The news isn’t just in the hands of reporters anymore. Commentators and influencers cover the news too, and the lines between them get blurrier every day. So who even counts as a journalist today? For answers, Dom and Jenna sat down with Kelly McBride, senior vice president and chair of the Craig Newmark Center for Ethics and Leadership at the Poynter Institute. Kelly helps newsrooms navigate issues of trust, bias, and how to use generative AI responsibly. Kelly talks about how to spot real reporting, why it matters to know when something is opinion, and why newsrooms need to make that clear. She also gets into AI and the idea of a “human in the loop,” where a person checks and approves anything AI writes before it goes out. https://www.poynter.org/the-craig-newmark-center-for-ethics-and-leadership-at-poynter/ https://www.poynter.org/ai-ethics-journalism/ https://www.poynter.org/mediawise/ 00:00 - Show Intro 01:41 - Paul Saylor 04:47 - Kelly McBride Interview 16:49 - What Does Accountability Look Like? 20:29 - Story Choices 23:18 - Reporting v Opinion 31:10 - AI Code of Ethics 39:52 - Viral News v Quality News 51:11 - Why Did You Become a Journalist?
We’re back! 🎙️ Welcome to Season 3 of Laid Off and Looking with award-winning journalists Jenna Flanagan and Domenic Camia. In our season 3 opener, Jenna and Dom share how we spent our summer, the challenges of building an independent media business, and why this season is all about asking even harder questions: 📰 Journalists vs. Influencers – What happens when reporters are forced to compete for attention with content creators and digital personalities? 🤖 The Rise of AI in Newsrooms – Can artificial intelligence actually replace reporters, editors, or even TV broadcasters? And what do we lose when machines take over the human judgment and nuance at the heart of journalism? 💼 The Hustle of Independent Media – From freelancing to networking to the harsh realities of monetization, we explore what it really takes to keep journalism alive outside of traditional newsrooms. 🎬 Pop Culture Meets the News – Plus, a sneak peek at our new segment reviewing The Paper, Peacock’s newsroom sitcom from the creator of The Office. This season, we’ll be talking with industry veterans, media critics, and creators about how the future of journalism is being shaped in real time—by economics, technology, and the people brave enough to still call themselves reporters. 👉 New episodes every Friday. Subscribe on YouTube, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us: @LaidOffAndLookingPod 📧 Contact: LaidOffAndLookingPod@gmail.com
Jenna and Dom break down the backlash over Jake Tapper’s new book Original Sin, co-written with Axios’ Alex Thompson. It examines former President Joe Biden’s decline and if the press looked the other way. It’s pushed questions about trust in legacy media right back into the spotlight. Then they sit down with Shelby D. Smith, a journalist and digital creator making the news easier to follow on TikTok and Instagram. They get into where people are actually getting their news now and what that shift means for the future of journalism. This is Jenna and Dom’s last full episode of the season. They’ll be checking in now and then over the summer, but the new season kicks off after Memorial Day. Timecodes: Timecodes: Start - 00:00 Jake Tapper faces backlash over new book - 01:52 Jake Tapper’s 2020 CNN interview with Lara Trump - 10:57 The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart on Jake Tapper’s new book “Original Sin” - 17:52 Interview with Shelby D. Smith - 22:52 Shelby D Smith TikTok - 23:47 Shelby D Smith Interview - 24:52 Dom and Jenna Summer Break Announcement - 46:24 Links for this episode: Jake Tapper’s 2020 CNN interview with Lara Trump https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qD0WtSpfAc Jake Tapper Reveals Regret-Filled Call To Lara Trump After 2020 Clash https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jake-tapper-lara-trump-call_n_682d8398e4b0627160e7b38a The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart on Jake Tapper’s new book “Original Sin” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFeUo-nOxQU Shelby D Smith LinkTree https://linktr.ee/shelbydenise?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=7c2aa396-3466-4894-ba98-9ec970b55cba
The Knicks stunned the Celtics and Jenna’s still recovering, but the show must go on! This week, Jenna and Dom look at two viral interviews gone sideways- one with former NFL coach Bill Belichick, the other with White Lotus actor Walton Goggins and ask: where’s the line between fair game and off-limits? Then, they catch up with Ben Max, an expert on New York City politics and former executive editor of Gotham Gazette. After the outlet paused operations due to financial issues, Ben pivoted to New York Law School, where he now leads the Center for New York City and State Law. He shares insights on the decline of local journalism, the rise of social media influencers, and why accountability reporting still matters. They also talk about New York politics, civic engagement, and how Ben balances public programming with hosting his podcast, Max Politics. Timecodes: Start - 00:00 Knicks-Celtics recap and Jenna’s recovery - 02:05 Knicks Shoes throwback with Michael Rapaport - 06:24 Where’s the line between fair game and off-limits (Bill Belichick and Walton Goggins)? - 09:27 Interview: Ben Max on NYC politics and local news - 20:23 Challenges in Local Journalism - 26:37 The Role of Social Media in News - 30:22 Transition to New York Law School - 34:20 Balancing Journalism and Academia - 38:06 The Importance of Local Accountability - 41:47 Ben's Passion for Basketball and Journalism - 55:47 Links for this episode: CBS News Refutes Bill Belichick’s Claims About Awkward Interview Alongside Girlfriend Jordon Hudson https://people.com/cbs-news-refutes-bill-belichick-claims-awkward-interview-alongside-girlfriend-jordon-hudson-11725394 Walton Goggins: Aimee Lou Wood? I’m not gonna have that conversation https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/walton-goggins-white-lotus-interview-the-uninvited-m3dtdvjb7 Max Politics Podcast: https://soundcloud.com/gotham-gazette-max-murphy Ben Max Twitter (X): @TweetBenMax
