Website review
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What is Between The Lines?
Between The Lines (BTL) is a weekly public-affairs radio newsmagazine produced by Squeaky Wheel Productions, offering progressive analysis of news and politics. Per the site, it has been on the air since 1991 and describes itself as “timely, in-depth, progressive analysis.” A typical episode mixes interviews with academics, journalists and activists, plus an under-reported news summary — for example, a Sept. 30, 2026 show featured media-policy professor Victor Pickard on press freedom, Dr. Bandy Lee on presidential powers and mental stability, and Thomas Drake on NSA restructuring, alongside Bob Nixon’s news roundup.
Its structure serves two audiences at once:
- Listeners get a weekly program plus an audio archive of current and previous years, available as podcasts and RSS.
- Stations and affiliates get broadcast schedules for U.S., satellite/radio networks and international outlets, plus broadcast-quality MP3 details.
It also publishes web features and special reports, maintains a progressive-resources section, and invites volunteers and donations. A 35th-anniversary event with keynote speaker Chris Hedges was listed for Oct. 17, 2026, in New Haven, Connecticut.
Next step: if you want to sample it, start with the most recent full show or the current-year audio archive; if you run a station, check the affiliate and broadcast-quality MP3 information first. Related independent outlets include Democracy Now! and Truthout.
How can I listen to Between The Lines radio program?
You can listen to Between The Lines (BTL) through its own website, which is the primary hub for the program. The site offers a current-year audio archive, previous years' archives, and podcast/RSS subscription options, so you can either stream recent episodes on demand or subscribe to get new ones automatically.
Ways to listen
- On the website: Use the "Recent Programs" and "Current Year Audio Archive" sections to stream the latest weekly show or individual segments.
- Past episodes: The "Previous Years' Audio Archives" let you browse older broadcasts if you want to follow a topic over time.
- Podcast/RSS: The site provides a podcast subscription and RSS feed, which is the most convenient option if you use a podcast app and want episodes delivered automatically.
- Broadcast radio: BTL is a weekly public affairs radio program with U.S., satellite/radio network, and international broadcast schedules listed on the site. Check the schedule pages for a station and time near you.
- For stations/affiliates: There is a separate section with broadcast-quality MP3 information for affiliates, which is aimed at radio stations rather than general listeners.
Practical next step
If you want a specific episode, start with the current-year archive; if you want ongoing access, subscribe via the podcast or email list. If you prefer live radio, use the broadcast schedule to find a local station, since availability varies by region.
What kind of topics does Between The Lines cover?
Between The Lines covers progressive public-affairs journalism, with a strong focus on politics, media criticism, civil liberties and under-reported news. Its weekly radio newsmagazine format combines interviews, analysis and news summaries rather than straight headlines.
Its topics cluster around a few recurring areas:
- Media and democracy: Attacks on press freedom, media policy and the political economy of journalism.
- Civil liberties and the Constitution: First Amendment issues, executive power and surveillance.
- U.S. politics and the Trump era: White House actions, elections and institutional threats.
- National security and reform: NSA restructuring, intelligence oversight and related debates.
- Under-reported news: A weekly summary of stories it argues get too little mainstream attention.
For a listener trying to decide whether it fits, the practical test is whether you want long-form, explicitly progressive analysis of media and power rather than neutral daily news. A useful next step is to browse its recent programs and special reports at Between The Lines.
How can I support Between The Lines?
Between The Lines (BTL) is a weekly progressive radio newsmagazine that has been running since 1991, and it leans on listener support rather than advertising. The main ways to help are donating, subscribing to its podcast or email list, and volunteering.
Ways to support BTL
- Donate. The site runs prominent "Please Donate Now" and "Support BTL" appeals, which is the most direct way to fund the program.
- Subscribe to the podcast or email list. Subscribing keeps you connected and helps sustain an audience the show can point to.
- Volunteer. BTL lists a Volunteer page, useful if you want to contribute time rather than money.
- Spread the word. Sharing episodes, especially the Web Features and Special Reports, extends the show's reach at no cost.
If you're deciding where to start
If you value the journalism and can give money, donate. If your budget is tight, subscribe to the podcast and email list, then share an episode you found useful. If you have time and relevant skills, look at the Volunteer page.
A practical next step: open Between The Lines and check the Donate and Volunteer links, then subscribe to the podcast so you catch each week's program.
Who are the hosts or producers of Between The Lines?
Between The Lines is produced by Squeaky Wheel Productions, the independent nonprofit that has put out the weekly radio newsmagazine since 1991. The site's own program notes credit Scott Harris as the interviewer conducting the weekly segments, and the recent episode list shows regular contributors including Victor Pickard, Dr. Bandy Lee, Thomas Drake and Bob Nixon — the last of whom is listed with the recurring "Under-reported News Summary." The page does not present a single on-air host; it reads more like a rotating cast of interviewers and correspondents built around Harris's interviews.
If you want to confirm who is behind a specific episode, open that week's program page and look at the interview credit line, which names both the guest and the person conducting the interview. For the organization itself, the About and History pages on Between The Lines are the place to check; the site also lists a volunteer and support page if you want to know who keeps the program running behind the scenes.
How can I find past episodes of Between The Lines?
Past episodes of Between The Lines are available through the program's own audio archive, organized by year. On Between The Lines, the main navigation includes a "Current Year Audio Archive" and "Previous Years' Audio Archives," plus a "Recent Programs" section for the latest full shows. This is the most direct route if you want the complete broadcast, including the full weekly newsmagazine rather than a single interview segment.
Ways to listen to older shows
- Current year: Use "Current Year Audio Archive" or "Recent Programs" for the latest weekly editions.
- Earlier years: Use "Previous Years' Audio Archives" to browse older broadcasts.
- Podcast feed: The site offers a "Subscribe to our Podcast" option, which is convenient if you want new episodes delivered automatically, though podcast feeds often expose only a limited back catalogue.
- Broadcast schedules: If you prefer radio, the site lists U.S., satellite/radio network, and international broadcast schedules.
A practical next step
If you already know the approximate date or the guest you want, start with the archive for that year and scan the program listings. If you are exploring without a specific date, begin with "Recent Programs," then work backward. For example, a listener researching media policy might look for the Sept. 30, 2026 edition featuring Victor Pickard, while someone following the program's history could browse earlier years to see how its coverage has evolved since 1991.
Trade-offs to keep in mind
The archive is strongest for full-program listening and for locating shows by date. A podcast subscription is better for convenience and automatic updates, but it may not include every historical episode. Radio broadcasts are useful if you want a scheduled listening habit, but they depend on your local station or network carrying the program.
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