EPISODE · Sep 20, 2014 · 13 MIN
Shane Smith
from Profile · host BBC Radio 4
How did Shane Smith - a hard-partying, tattooed former Ottawa punk rocker - turn a community magazine into an international multi-media empire?Mark Coles looks at the life of one of the founders of Vice, a man whose motto is: "We like our stories to punch you in the face."His company is the fast-growing enfant terrible of digital media. Renowned for its often controversial reports aimed at a young audience disillusioned with mainstream media, it seems that no subject is taboo. Scoops include an interview with a former Liberian warlord and cannibal, as well as a trip to North Korea with former basketball player Dennis Rodman to meet Kim Jong-un. Among Vice's often controversial documentaries from war zones was this summer's eye-opening report from inside the Islamic State. Vice may have been accused of 'daredevil' journalism but that hasn't stopped the likes of Rupert Murdoch heralding Vice a "global success" and buying a 5% stake in the company. Could Vice become the next CNN, as Shane Smith hopes?Presenter: Mark Coles Producer: Ben Crighton.
What this episode covers
How did Shane Smith - a hard-partying, tattooed former Ottawa punk rocker - turn a community magazine into an international multi-media empire?Mark Coles looks at the life of one of the founders of Vice, a man whose motto is: "We like our stories to punch you in the face."His company is the fast-growing enfant terrible of digital media. Renowned for its often controversial reports aimed at a young audience disillusioned with mainstream media, it seems that no subject is taboo. Scoops include an interview with a former Liberian warlord and cannibal, as well as a trip to North Korea with former basketball player Dennis Rodman to meet Kim Jong-un. Among Vice's often controversial documentaries from war zones was this summer's eye-opening report from inside the Islamic State. Vice may have been accused of 'daredevil' journalism but that hasn't stopped the likes of Rupert Murdoch heralding Vice a "global success" and buying a 5% stake in the company. Could Vice become the next CNN, as Shane Smith hopes?Presenter: Mark Coles Producer: Ben Crighton.
NOW PLAYING
Shane Smith
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Jun 18, 2026 ·49m
Jun 17, 2026 ·49m
Jun 16, 2026 ·21m
Jun 16, 2026 ·50m
Jun 11, 2026 ·48m
Jun 10, 2026 ·46m