Freedom of speech and media as a means to informing a more engaged public with Michael Geier

Freedom of speech and media as a means to informing a more engaged public with Michael Geier

Author: Amanda Stephens, Hanna Bilinski,Rti September 29, 2025 Duration: 0:00

This week, Amanda and Hanna touch on the freedom of speech meltdown that happened in the U.S. following in the wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination. Then Amanda sits down with Michael Geier, the cinematographer for one of Taiwan's most successful documentaries to-date, "Invisible Nation" (or 看不見國家), to discuss the role of entertainment, and especially film, in informing a more engaged public.

Read along with us:

The Kimmel Show ups and downs: 1. Jimmy Kimmel to return after suspension over Charlie Kirk comments (Nardine Saad, BBC), 2. Missed Kimmel’s return? Here’s a transcript of the monologue (Luciana Lopez, CNN), 3. Kimmel pulls no punches as he sends defiant message to Trump (Ian Youngs, BBC), 4. Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension is an alarming new low for the US culture wars (Jesse Hssengar, The Guardian)


Every week, writers Hanna Bilinski and Amanda Stephens find themselves stuck in the same cycle: falling down a rabbit hole of alarming headlines and relentless updates. The Doomscroll News Report is their attempt to climb back out and make sense of it all. Instead of just recapping the major international stories that flooded their feeds, they pause to place each event within a broader context, asking what it really means for the global conversation. This isn't a straight news broadcast; it's a dialogue between two curious observers who bring on knowledgeable guests to deepen the discussion. By weaving together expert insight with their own perspectives as individuals striving to stay informed, they create a space for understanding that goes beyond the reactive nature of the daily news cycle. Tuning into this podcast feels like joining a necessary conversation that seeks clarity and connection amidst the noise, offering a thoughtful alternative to the endless scroll.
Author: Language: en_us Episodes: 51

The Doomscroll News Report
Podcast Episodes
One year of doomscrolling! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Hanna and Amanda reflect on some of their favorite stories from the last year of Doomscroll News Report episodes. They also have a chat(GPT) about the controversies surrounding OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Read along: Sam Altm…
An uneasy ceasefire without Lebanon, and Hungary's big election [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This week, hosts Amanda and Hanna are discussing the Iran ceasefire that came and almost went, why Lebanon doesn't seem to be included, and Viktor Orban’s tight election which could cost him his 16-year rule. Read along…
Iran war identity crisis, Cuba without power, and alpine divorce [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This week, hosts Amanda and Hanna tackle defections and ideology clashes in Trump’s party over the Iran war, what’s happening in Cuba, and a trend called the "alpine divorce". Read along with us! Iran War effects on dome…
Scam industries and skinny shots [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This week, Hanna and Amanda discuss the dystopian cyber scam industry that seems to have made its home in remote parts of southeast Asia. We also discuss the highly effective T2 diabetes and weight loss management drug s…
Anthropic sues the Pentagon, and Paramount buy Warner Brothers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This week, we're discussing a DIFFERENT kind of AI lawsuit with Anthropic taking on the Pentagon, and the movie studio merger which may swing the news right, and a very slight detour to talk about CEOs tasting their own…
U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran and other forms of monkey business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Hanna and Amanda talk about the only story that anyone could possibly talk about this week, plus a little bit of lighter news about primates. Read along with us: Pete Hegseth says Iranian regime is ‘toast’ as US expands…