Show for Apr 1, 2012. The Authoritative John Hodgman.
I thought this might turn into an entirely risible April Fool’s interview with John Hodgman’s mock-pundit character, but after some japery, the conversation got sorta serious. John may lampoon the whole notion of expertise and authority in his TV appearances and books, but his thoughts on the subject run deep. We talked about his days studying literary theory at Yale, the real-life model for his professorial persona, truth vs. artistic license and his up close and personal view of the Mike Daisey/This American Life debacle. John also made a passionate statement about paying for the things you love—quite timely, since this show aired during KUSP’s Spring Pledge Drive. Last I checked, the station was still short of its fundraising goal, so if you love public radio, or just like it, please consider paying for it.
Click the Play arrow above to listen to the show, or you can download the MP3 here (if using a Mac, control-click the link and choose “Save Link As…” If using a PC, right-click and choose Save Target As…”)
Show for Nov. 13, 2011. Joe Sacco: Wide-Eyed In Gaza
Originally broadcast in Jan, 2010: an interview with the prodigious cartoon journalist Joe Sacco. We talked about his career covering conflicts in places like Bosnia and the Palestinian Territories, and his latest book, Footnotes in Gaza. In it, Sacco documents life in Gaza today and investigates an apparent massacre of Palestinians in 1956, when Israel was at war with Egypt.
You can download the MP3 here (if using a Mac, control-click the link and choose “Save Link As…” If using a PC, right-click and choose Save Target As…”)
Show for May 29, 2011. Brooke Gladstone and The Influencing Machine
Yes, there’s a lot to loathe in today’s often sloppy, tawdry, woefully compromised news coverage, but who’s to blame? Brooke Gladstone has been keeping tabs on the media for the past decade and a half, first as NPR’s media reporter and now as co-host of WNYC’s On The Media. Her new illustrated history book traces the evolution of modern journalism, its failings and achievements and society’s role therein.
Click the “play” arrow above to listen to the interview, or download the MP3 here.
The Influencing Machine: Brooke Gladstone on the Media from WW Norton on Vimeo.
Show for Oct. 31, 2010: Journalistic Ethics In Focus
NPR recently fired news analyst Juan Williams after his controversial comments about Muslims on Fox News’ O’ Reilly Factor. The sturm und drang that followed cast the incident as a political clash—pitting right-wing Fox against lefty NPR, and straight-talking Williams against the forces of political correctness. But NPR says the matter comes down to principles of journalistic responsibility, which draw a hard line between reportage/analysis (appropriate for newspeople) and editorializing (a no-no).
In this edition of the show, we examine journalistic ethics in light of the Williams affair, asking whether news organizations need to better enforce traditional rules or if it’s time to lighten up. Guests include Alicia Shepard, NPR ombudsman; Kevin Smith, ethics chair of the Society of Professional Journalists; Tom Goldstein, professor of journalism at U.C. Berkeley; James Rainey, On the Media columnist for the Los Angeles Times; and Judy Muller of USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
Click the “play” arrow above to listen, or download the MP3 here.
- Watch the O’ Reilly Factor segment in which Juan Williams made his remarks. (Shorter videos are available on YouTube, but this longer one on the Fox News site provides more context.) Williams fires back at NPR after his dismissal.
- Read the NPR ethics code.
- Read the Society of Professional Journalists code of ethics.
Show for Jan 17, 2010. Cartoon Journalist Joe Sacco
Over the last two decades, Joe Sacco has helped invent a new genre: comic-book journalism. He’s reported from Sarajevo during the Bosnian War and from the Palestinian Territories during the two Intifadas. His latest book is “Footnotes in Gaza.” He talks about his career, his experiences in the Palestinian Territories and the roots of conflict in Gaza.
