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Gaza
Israel
Democratic Party
Palestine
Media Coverage
United States
New York Times
Iran
Biden Administration
Elon Musk
Kamala Harris
ICE
Palestinian Rights
Fentanyl
Media Narratives
Hamas
Social Justice
Artificial Intelligence
Israeli Military
Police Reform

Citations Needed is a podcast about the intersection of media, PR, and power, hosted by Nima Shirazi and Adam Johnson.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes381Founded9 years ago
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NewsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Citations Needed

Latest Episodes

In this News Brief, we are joined by Kaleem Hawa to discuss David K Kirkpatrick's 10,000 word PR job that feigns criticism of Biden officials, but ultimately serves to distance them from the horrors of Gaza.

In this News Brief, we dissect the Orwellian phrase "right to exist," why it only applies to Israel, what purpose it serves, and why Palestinians are never said to have such a right.

In this episode, we discuss the ideological work done by our media's default frame of immigrants, poor seniors, homeless people, and those with disabilities as "burdens" and "strains" on our limited resources––namely those provided by the holy Taxpay... more

In this news brief, we catch up with Dylan Gyauch-Lewis, senior researcher at the Revolving Door Project, to discuss Abundance's PR problems, why this latest neoliberalism rebrand isn't catching on and how Silicon Valley billionaires still see 'Abund... more

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Recent Guests

Kaleem Hawa
Writer and organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement
Palestinian Youth Movement
Episode: News Brief: Very Serious New Yorker Article Launders Biden Officials' Responsibility for Gaza Genocide
Dylan Gyauch-Lewis
Senior Researcher at the Revolving Door Project
Revolving Door Project
Episode: News Brief: Despite 9-Figure Infusion from Silicon Valley, Abundance Still Seeks Popular Support
Emmaia Gelman
Founding director of the Institute for the Critical Study of Zionism
Institute for the Critical Study of Zionism
Episode: News Brief: The ADL's Bogus Origin Story and Its Rise as Ideological Enforcer for Empire and Israel
Luke Savage
Politics and culture writer; co-host of Michael and Us; author
Or Books / ECW Press
Episode: Episode 239: The Vague, Capital-Serving Co-Optation of "Affordability" Politics
Chris Mills Rodrigo
Organizer for Writers Against The War On Gaza
Writers Against The War On Gaza
Episode: News Brief: The Call to Boycott—and Delegitimize—the New York Times
Mustafa Bayoumi
Award-winning author, journalist, professor of English at Brooklyn College; opinion columnist for The Guardian
Brooklyn College; The Guardian
Episode: Episode 238: The Fictional, Racist, Paranoia-Sowing "Sleeper Cell" Media Construction
Adam Johnson
Author of How to Sell a Genocide, The Media's Complicity in the Destruction of Gaza
Pluto Press
Episode: Live Show: 'How to Sell a Genocide' Book Talk at The Word Is Change Bookstore in Brooklyn, NY
Miranda Banks
Professor of Film, Television, and Media Studies at Loyola Marymount University; author
Loyola Marymount University
Episode: News Brief: "Peak TV," Streamer Studio Accounting Gimmicks, and the Precarity of Hollywood Labor
Kate Fortmueller
Associate professor of film and media history at Georgia State University; author
Georgia State University
Episode: News Brief: "Peak TV," Streamer Studio Accounting Gimmicks, and the Precarity of Hollywood Labor

Hosts

Nima Shirazi
Co-host and editor focusing on media critique and political analysis.
Adam Johnson
Co-host and analyst focusing on media, war, and policy framing.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 7.1k ratings
  • All time faves

    Consistently high standards for investigation

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GoofyGhoul7
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • I’m better informed from listening.

