In the fourth hour of News War, FRONTLINE/World reporter Greg Barker travels to the Middle East to examine the rise of Arab satellite TV channels and their impact on the "war of ideas" at a time of convulsive change and conflict in the region. His report focuses on the growing influence of Al Jazeera, and the controversy around the recent launch of Al Jazeera English, which U.S. satellite and cable companies have declined to carry. Barker also visits the "war room" of the State Department's Rapid Response Unit, which monitors Arab media 24 hours a day, and meets with U.S. military officers whose mission is to engage the Arab news channels in debate.
From the frontlines of the conflict, dual battles are being fought to win the trust of the Afghan people and combat the extremists living among them.
FRONTLINE/World investigates one of the darkest sides of the Bush Administration's war on terror – it's secret rendition program. Frontline's international news magazine returns with an investigation into the CIA's controversial practice of kidnapping terror suspects for interrogation. In India: A Second Opinion correspondent T.R. Reid explores the ancient Indian health care system of Ayurveda to see if it can cure his aching shoulder.
Season 8 begins with the story of an Italian restaurant owner who refused to pay the required monthly "tax" from the Mafia, under the backing of the anti-crime activists and law enforcement. Also included is a story of Chinese Muslims who are being detained at Guatanamo Bay, Cuba; and a Brazilian politician who legally changed his name to Barack Obama.
An examination by Sharmeen Obaid of the Taliban's increasing power and influence over Pakistan. Also, South Korea's possible newest public health crisis: Internet addiction.
An exploration of Pakistan's struggles against the Taliban. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy unveils the attempt to sway the hearts and minds of the citizens of Karachi and treks across the country. David Montero investigates the death of a friend/journalist against the Taliban during an Army Swat Valley campaign.
An investigation concerning the dumping of electronic junk worldwide, including China and Ghana, and what dangers it presents to the scavengers who seek precious metals from the devices to melt down. Also included is a report on criminals who seek information from old computers and cell phones. Another story is about the efforts put forth to create an affordable wheelchair for developing countries; plus, entrepreneurial competition which is taking place in the Middle East.
The Season 9 premiere examines the carbon trade in the Amazon; the repercussions of a 2008 immigration raid at a kosher meatpacking plant in Iowa; and a new approach to the threat of cross-species diseases.q
FRONTLINE/World investigates one of its own stories — "The Play Pump" — an apparently breakthrough idea to harness the energy of children to pump drinking water throughout remote areas of southern Africa. After FRONTLINE/World aired the story in 2005, major donors in the United States — and the U.S. government itself — launched a multimillion-dollar campaign to install the device in thousands of African schools and villages. Now, correspondent Amy Costello investigates what happened to those communities as the promise of the Play Pump fell short and the device's biggest American boosters began to back away from a technology they had once championed.
As the world spotlight hits China this summer, reporter Evan Osnos goes inside one of the country's most important, but least understood movements - China's underground churches.
