Columbia News Tonight

First Person: Water-born to Journalist

Sasha Schwendenwein — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:23:35 +0000

Reporter, Producer: Sasha Schwendenwein

This is a personal story about my journey towards journalism. It was not very long ago, I had very different dreams and aspirations.

Muslim Fashion, Unveiled

Anam Siddiq — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:33:59 +0000

Reporter: Anam Siddiq
Producer: Anam Siddiq

Muslim women who wear the headscarf, or hijab, do so for many reasons: religious duty, political statement, spiritual symbol, or social obligation, to name a few. Since the point is largely to draw attention away from one’s physical appearance and toward the person within, issues like how bright colors should be and how form fitting to allow clothing is still debated. But Anam Siddiq thought she’d look into the rise of the Muslim fashion industry, and how it’s making its own unique Muslim-American fashion statement.

Hoda Kotb on Co-Hosting the Fourth Hour of ‘Today’

Jaclyn Kostek — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:04:07 +0000

Reporter: Jackie Kostek
Producer: Jackie Kostek

Hoda Kotb, a former local news anchor and “Dateline” correspondent, talks with Jackie Kostek about what it’s like to co-host the fourth hour of the “Today” show with Kathie Lee Gifford, and how the show uses social media to engage viewers.

Asian Beauty — Achieved Under the Knife

Xian Bu — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:55:31 +0000

Reporter: Xian Bu
Producer: Xian Bu
Cameras: Xian Bu, Tania Rashid, Linda Ong, Jaslee Carayol

More than 20 percent of Xian Bu’s female high school friends in Harbin, China have had plastic surgery since she graduated in 2006. Even more women choose it in other Asian cities like Seoul, Beijing and Shanghai. This triggered Bu’s interest in cosmetic procedures popular among young Asian women.

Michael Luongo on Challenges Faced by Freelance Travel Writers

Lars Vercelli — Sat, 05 May 2012 04:59:34 +0000

Reporter: Lars Vercelli
Producer: Lars Vercelli

Travel writer, photographer and editor Michael Luongo has visited more than 80 countries during his career and covered everything from resort destinations to the state of war-torn nations. Or, as he likes to say, everything from Bora Bora to Tora Bora.

Luongo has received multiple awards for his coverage of human rights and gay issues around the globe. Luongo shares with Lars Vercelli some learning experiences and challenges freelance travel journalists face.

Occupy Wall Street Relaunches on May Day

Erin Cauchi — Sat, 05 May 2012 04:13:40 +0000

Reporter: Erin Cauchi
Producer: Erin Cauchi

On May Day earlier this week, 15,000 people flooded the streets of Manhattan and marched from Union Square to Wall Street. It was the relaunch of O-W-S, what they’re calling their “Spring Awakening.” Erin Cauchi reports on where the movement is headed.

Living Wage Bill in New York City Causes Controversy

Leisha Majtan — Fri, 04 May 2012 23:38:59 +0000

Reporter: Morgan Radford
Producer: Leisha Majtan

New York is the most expensive American city to live in. To help New Yorkers make ends meet, the City Council has passed a living wage bill. But Mayor Bloomberg says he will veto it. Morgan Radford has the story.

U.S.- Sino Diplomatic Crisis: The Chen Guangcheng Case

Celeste Owen-Jones — Fri, 04 May 2012 22:27:38 +0000

Reporter: Céleste Owen-Jones
Producer: Céleste Owen-Jones

Today the first outlines of a solution appeared in the case of Chen Guangcheng, the Chinese dissident whose fate has been threatening U.S.- Sino relations. Céleste Owen-Jones reports.

CPJ’s Danny O’Brien on Threats the Digital World Poses to Journalists

Allison Gaito — Fri, 04 May 2012 22:11:10 +0000

Reporter: Allison Gaito
Producer: Allison Gaito

Hundreds of journalists and the sources they protect are threatened, attacked and jailed every year. The tools that allow reporters to file from some of the hottest conflict zones in the world are the very same ones that leave them most vulnerable. Danny O’Brien reports on technology and works as the Internet Advocacy Coordinator at the Committee to Project Journalists. Allison Gaito asked him about the digital threat to reporters.

Crime an Issue in Morningside and Riverside Parks

Annie Claire Bergeron-Oliver — Fri, 04 May 2012 22:07:19 +0000

Reporter: Ines Novacic
Producer: Annie Claire Bergeron-Oliver

In this week’s Morningside Report, a check on Upper West Side parks. Morningside and Riverside parks are supposed to be safe, but as Ines Novacic reports, you shouldn’t get lost in your headphones.