VICE News Reports

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Latest Episodes:

Still in Search of a Black Utopia Feb 23, 2023

Show notes

A couple years ago, executive producer Adizah Eghan noticed an interesting trend on social media: everyone seemed to be living it up in Tulum, Mexico. Some were flocking there to have a good time, while others were seeking something much deeper; they wanted to escape racism and seek refuge with like-minded people. Adizah traveled to Mexico to experience the vibes of Tulum for herself — and also dig into why Black people are seeking refuge in a small fishing town south of Cancún.

This story was produced by Adizah Eghan, with editorial support from Kate Osborn, James T. Green, Annie Avilés and Stephanie Kariuki.

VICE News Reports is produced by Sam Eagan, Sophie Kazis, Adreanna Rodriguez, Adriana Tapia and Sheena Ozaki. Our senior producers are Jesse Alejandro Cottrell, Janice Llamoca and Julia Nutter. Our supervising producer is Ashley Cleek. Our associate producer is Steph Brown. Sound design and music composition by Steve Bone, Pran Bandi, and Kyle Murdock. Our Executive Producers are Adizah Eghan and Stephanie Kariuki. For VICE Audio, Annie Avilés is our Executive Editor and Janet Lee is our Senior Production Manager. Fact Checking by Nicole Pasulka. Our theme music is by Steve Bone. Our host is Arielle Duhaime-Ross. Charles Raggio is the head of VICE Audio.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joshimath Is Cracking Feb 16, 2023

Show notes

In early January, the holy Himalayan town of Joshimath, India woke up to grinding noises of homes cracking apart as the land sank further into the ground. Earthquakes and cracks on walls are common in the region, but this was different. In this week's episode of VICE News Reports, reporter Pallavi Pundir explains the disaster in Joshimath and how the town has come to symbolize a deeper struggle in India where tourism profits can take precedence over people.

Special thanks to photojournalist Vijay Pandey and the people of Joshimath and Chaein, who shared their stories.

This story was reported by Pallavi Pundir and produced by Adreanna Rodriguez and Sheena Ozaki. It was edited by Stephanie Kariuki.

VICE News Reports is produced by Sam Eagan, Sophie Kazis, Sheena Ozaki, Adreanna Rodriguez and Adriana Tapia. Our senior producers are Jesse Alejandro Cottrell, Janice Llamoca and Julia Nutter. Our supervising producer is Ashley Cleek. Our associate producer is Steph Brown. Sound design and music composition by Steve Bone, Pran Bandi, and Kyle Murdock. Annie Aviles is our Executive Editor and Janet Lee is Senior Production Manager for VICE Audio. Fact Checking by Nicole Pasulka. Our theme music is by Steve Bone. Our host is Arielle Duhaime-Ross. Charles Raggio is the head of VICE Audio.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can AI Make Us Feel Better? Feb 09, 2023

Show notes

Last month, a therapy app called Koko came under fire on social media after it revealed it had done an experiment using AI. Specifically, the AI text generator Chat GPT, which has become widely popular this winter. The controversy opened up a discussion on the role of AI tools in mental health — what can they do? And should they? On this episode, VICE Motherboard reporter Chloe Xiang guides us through these questions.

This story was produced by Adriana Tapia and edited by Stephanie Kariuki. Reporting by Chloe Xiang and Adriana Tapia.

VICE News Reports is produced by Sam Eagan, Sophie Kazis, Adreanna Rodriguez and Adriana Tapia. Our senior producers are Jesse Alejandro Cottrell, Janice Llamoca and Julia Nutter. Our supervising producer is Ashley Cleek. Our associate producer is Steph Brown. Sound design and music composition by Steve Bone, Pran Bandi, and Kyle Murdock. Annie Aviles is our Executive Editor and Janet Lee is Senior Production Manager for VICE Audio. Fact Checking by Nicole Pasulka. Our theme music is by Steve Bone. Our host is Arielle Duhaime-Ross. Charles Raggio is the head of VICE Audio.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind The Anti-Semite Advising Kanye's Campaign Feb 02, 2023

Show notes

When Kanye West, now known as “Ye,” engaged in a series of anti-semitic tirades last year, one person showed up next to him; an influencer named Nick Fuentes. On this episode, VICE News Senior Reporter Tess Owen explains how Fuentes is weaponizing Ye’s platform to drive his most racist, anti-semitic beliefs into the mainstream.

