The episode takes a look at how the US is portrayed in the world media, and how it's often misrepresented. Featured segment investigates why English Al-Jazeera is unavailable in most of the US. Featured interview with the creator of "BCC World News America" Rome Hartman.

The episode explores journalistic ethics and when it is or isn't okay to "cross the line" in pursuit of a story. Featured is the story of Muntadhar al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist who threw a shoe at President Bush during a press conference. Featured interview with columnist Randy Cohen.

The episode covers a variety of topics, including questioning the media's agendas in political and business news coverage, the debate over clean coal and how two competing publicity campaigns obfuscate the issue, as well as a look at why we will continue to need coal for years to come. Activist Alex Jones is featured as a "below-the-radar" anti-government media voice.

The episode focuses on the plight of the media in today's current economic state. Case studies compare former media insiders' perspectives as well as show who's hurting and benefiting from the digital shift. A mini-feature piece chronicles the death of the Rocky Mountain News as told from the point of view of its editor and publisher, John Temple.

The episode chronicles four journalists inside the White House Press Corps under Obama's administration, and interweaves a look on how Barack Obama relates to media and how certain elements have affected government transparency in the media through time.