The white smoke rose and suddenly... history. In this week’s episode, Jenna and Dom react in real time to the surprise announcement of the first American Pope, Leo XIV. They take you behind the scenes to show what it’s like when a breaking news story hits, from the control room to the anchor desk. Then in Part 2 of their chat with executive producer Patrick King, whose credits include The Daily Show, Last Week Tonight, and Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, they discuss what really goes into making satirical news shows. From fact-checking jokes to pushing creative boundaries, Patrick shares how late-night shows balance humor with journalistic rigor, and what makes a joke too far to air. Timecodes: Start - 00:00 Inside a breaking story - 02:40 Behind the scenes of a live newsroom - 04:25 Managing Breaking News as a Host - 13:05 Patrick King Part 2: Comedy’s Guardrails - 28:58 Who Gets the Final Say - 28:25 What Comes First: The News or the Joke - 33:17 Hiring Writers with Range - 34:53 Punching Up vs. Punching Down - 38:32 Why Right Wing Comedy Often Misses - 41:06 When Comedy Becomes the Most Trusted Source - 45:01 TikTok and the Future of News - 50:09
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner skipped the comedian this year, and the whole thing felt... weird. Jenna and Dom talk about what that choice says about the state of the press, whether the decision was more about playing it safe than celebrating free speech, and how a night meant to celebrate journalism ended up spotlighting its insecurities. Then in part one of our chat with executive producer Patrick King, whose credits include The Daily Show, Last Week Tonight, and Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, Jenna and Dom get into why comedy news shows might feel more trustworthy than traditional journalism. Timecodes: Start – 00:00 WHCD: Why no jokes? – 02:02 Patrick King on comedy vs. journalism – 14:14 How to Make a Comedy Show - 22:50 How Trump Changed the Late Night Game - 27:19 Components of a Late Night Show - 34:03 What is Snapstream - 41:24 FOX and Comedy - 49:00 Links for this episode: Will We Ever Hear The Jokes Amber Ruffin Would Have Told At The White House Correspondents’ Dinner? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EtsANainxk WHCA President on Journalists: "What we are not is the enemy of the state." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SiCTsw00VQ&list=RDNS6SiCTsw00VQ&start_radio=1 Alex Thompson: "We bear some responsibility for faith in the media being at such lows." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmM7wo6lOHk
President Trump’s coming for NPR and PBS! Jenna and Dom get into what’s behind the push to pull their funding, and why it’s part of a bigger culture war play. Why does “60 Minutes” always seem to get under Trump’s skin, and is there anything he can actually do about it? Then, in part two of Jenna and Dom’s conversation with journalist and author Rick Perlstein, he lays out how President Ronald Reagan helped rewrite the media rulebook by repealing the Fairness Doctrine and changing how presidents control the media narrative. And Jenna chats with Kayla Gertie from Media Matters about who’s really dominating online media right now, and why so much political content is hiding in plain sight. Timecodes: Start of show – 00:00 NPR and PBS funding fight – 01:42 Trump vs 60 Minutes (again!) – 07:28 Rick Perlstein interview: Reagan and the Media – 12:00 Kayla Gertie from Media Matters – 36:24 You can find Rick Perlstein’s books “Nixonland” and “Reaganland” at bookstore.com. Links for this episode: Trump plans order to cut funding for NPR and PBS https://www.npr.org/2025/04/15/nx-s1-5352827/npr-pbs-public-media-trump-rescission-funding Trump says CBS should lose license after ‘60 Minutes’ segments on Ukraine, Greenland https://thehill.com/media/5247488-trump-says-cbs-should-lose-license-after-60-minutes-segments-on-ukraine-greenland/ The right dominates the online media ecosystem, seeping into sports, comedy, and other supposedly nonpolitical spaces https://www.mediamatters.org/google/right-dominates-online-media-ecosystem-seeping-sports-comedy-and-other-supposedly
