Worldly Media New Programming at PBS TV Stations Puts Spotlight on International Affairs by Alan B. Nichols Two of the Washington area’s Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) stations—WHUT and WETA—are introducing more international programming in recognition of the growing importance of global relations and diplomatic issues. On April 1, “Foreign Exchange” debuted on WHUT with an exciting new format that puts the spotlight on international issues. Hosted by Newsweek International editor Fareed Zakaria, the show features world-renowned experts in various fields, including economics, political science and others, as well as diplomats, officials and other prominent guests discussing such critical issues as international terrorism, socio-economics, immigration, the war in Iraq and global trade. The show is designed to plug a gap in television programming with its heavy emphasis on the in-depth exploration of globally significant issues, according to producer Mark Sugg, who noted that another goal is to combat peoples’ prejudices and general ignorance of international affairs. “We’ve had a ton of e-mails from our PBS viewers already and the response has been fantastic,” he said. “The show is a forum to discuss international issues in a civilized way.” Internationally focused programs in the past have not been as readily available as other types of programs, and according to Sugg, one reason for this is that the United States has been “at the top of the food chain and tends to look down on the rest of the world.” But with today’s political imperatives, “we must engage the world in a more sensible way. Unfortunately that’s not been a priority in the past,” he said, adding, however, that the response to the program’s first few broadcasts “has been very telling and shows that PBS viewers are hungry for more of this type of programming.” “Foreign Exchange” is produced by Azimuth, a Washington, D.C.-based production company, with the help of Oregon PBS affiliate station OPB, which is responsible for placing the show on as many PBS affiliates as possible. As OPB executive producer Chris Haws explained, international- and diplomatic-related programming receives marginal coverage on mainstream television, although a few shows, such as “The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer” (a WETA production) and BBC World News, frequently cover issues of international importance. Still, he said, “For dedicated viewers with an ongoing appetite for international perspectives on world affairs, we are it.” Added Sugg, “A strength of the show is that it’s produced in D.C. Plus, Fareed has enormous credibility as an experienced journalist, economist and analyst. Then we have the goodwill of the diplomatic community. We’ve mailed packets on the show to all the embassies. We are looking forward to having on the show diplomats and visitors to the U.S. who are sponsored by the foreign embassies who can offer our audiences interesting viewpoints and insights.” Zakaria, 41, the show’s host and a noted author, columnist and commentator whose recent book is titled “The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad,” is no stranger to television. A Harvard-trained historian, he appears frequently on public television, including “NewsHour,” and commercial television, including ABC’s “This Week,” where he offers political analysis and serves as a regular member of the roundtable. Describing him as “the most influential foreign policy adviser of his generation,” Esquire magazine named Zakaria “one of the 21 most important people of the 21st century.” In addition to his pungent analysis of global trade, international politics and a host of other relevant issues for diplomats, Zakaria regards diplomacy itself as a “fallen” art. “Diplomacy,” he said, “used to be considered a craft and, when done well, an art. However, it has fallen into disrepair in favor of more assertive displays of national power. Though sometimes it is called for, assertion of power is meaningless without diplomacy to accompany it. “I supported the war in Iraq, but I was horrified by the lack of diplomacy that accompanied it,” he added. “Imagine if the U.S. had engaged in diplomacy at the same time they were removing Saddam Hussein. Today we might well be seeing a multilateral force there, and the international community would be sharing the work of securing the country and helping it economically. Instead the U.S. is seen by many as a colonial occupying power. “Diplomacy should be an enduring process,” he continued. “Unfortunately we have a stop-gap approach. This is not just a U.S. problem—it is the approach of other countries as well. France and China for example. The French criticize the U.S. for its go-alone policies, but then turn around and practice unilateralism themselves when it suits them. “Americans tend to think of diplomacy as appeasement or surrender, but it really means a method to achieve one’s interests without force. If force is needed, as sometimes it is, it can be more effective when accompanied by diplomacy.” According to the India native, “Europeans see diplomacy as being able to accomplish everything, but Europe hasn’t thought through the instruments of power in non-European contexts. Europe’s shattering experience was its loss of empire. It’s one thing for the European Union to engage Holland, for example, diplomatically, but it may not work when dealing with, say, Syria. Europeans remember too well the days of empire and recoil from assertions of power, and so they tend to rely on diplomacy exclusively.” Zakaria argues that to create a more globalized world in political and institutional terms, nations must adopt completely new attitudes and methods of engagement. “Do we have a truly global political process that can meet the challenges created by the rapid growth of technology which enables jobs to go where the people are? Or problems of intellectual piracy, global trade and environmental treaties? These are all problems requiring new responses. There is little that is enduring that the U.S. can do by itself. All nations are too short-term oriented. It is not a lack of international forums. It’s the lack of national leadership.” As to other internationally oriented television shows on Washington’s public stations, WHUT offers a substantial menu of programs to appeal to its diverse audience, including a unique series on Africa, periodic interviews with foreign dignitaries such as the president of Ethiopia, and the program “Globe Trekker.” Like WETA, WHUT broadcasts the BBC World News on a daily basis. As WHUT general manager Jennifer Lawson explained, “D.C. is an international city, and WHUT seeks to bring the world into the homes of our 2 million viewers.” The popularity of its international content, she added, has been overwhelmingly favorable. “Our feedback has been very positive,” she said. “Many of our contributors mail a note with their check saying how much they value our international programs.” WETA has similarly expanded its offerings to appeal to a more diverse, globally conscious audience. In February, the WETA Board of Trustees voted to change its radio station (90.9 FM) to a news and public affairs format with expanded international coverage. The revised schedule features news reports, public affairs programs and news magazines with global reach from National Public Radio (NPR) and the BBC. Also in April, the station premiered “WETA Global Presents,” a new listening block at 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday (and Friday at 10:30 p.m.) that includes world news programs such as “Focus on Africa,” “Caribbean Report,” “Pacific Time,” “EuroQuest” and “Latino USA.” Among WETA’s new NPR program offerings are “News and Notes with Ed Gordon,” which provides insights on the news, trends and topical issues of interest to African Americans, and the news magazine “Day to Day,” hosted by award-winning journalist Alex Chadwick, who presents an engaging mix of hard news and enlightening features that tackles both breaking news and complex cultural subjects. “We are pleased that ‘News and Notes with Ed Gordon,’ our new bicoastal show that brings African American points of view on issues in the news, will reach the diverse audiences of the Washington area from 11 a.m. to noon,” said Kevin Klose, president of NPR. “We are also pleased that ‘Day to Day,’ our midday news magazine, will reach Washington audiences for the first time.” Among those new programs spotlighting international coverage is “BBC Newshour,” which will follow “ Morning Edition” on weekdays and feature live reports from news hot spots around the globe. “We are delighted to be able to offer WETA listeners access to independent, eyewitness news coverage from the largest team of news reporters in the world,” said Nigel Chapman, director of BBC World Service, the international radio service of the BBC. “BBC World Service specializes in going behind the headlines, interviewing the newsmakers, and bringing depth and detail to the stories that shape our world.” “Our station has evolved as our community has evolved,” said Dan DeVany, vice president and general manager of WETA 90.9 FM. “Few news organizations in the world can boast the reach of NPR and the BBC. Together they have more than 1,500 news professionals around the world. With these vast resources, WETA will provide a vital service to our community, offering information that helps us to place events and ideas in context, broaden our perspective, and enhance understanding of our complex and ever-changing times.” Alan B. Nichols is a contributing writer for The Washington Diplomat.