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Profile: Shane Smith

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20/09/2014

Shane Smith

BBC Radio 4 - Profile, Shane Smith

Mark Coles profiles Shane Smith, Ottawa punk rocker-turned-media mogul.

How did Shane Smith, a hard-partying, tattooed former Ottawa punk rocker, turn a community magazine into an international multimedia empire? Mark Coles finds out.

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.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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