Stephen Puschel, producer of Worldfocus.org
Note: Worldfocus, the new nightly, international news broadcast, launches Monday, October 6.
I started working on Worldfocus.org in May 2008, back when the working title was “Your World Now.” Fast-forward several months, many ideas, and a few name changes (not mine), and we have a balanced, informative and engaging news site that we’re really proud of.
More than anything else, I’m thrilled about the breadth of journalism that Worldfocus.org offers–from polished, diligent reporting, to off-the-cuff, on-the-ground observations. This combination is close to my heart because I think that two major factors determine the effectiveness of a news source: the trustworthiness of the content, and the content’s ability to represent diverse perspectives. The International Herald Tribune is a trustworthy news source that largely focuses on the “macro”–policy, diplomacy and conflict. Similarly, I know international bloggers who provide the “micro”–how large-scale trends affect individuals.
So what will make Worldfocus.org different? We’ll feature a vetted expert explaining Venezuelan foreign policy alongside a merchant in Caracas talking about how oil diplomacy affects him. By doing this, Worldfocus.org will offer not only a unique understanding and a human perspective to international news, but will report the news in a way that explains to American viewers how global events impact their lives.
I was shocked to not find the BBC news when I tuned in this evening. I enjoyed your debut broadcast but I would still like to have the British viewpoint that the BBC provides. I would appreciate it if you could also carry the BBC news as well as your Worldfocus program.
Dear Producer Puschel,
World Focus is worth watching. Why? I have traveled around the globe since the 1970’s and, this is one of the main reason I like to keep-up with the world news on World Focus! Indeed, BBC World News is a good program to watch. But I rather watch your program, which has an international staff and reporters from around the world to inform us about what’s taking place in our world-at-large.
Regarding the naming of the show! “World Focus” is the right title for this news show!
Do let me wish you and staff members on World Focus all my best good wishes and much success with the show! I do remain
Michael Matthews, Art, Artists and Events Promoter
Sorry to tell you,but World Focus is not a replacement for the BBC’s analysis , depth and variety of subjects. Wold Focus is ’simpatico’, gossipy and superficial. not for aBBC audience.
Also, I foud it surprising that this new program was announced several times before it started but no mention was made that it was to be instead of the BBC. Not nice.
His smile may be nice but hiding this information was not.
I just watched – Oct 31st issue – piece about Latin- Americans leaving the USA for a better life.
Shame, shame nothing but shame.
Four mexicans are interviewed wanting to go back to mexico.
Are those representing the “whole” of Latin America?
When you are going to learn that Latin America it is not Mexico?
Worldfocus doesnot deserve to be part of PBS serious news event.
Programs like those we get from Bill Moyers, Jim Lehrer… should be ashame for sharing the airwaves with worldfocus.
I enjoy World Focus in many ways, but it is not as good as the BBC. It is too pro-Israeli, and gives fairly short shrift to any anti-Israeli views. The inclustion of Deutsche Welle is a very nice factor thoough. The American public needs to be exposed to other than that drivel from the likes of CNN, a network that is blatently pro-Israeli, with a staff comprised of mostly jews, blacks, hispanics, women, buit, few white men. The last mentioned group being the backbone of the econimical structure that makes programs possible. Variety is wonderful if it is truly varied, let’s hear more on what’s going on all around the world.
I am disappointed that you have chosen to cancel and cease showing the best news program on the air .
Can’t you tell how fine and what a high quality of reportage it demonstrated to all of us…….?
or are you just mesmorized by the cheap, flashy, superficial reportage of all the miserable things humans do to each other. Do you really feel that we have to cover all the gore fastidiously , so that we will always be cynnical —- like maybe you are? .
World Focus was more than just a bunch of brutal events thrown out willy- nilly.
. It held a bold and positive vision of the world as well, and communicated a hope and belief in the ability of people to progress and to support one another . Still, there was always plenty of news happenings presented so that we could follow the important events every day . What’s wrong with that????.
Shame on you for turning your backs on quality and depth. Are we now going to get back some more of those academic BBC fabrications again?
Please bring back WORLD FOCUS and give us a break!!! I will never forget the african kids with their green lap-tops and the looks on their faces knowing that they could learn and grow and even have FUN for once. THat is NEWS, TOO —NO???????
mimi stern-wolfe
artistic director
http://www.downtowmusicproductions.org