This story was produced by Sam Eagan and edited by Stephanie Kariuki and Sophie Kazis.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why DRC’s Rebel Group M23 is Back Jan 26, 2023

Show notes

The rebel group M23 has resumed fighting in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo after nearly a decade of laying dormant. M23 has overrun army military bases, looted weapons, captured large territories north of the city of Goma while leaving hundreds dead and thousands displaced from their homes. Now, the president is asking everyday civilians to join the fight. VICE News’ Evelyn Kahungu travels to the DRC to meet a civilian picking up arms and reports from the frontlines of M23’s resurgence.

Special thanks to our translator Aquelina Mawadza with Bayville Languages, VICE News Nairobi Bureau Chief Julia Steers, and our production crew Adolphe Basengezi and Srdjan Stojiljkovic.

This story was produced by Stephanie Brown and edited by Stephanie Kariuki.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Havana Syndrome: A New Podcast from VICE Jan 19, 2023

Show notes

Today we are sharing an episode from one of our newest series – Havana Syndrome. In 2016, a mysterious, debilitating illness begins to afflict American diplomats and spies working abroad – first in Cuba, and then around the world. Victims report crippling neurological symptoms. Some describe the feeling of being hit by an invisible, directed pressure while they were stationed on government property, or sometimes standing in their own homes or hotel rooms. Is this bizarre illness the result of a weapon? Is it mass psychosis? Or something else entirely?

Award-winning journalists Jon Lee Anderson and Adam Entous take listeners to the heart of this saga in Havana Syndrome, a new podcast from VICE World News. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Havana Syndrome is hosted and reported by Jon Lee Anderson and Adam Entous, and produced and reported by Julia Nutter, Jesse Alejandro Cotrell and Ramon Campos Iriarte. Edited and executive produced by Annie Aviles and Kate Osborn. Original composition and sound design by Steve Bone. Production support from Pran Bandi.

Janet Lee is Senior Production Manager for VICE Audio. Fact Checking by Nicole Pasulka. Charles Raggio is the head of VICE Audio.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Realities of a Post-Roe America Jan 12, 2023

Show notes

When Roe was overturned in the summer of 2022, at least 13 states had laws put in place that were meant to be triggered by the fall of Roe and ban abortion in all but the most extreme cases. But what happened to the people who qualified for these abortion exceptions? Today, VICE reporter Carter Sherman dissects the impacts these trigger laws had on states, abortion providers and those who were unable to receive immediate care.

Special thanks to Leah Feiger and Michael Learmonth.

This story was reported by Carter Sherman and produced by Adreanna Rodriguez and edited by Stephanie Kariuki.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The End of Pain Jan 05, 2023

Show notes

For over 30 years, Danny Elliot suffered from severe chronic pain, the aftermath of nearly getting electrocuted to death in a home accident. The only thing that eased his pain was the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl, which was prescribed to him by a doctor.

But in recent years, it had become almost impossible for Danny to obtain fentanyl—even with a prescription. With illicit fentanyl made by Mexican cartels causing thousands of overdose deaths, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has been cracking down on all sources of supply—including doctors suspected of operating illegally and over-prescribing. A week after the DEA’s visit to Danny’s third doctor in four years, he killed himself. His wife of 25 years, Gretchen Elliott, also took her own life at the same time.

VICE News correspondent Keegan Hamilton first spoke to Danny two years ago for an episode of the podcast series “PAINKILLER: America’s Fentanyl Crisis”. This week, he went to Danny’s funeral and talked with friends and family who told a story of a tragedy that was as predictable as it was avoidable.

This story was reported and produced by Keegan Hamilton and Jesse Alejandro Cottrell. It was edited by Stephanie Kariuki and Annie Aviles.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Crypto-Utopia Unravels Dec 29, 2022

Show notes

Last year, Motherboard Reporter Edward Ongweso Jr. spoke with Arielle Duhaime-Ross about Cryptoland: the moonshot project trying to turn a private Fijan island into a crypto-utopia and the world’s first crypto-society. With the rise, and fall, of crypto billionaires there is seemingly always this question of what is next in the crypto-space? So, this week we are revisiting our episode about the latest on the grand promises made by Cryptoland.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Shein Used Big Tech to Change the Way We Shop Dec 22, 2022

Show notes

Earlier this year, Arielle Duhaime-Ross spoke with reporters Louise Matsakis and Meaghan Tobin, who investigated Shein for the online magazine Rest of World. Matsakis and Tobin explored how Shein is reinventing fast fashion—and transforming a generation’s consumption habits in the process. Ahead of the holidays, we revisit this conversation to examine the human impact behind one of the world’s most popular online shopping destinations.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.