New Segments, New Voices

So... piloting week... what is it? Three? It's becoming a blur. Actually, we like piloting. I might even say we love it. (Kind of like the way we like doing push-ups -- you're so happy when it's over and you're on your way to becoming buff... no, really.) We like it because it's a way to experiment with what we call our "signature" segments, the segments we think give us our distinct flavor. So far, you've heard a few of them: Mocha Moms, Dispatches, the Barbershop. Your response to these has been outstanding, even when critical.

So we want to introduce you to both a new segment and a new person here on
Rough Cuts, our "International Anchor Buddy." We love all of our NPR correspondents serving overseas and we want you to hear from them as much as possible. But we also like hearing stories from the "inside out," from people who not only cover the story but also live it in some way.

And one of the wonders of radio is that for a bit more than the cost of a phone call, we can bring you those people. For anchor buddies we are looking at "me's" elsewhere (scary thought?): radio and TV hosts, bloggers and others who give you the scoop on what's going on in their world.

Earlier, I checked in with Bassie Montewa of Bush Radio in Cape Town, South Africa, where he hosts the daily radio call-in program "Back Chat." Bush Radio is respected as one of the oldest, if not the oldest, community radio stations on the continent. It's commonly referred to as the "Mother of Community Radio in Africa."

Bassie talked to us about preparations for the 47th anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre and a sneak peak at his radio show's line-up for the anniversary. He also dished on his career in radio and the format of his program. Take a listen and let us know what you think. It would be great if you'd share with us names of radio and TV hosts elsewhere in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean whom you would like to hear on our air, too, as part of our regular rotation. Shoot us a line.

In last week's post, we mentioned the fourth anniversary of the Iraq war. In all of the non-stop war coverage, two voices you may not have heard from belong to Nancy Trejos and James Blue, two Iraq war correspondents. Nancy recently returned from Iraq as a reporter for the Washington Post. James, formerly of ABC News, is a producer with the Koppel Group at Discovery. They join us to talk about their coverage but also whether being a reporter of color makes a difference.

I think it's worth nothing that 54 journalists have been killed in this conflict. Do you find yourself wondering why they go? Let us know.

And finally, another new segment we'd like you to hear:

"The Next Big Thing." This week we take a look at personal DNA tests. Huh? No, this isn't a "Baby Daddy Drama." Geneticist Dr. Rick Kittles -- who, it has to be said, owns a testing company -- talks to us about why people pursue these tests. And we found a family story that we had to share. You'll have to listen to get all the details, but I will "spill" this much: a black woman from Harlem, N.Y., and a white man from Poplar Bluff, Mo. What's the unique connection?

Which brings me to ask: Have you ever discovered a long, lost relative? What was that like? Would you ever consider submitting DNA to learn your family roots? Please do let us know!

Let the blogging begin... and the piloting continues.

Michel Martin

2:20 PM ET | 03-26-2007 | permalink