    I can’t stress how much I love this podcast. These guys bring the receipts every episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DukeM\\\3
    United States2 months ago
  • Sets the standard for media critique and analysis. Only gripe I've ever had are the hosts getting families and not pouring their lives endlessly into more content :')

    Podcast Addict
    5
    kenfinite
    4 months ago
  • Unequivocal Analysis of the Media’s role in propaganda

    This is by far my favorite podcast. Adam and Nima pull back the curtain on the nefarious ways in which the media has made our lives worse and how they carry water for the government and other bad actors. they are a little slow to put out new episodes but everything is so well researched and put together I understand. when they do they are always bangers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    derekrules31
    United States5 months ago
  • Great stuff, but…

    Great show! Top-notch, meaningful analysis!

    But, by God, I dare you to go one episode without saying “pearl-clutching” or “hand-wringing”.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Forten88
    Colombia6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Episodes are sometimes dense but highly cited and informative.
Patreon supporters highlight consistent quality and compelling analysis.
Guests are consistently high-caliber and well-prepared, adding credibility.
Listeners value the rigorous sourcing and clear debunking of propaganda.
The show is praised for honesty and thorough historical context, though some wish for more resources or links to sources.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#99
Philippines/News
Apple Podcasts
#201
Indonesia/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

News Brief: The Call to Boycott—and Delegitimize—the New York Times
Q: What can readers and listeners do to respond to the Times' reporting on Palestine?
Readers are encouraged to boycott the Times, unsubscribe, and avoid contributing to the opinion section, while supporting alternative independent and local outlets and engaging in a broader writer and cultural boycott to press for reform.
News Brief: How the Right Invented — and Exploited — the "Liberal Media" Trope
Q: Can you discuss the rise of the organization Accuracy in Media, and how they were seminal in establishing and sustaining this idea of liberal bias, and then how the media responded to it?
The guest explains that Accuracy in Media helped codify liberal bias by producing documented examples, filing formal complaints, and collaborating with bodies like the National News Council to pressure outlets toward 'balanced' coverage, a process that both legitimated criticism and pressured journalists to reflect on their practices, setting a pattern that influenced how media criticism operated through the 1960s and beyond.
Ep 236: Manufactured Austerity and the Media Assisted 'Public-Private Partnership' Rip-Off
Q: What is the core mechanism by which public-private partnerships privatize profits and socialize risk?
P3s lock in long-term contracts that ensure revenue streams for private investors while exposing taxpayers to long-term liabilities and reduced public control, making profits private and risks public.
News Brief: As Dem Leadership Waffles—Labor, Organizers, Immigrants Fight Back in Minneapolis
Q: What is the significance of the upcoming shutdown?
The shutdown is seen as a grassroots effort to challenge the federal government's actions and demand real change, potentially growing into a larger movement.
News Brief: As Dem Leadership Waffles—Labor, Organizers, Immigrants Fight Back in Minneapolis
Q: What are the demands of the coalition regarding ICE?
The coalition demands ICE must leave Minnesota, accountability for the officer who killed Renee Nicole Good, no additional federal funding for ICE, and that businesses refuse ICE entry.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Citations Needed

What is Citations Needed about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Citations Needed is a sharp, data-driven critique of media coverage, power, and public policy. Across episodes, the hosts unpack how journalism and political rhetoric shape public opinion, with frequent guests ranging from scholars and journalists to labor organizers and policy experts. The show stands out for its rigorous use of sources, willingness to challenge mainstream narratives, and a focus on how media, propaganda, and state power intersect with issues like imperialism, war, labor rights, and higher education. Potential listeners who crave tight, evidence-based media analysis and discussions with academically-informed guests will likely find this program especially compelling, even when opinions diverge.

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Which podcasts are similar to Citations Needed?

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1. Chapo Trap House
2. Trillbilly Worker's Party
3. TRUE ANON TRUTH FEED
4. American Prestige
5. Turbulence

How many episodes of Citations Needed are there?

Citations Needed launched 9 years ago and published 381 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Citations Needed?

Recent guests on Citations Needed include:

1. Kaleem Hawa
2. Dylan Gyauch-Lewis
3. Emmaia Gelman
4. Luke Savage
5. Chris Mills Rodrigo
6. Mustafa Bayoumi
7. Adam Johnson
8. Miranda Banks

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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