In the spring of 2001, an Iranian film-maker flew from Hong Kong to Buenos Aires for a film festival. Along the way, he needed to transfer through New York’s John F Kennedy airport. But as an Iranian, he needed a special transit visa to pass through the United States. He didn’t have the paperwork, and he didn’t speak enough English to explain. The federal agents detained him, and sent him back to Hong Kong in shackles. That story inspired the poet Mike Ladd and composer Vijay Iyer to begin a song cycle built around stories like that filmmaker’s. Produced by Jocelyn Gonzales.
Without federal support, local stations, especially in rural and underserved areas, face deep cuts or even closure. Vital public service alerts, news, storytelling, and programming like The World will be impacted. The World has weathered many storms, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to being your trusted source for human-centered international news, shared with integrity and care. We believe public media is about truth and access for all. As an independent, nonprofit newsroom, we aren’t controlled by billionaire owners or corporations. We are sustained by listeners like you.
Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World.