Bill Maher reports back on his dinner with President Donald Trump, saying “everything I’ve ever not liked about him was… absent.” Jenna and Dom are left scratching their heads wondering, wait, what? The Associated Press–Trump saga isn't over! After refusing to call the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America,” the AP got blocked from some White House press events. Now a federal judge has weighed in, so what does the ruling actually say? In part one of our conversation with Rick Perlstein — historian, journalist, and author — we trace how presidents have fought with the press, from Richard Nixon’s enemies list to Trump’s war on coverage he doesn’t like. The tactics may change, but the playbook sounds familiar. Timecodes: Start of show - 00:00 Bill Maher’s dinner date with Trump - 02:10 AP-Trump saga continues - 05:13 Rick Perlstein interview Nixon: The Press Is the Enemy - 09:51 Nixon: Silent Majority - 17:57 Spiro Agnew: Speech on the Media - 23:42 Nixon: No Washington Post In the White House - 45:26 More Next Week - 55:49 You can find Rick Perlstein’s books “Nixonland” and “Reaganland” at bookstore.com. Links for this episode: Judge orders White House to lift restrictions on Associated Press over use of Gulf of Mexico https://www.cbsnews.com/news/white-house-associated-press-dispute-gulf-of-america/ Audio Credits: “The press is the enemy.” - The Richard Nixon Library https://www.nixonlibrary.gov/white-house-tapes/823/conversation-823-001 The Great Silent Majority (full version) - Courtesy: Richard Nixon Foundation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpCWHQ30Do8&t=1552s US Vice President Spiro Agnew speech on the media - Courtesy: Wikicommons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spiro_Agnew_speech_on_media_excerpt.ogg Richard Nixon and Ronald Ziegler conversation about the Washington Post - Courtesy: Richard Nixon Library and Museum https://www.nixonlibrary.gov/white-house-tapes/34/conversation-034-050
Are we watching journalism evolve or just unravel? Jenna and Dom are taking a closer look. Megyn Kelly’s launching a podcast network and calling out the “old rules” of journalism. So what exactly are the ‘new rules’? Then, a Media Matters report uncovers how the right is dominating online media and slipping into sports, comedy, and pop culture. And journalist Laura Jedeed joins the pod to unpack the tech elite’s quiet power grab and why clinging to “objectivity” might be holding journalism back. Show Starts - 00:00 Megyn Kelly and the new rules of journalism - 02:07 Media Matters report on right-wing media - 09:11 Interview with Laura Jedeed - 19:19 To read more from Laura Jedeed, go to her Substack: https://www.bannedinyourstate.com/ Links for this episode: The Interview: Megyn Kelly Is Embracing Her Bias and Rejecting the ‘Old Rules’ https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/29/magazine/megyn-kelly-interview.html The right dominates the online media ecosystem, seeping into sports, comedy, and other supposedly nonpolitical spaces https://www.mediamatters.org/google/right-dominates-online-media-ecosystem-seeping-sports-comedy-and-other-supposedly Podcasts as a Source of News and Information https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2023/04/18/podcasts-as-a-source-of-news-and-information/ The Shadowy Millions Behind San Francisco’s “Moderate” Politics https://newrepublic.com/article/189303/san-francisco-moderate-politics-millionaire-tech-donors How Democrats Can Win Back the White Working Class https://newlinesmag.com/argument/how-democrats-can-win-back-the-white-working-class/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabO1MKFCyNZhd11mgykWUALyMy__ME60MF1U7phaGfXbQz7MTDp3-hDJeI_aem_49SDpPG7ZuF2kYhE6i5ckg Laura Jedeed https://laurajedeed.com/
Jenna and Dom are back from a brief break and boy did a lot happen! They unpack the leaked Signal chat between Trump-era officials that’s raising questions about national security, and who gets prosecuted when lines are crossed. And they also break down the Capitol Hill grilling of NPR and PBS, as House Republicans threaten to pull public media funding over claims of bias. Topic Timestamps: Signal Drama: 1:54 NPR, PBS Go to Washington: 13:00 Links for this episode: Bondi Suggests Signal Chat Episode Is Unlikely to Be Criminally Investigated https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/27/us/politics/signal-leak-prosecution-bondi.html Congressional Republicans target PBS and NPR funding in contentious hearing https://apnews.com/article/doge-pbs-npr-elon-trump-musk-99a40be6cbbe8932047afe371f91fdc5
The scary world of vanishing information! First up, Jenna and Dom talk about what's with USAID telling employees to destroy classified documents? Next, they discuss MTV News pulling their entire website offline last year. In the spotlight, guest Michael Alex, who pioneered MTV's digital presence in the 90s, joins the pod and shares fascinating stories about launching MTV's first website and fighting to preserve cultural archives. Why do media companies treat digital history as disposable? Michael makes a compelling case that we need "stewards, not owners" of our collective online memory. It's a must-listen conversation about digital preservation, journalistic ethics, and the startling reality that the internet isn't as permanent as we once believed. Topic Timestamps: Headlines - 2:13 Michael Alex on digital archiving - 7:57 To listen to Part 1 of Michael Alex’s interview, check out our episode: “Local News’s Role in Aftermath of Helene, Chappell Roan’s Meltdown, and How MTV Changed the News” (10/1/24) https://soundcloud.com/laidoffandlooking-podcast/how-mtv-changed-the-news?si=8dfb20d0be2146b7a477bd161aa99035&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing Links for this episode: USAID employees told to burn or shred classified documents https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/usaid-employees-told-burn-shred-classified-documents-rcna195853 How to disappear completely https://www.theverge.com/24321569/internet-decay-link-rot-web-archive-deleted-culture New episodes resume starting on Friday, March 28!
