Vice News Tonight Season 4 Episode 96 June 19, 2019

On June 19, 2019, Vice News Tonight season 4 episode 96 covers a range of topics from climate change to political protests to advances in technology. The episode starts with a piece on how climate change is affecting agriculture in the Midwest region of the United States. In particular, the report focuses on farmers and their struggle to adapt to changing weather patterns that impact planting and harvesting cycles. The segment highlights how these challenges are amplified by the current trade war with China and the uncertainty it creates for the economic future of many farming communities.

Next, the show highlights the ongoing protests in Hong Kong against a controversial extradition bill that would allow citizens to be sent to mainland China for trial. The segment includes interviews with protesters and offers an on-the-ground perspective of the massive demonstrations taking place in the city. The episode also looks at the broader implications of the protests for Hong Kong's future and its relationship with mainland China.

The episode then pivots to technology with a segment on a new software program that claims to be able to detect deepfake videos. The report examines the increasing prevalence of deepfake videos and their potential dangers in spreading misinformation. The new program seeks to address this challenge by using artificial intelligence to analyze visual and audio cues to identify modified content. The segment includes interviews with the software developers and explores the possibility of such technology being integrated into social media platforms.

Another piece in the episode looks at the political controversy surrounding the 2020 US census and the inclusion of a citizenship question. The segment delves into the debate over the question's potential impact on undercounting certain communities and raises questions about the motivations behind its inclusion. The report includes interviews with experts in the field as well as advocates for immigrant communities who worry about the consequences of the census for their representation in government and access to resources.

Finally, the episode finishes with a report on the potential health impacts of space travel. With NASA planning to send humans back to the moon and eventually to Mars, the segment looks at the physical and psychological challenges of prolonged space missions. It includes interviews with astronauts who have spent extended periods of time in space and discusses the implications of low gravity, radiation exposure, and the mental strains of isolation. The piece touches on the potential benefits of space exploration but also raises important questions about the risks and limitations of such missions.

Overall, Vice News Tonight season 4 episode 96 offers a diverse range of stories that cover timely and important topics. From the impact of climate change on farming communities to the implications of political protests in Hong Kong, the episode offers a global perspective on current events. The technology segment on deepfakes and the census controversy highlight the ongoing challenges of digital advancements and political decision-making, while the report on space travel raises important questions about the future of humanity's exploration of the cosmos.