important than exercise if you want to lose weight.

A lot of faulty survival information gets passed around. Can you sort out which actions will save you, and which might kill you?

Whether it's a white lie or a whopper, fibs are part of our daily lives. We like to think we're honest but, well, we're not. Test your falsehood expertise.

Obama spurs a wave of green political advertising ... but is it just Greenwashing(ton)?

Meal kits aren't as bad for the environment as a trip to the grocery store for the same ingredients in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.

Is our sea salt consumption creating thyroid problems? Regardless of how you feel about iodine, here are the simple facts about this popular mineral.

The world's most famous ring of standing stones has been studied for centuries, yet we learn something new about it all the time.

The benefits of fish oil are well-marketed, but here's a comprehensive look at the toxins, side effects and sustainability issues as well.

The creepy bodark tree produces unnervingly strange fruit.

These supplements may just change the way you feel while you're working out and not much else.

If you're getting the vaccine this year, here are four things you should know about side effects, effectiveness and risks.

Let's put it this way — it's not the chlorine that's making you queasy.

Some animal advocates say don't give pets as gifts, but research shows it's not always a bad idea.

Al Gore, step aside. Saul Griffith has a slideshow that makes 'Inconvenient Truth' look like a warmup.

Danish environmentalist Bjorn Lomborg discusses his new book "Smart Solutions to Climate Change: Comparing Costs and Benefits'" as well as the film "Cool It," w

When you talk about genetic hair loss most people think about the most common form of hair loss: male-pattern baldness. This is the type of hair loss that is passed on genetically to offspring from their mothers. Most often the recipients of this type of hair loss are men, but sometimes the gene can result in female hair loss.

For a long time most people had the belief that female hair loss was related to the hereditary factor only. However, due to an increase in hair loss amongst women this condition is getting a lot more exposure and acknowledgement in the medical community.

It is normal to shed hair every day and the truth is we loose between 100 - 125 hairs on any given day. Some people, however, experience more hair loss than is normal. Hare some alternative health ideas that can help naturally.

These days the subject of generic medications troubles many "anxious about our health government minds ".Generic drugs are unsafe, not helpful as brand names for your diseases , they are made in unautorised facilities ect . Is this the truth or is it just an attempt to favour some american drug manufacturers and pharmacies.

How many mentors do you have? Many people swear by their mentors and frequently credit them with much of their success. In this article you will find out not only what to look for in a mentor, but also how to find mentors, and why you should have many instead of just one.

"... there is biologic activity and that there is cell damage when the skin is exposed to UV rays. This repair process can eventually fail to do its job completely or correctly causing the cells to replicate abnormally [...] this breakdown in the normal functioning of cells can lead to malignant cancer." "Despite the fact that we know that there is no such thing as a safe tan, people still associate bronzed skin with beauty and health... "

The Secret About How Lucky People Get Lucky!

Are you pregnant with your first baby and wondering what really happens during labor? Suzanne Doyle-Ingram writes about natural childbirth, midwives versus doctors and the dangers of epidurals.

Baby acne is commonly the mother's hormones passed to the baby in the placenta during pregnancy, but won't appear until 3 to 4 weeks afterwards. The hormones trigger the baby's oil producing glands, leading to the development of acne. It could also be the result of taking certain medications.

Most digital cameras today boast of greater resolution and picture quality. What does that mean to the amateur or occasional photographer? You hear of cameras with 3 megapixals up to 6 or 7 megapixals. What is that?

One of the most profound enigmas of the existence of secret societies is and has always been, why do people join? Why is it, that people find these groups so interesting? What is it that we are looking for?

Data entry jobs are something that many people like to do online. All they have to do is sit at home and type or do simple manual labor that does not require a degree or other special education, and can earn thousands annually.

Better Off Bald: A Life in 147 Days shows how two sisters endured the shock, horror, and grim reality of a deadly cancer diagnosis