Amanpour and Company

News and Public Affairs Series / 2 Seasons

Featuring conversations with global leaders and decision makers on the issues affecting the world today, Amanpour and Company adds to the long tradition of public affairs programming that has been a hallmark of public media for decades.

Watch: S2023 E6121

26m 46s

Has Amazon Contributed to America’s Political Unraveling?

16m 19s

Amazon is the second most trusted institution in the U.S., surpassed only by the military, according to a Georgetown and NYU poll. What can the company's disproportionate influence mean for American society? In "Fulfillment," award-winning journalist Alec MacGillis examines the company’s impact on the wealth and poverty of towns and cities across the country.

“Thousands of Civilian Deaths” — NYT on U.S. Airstrikes

16m 57s

America’s air war in the Middle East was advertised as the most precise campaign in history. But new investigative reporting is revealing a cacophony of errors. Flawed intelligence and imprecise targeting caused the deaths of thousands of civilians, a number that was severely underreported by the Pentagon. Azmat Khan exposes the true human toll of American airstrikes.

Why Gerrymandering Is Inherently Racist

17m 45s

Manipulating district voting boundaries – also known as gerrymandering – is dividing the nation. Republicans suggest the process is “not that bad,” but in a recent Washington Post op-ed, Michael Li – one of the foremost experts on this process – calls this "a misleading narrative.” He explains why to Michel Martin.

Could Her Father’s Life Have Been Saved?

18m 5s

78 year old Dale Weeks was fully vaccinated and booster, but recently passed away – not from COVID-19, but from a series of events in local hospitals that were overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases. His daughter Julie Simanski sits down with Michel Martin to share her frustrations.

Did Facebook Contribute to Jan. 6? Whistleblower Weighs In

17m 11s

Critics say that Facebook was a prime tool used to spread misinformation and sow confusion in the 2020 election. Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, who came forward with leaked documents, says there is evidence to prove these allegations -- as she explains to Walter Isaacson.

Carl Bernstein on Reporting the Truth During the Trump Era

18m 9s

The evolution of journalism has known many challenges, up to and including the current flood of misinformation. Journalist Carl Bernstein has seen it all on his career path from copy boy to Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter who helped break the Watergate scandal. He revisits that journey in his new book, "Chasing History." He discusses the issues that threaten our culture and our politics today.

COVID-19 Is Here to Stay, Says Former Biden Adviser

18m 7s

As the Omicron variant has pushed U.S. hospitalizations toward a record high, a group of doctors has called for the Biden administration to adopt a “new normal” approach, as advocated in three recent opinion articles. Among these experts is a former member of President Biden’s transition COVID-19 advisory board, Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel. He joins the program to explain how the White House should pivot.

Is There Room for Redemption in Our Cancel Culture?

15m 13s

Loretta J. Ross is a visiting professor at Smith College whose teaching focuses on white supremacy in the age of Trump. Ross speaks with Michel Martin on whether January 6 provides an opportunity for reflection and healing.

Jason Stanley: "America is Now in Fascism’s Legal Phase"

18m 14s

Yale philosophy professor Jason Stanley sees January 6, 2021 as part of a history of fascist impulses in American politics. This is the focus of his book "How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them." His latest article in The Guardian is titled “America is now in fascism’s legal phase.” Stanley speaks with Michel Martin about what he calls an “extremely critical moment” for democracy.

Is Trump Laying the Groundwork for a Coup in 2024?

18m 38s

Clashing ideologies about the meaning of democracy in America are no less harrowing than the events of January 6. Journalist Bill Moyers, a 30-time Emmy Award winner, shares his views and concerns in the new PBS documentary "Preserving Democracy." Moyers speaks alongside historian Kathleen Belew – who also appears in the film – about the insurrection and the danger of a recurrence.

Ed Yong: COVID Testing One of Biden Admin’s “Key Failures"

17m 27s

The Omicron variant is surging in almost all 50 states. For those who have tested positive but are asymptomatic, the CDC has shortened the isolation period from 10 days to five. Ed Yong, science writer for The Atlantic, tells Walter Isaacson how this policy change could have a significant impact on U.S. healthcare.

Dr. Ayoade Alakija: What Do We Really Know About Omicron?

2m 13s

Can we learn to live with COVID-19? The question might sound strange in view of Omicron case numbers that threaten to overwhelm health services in the U.S. and Europe. But important studies from South Africa and the U.K. indicate that this variant is less severe. To discuss all this, Christiane speaks with Dr. Larry Brilliant and Dr. Ayoade Alakija.

“Invisible Child:” The Life of a Homeless Family in NYC

18m 7s

Eight years ago, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Andrea Elliott wrote a damning exposé of New York’s handling of its homeless population, focusing on one girl named Dasani. Elliott's new book, "Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival and Hope in an American City," expands on her previous reporting. The author speaks with Hari Sreenivasan.

Is American Democracy Secure for the Next Generation?

17m 25s

Less than a year before the 2022 midterm elections in the U.S., President Biden has come out in favor of suspending the filibuster to protect voting rights. This comes after a push by Republicans for an array of new proposals that critics say will disproportionately impact voters of color. Ted Johnson joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss the deadly peril of racism threatening American democracy.

Why Working 9 to 5 Will Soon Be a Relic of the Past

16m 33s

The pandemic has undoubtedly brought permanent change to traditional working norms. And this may be a good thing, what with such countries as Iceland and Scotland now experimenting with a four-day work week. Journalists Anne Helen Petersen and Charlie Warzel believe the nine-to-five routine is a relic of America's past.

Is Omicron Less Dangerous Than Delta? Dr. Fauci Weighs In

18m 12s

The Omicron variant is now the dominant strain of COVID-19 in the United States. Less than a month after the first case appeared, the CDC reports the variant made up more than 70% of all new infections last week. Dr. Anthony Fauci, Chief Medical Advisor to President Biden, has speaks on the latest details with Walter Isaacson.

Yale Sociologist: COVID-19 Will Reshape Humanity

17m 40s

With Omicron on the rise, what might next year have in store? Nicholas Christakis is director of the Human Nature Lab at Yale University and author of the bestseller "Apollo’s Arrow." He speaks with Hari Sreenivasan about what’s to come in the next phase of the pandemic.

Oceanographer Sylvia Earle's Campaign to Save the Oceans

2m 52s

Legendary oceanographer Sylvia Earle has spent a lifetime at the bottom of the sea, and at 86 she is still campaigning to save the oceans. Her new book, “National Geographic Ocean: A Global Odyssey,” explains why clean oceans are vital to humanity. She joins the show from California to explain why oceans matter and what keeps drawing her back to the water.

Fmr. Treasury Sec. Lawrence Summers: Is a Recession Coming?

16m 52s

The public health battle against Omicron is racking up staggering costs. Inflation is gathering steam and hitting people hard with rising food, housing and gas prices. Walter Isaacson speaks with former treasury secretary Larry Summers about how to right the ship.

Fmr. Google Insider on Whistleblowers, Unions and AI Bias

17m 56s

Timnit Gebru is among the most prominent Black women working in artificial intelligence today. Formerly co-leader of Google’s ethical AI team, Gebru says she was fired after speaking out about how AI systems can reinforce social inequalities. Google, however, claims Gebru resigned. Now she is tackling the problem head-on with a new research institute that gives voice to marginalized groups.

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