The Listening Post

Secrets and hacks: Russia’s role in the US election

A look at how reporting Russia’s role in the US election has turned political; plus, the Indian PM’s monthly radio show.

On The Listening Post this week: While the world awaits President Donald Trump’s inauguration, reporting Russia’s role in the US election has turned political. Plus, the Indian PM’s monthly radio show.

Reporting Russia’s role in the US election

Just over a month since the US elections, media there are seeking closure on the question of Russia’s role in Donald Trump’s victory. But with layers of secrecy between intelligence agencies and politicians, and between journalists and anonymous sources, how are US citizens able to get the full picture?

Talking us through the story are: Marcy Wheeler, Independent journalist; Greg Miller, Washington Post reporter; Ben Norton, journalist and writer; and Kevin Ryan, director, Defense and Intelligence Project, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.

On our radar:

  • As government and Russian forces close in on the last rebel-held areas in the Syrian city of Aleppo, trapped journalists and civilians are sending out what could be their last messages.
  • Five years after the phone-hacking scandal derailed Rupert Murdoch’s bid to take full control of Britain’s biggest broadcaster, Sky, the media mogul has decided the time is right to get that deal back on track.
  • In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte had already made his dislike for those involved in the country’s drug trade abundantly clear – but now, those reporting on his anti-drug campaign are also in his sights.

The Indian prime minister’s radio show

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly “Mann ki Baat”, or “Thoughts from My Heart”, radio broadcast is the first time an Indian prime minister has chosen to speak to the nation on a recurring basis in this way.

Talking us through the story are: Madhuker Upadhyay, consultant, All India Radio; Mark Tully, former New Delhi Bureau chief, BBC India; Shuma Raha, consulting editor, The Hoot; and Kingshuk Nag, Hyderabad resident editor, Times of India.