There’s nothing like the New York Post headlines and this week, Jenna and Dom have some fun with their latest! Then, journalist and former Page Six editor Frank DiGiacomo joins the podcast to talk about his new book, “Paper of Wreckage,” an insider look at the New York Post’s wild history. From its transformation under Rupert Murdoch to the outrageous headlines that made it infamous, we dive into the chaos, controversies, and lasting impact of one of America’s most polarizing newspapers. Topic Timestamps: New York Post headlines - 2:02 History of the New York Post - 8:49 Book: “Paper of Wreckage” by Susan Mulcahy and Frank DiGiacomo https://bookshop.org/p/books/paper-of-wreckage-an-oral-history-of-the-new-york-post-1976-2024-susan-mulcahy/21090656?ean=9781982164836&next=t Links for this episode: Pumping the brakes: Trump announces one-month delay of US tariffs for cars from Canada, Mexico https://nypost.com/2025/03/05/us-news/trump-mulls-1-month-delay-of-tariffs-on-cars-from-canada-mexico/ No kidding! ‘Octomom’ regrets not suing fertility doctor after having 14 kids https://pagesix.com/2025/03/05/parents/octomom-nadya-suleman-regrets-not-suing-fertility-doctor/?_gl=1*1f42rxx*_ga*MjIyODU5OTI3LjE3MjY3NzQ1MDI.*_ga_0DZ7LHF5PZ*MTc0MTIwMTY3NS4zLjEuMTc0MTIwMjAwMS4zNC4wLjA. Croc ‘n’ roll Kim Kardashian slipped into a skintight, croc-embossed leather gown for an Oscars 2025 ‘after after party’ https://pagesix.com/2025/03/05/style/kim-kardashian-wears-croc-embossed-leather-gown-for-oscars-2025-after-after-party/?_gl=1*tnfzlc*_ga*MjIyODU5OTI3LjE3MjY3NzQ1MDI.*_ga_0DZ7LHF5PZ*MTc0MTIwMTY3NS4zLjEuMTc0MTIwMTg4MC42MC4wLjA Hard to watch Meghan Markle’s estranged half-brother slams ‘malarkey stories’ about her childhood in new Netflix show https://nypost.com/2025/03/05/entertainment/meghan-markles-brother-thomas-slams-malarkey-stories-about-her-childhood-in-netflixs-with-love-meghan/ Bye Bye, Bieber - Justin Bieber’s longtime personal assistant quits amid concerns about pop star’s behavior: report https://pagesix.com/?_gl=1*1t8odjz*_ga*MTU5MDQ2MjA2OC4xNzQxMjAxNjYz*_ga_0DZ7LHF5PZ*MTc0MTIwMTY2Mi4xLjEuMTc0MTIwMTgzMy41OS4wLjA.
This week, Jenna and Dom break down the latest headlines about LGBTQ+ erasure with Cathy Renna from the National LGBTQ Task Force. Why did the National Park Service quietly remove ‘transgender’ from the Stonewall Monument's site? Why did PBS pull LGBTQ+ teaching resources? And what role does the media play in preserving history when the government won’t? Plus, journalist and content creator Viktoria Capek is back! In part two of our conversation, we discuss what it really means to be openly queer in the newsroom, the barriers that still exist, and why true representation in journalism is still a work in progress. Topic Timestamps: LGBTQ+ history erased - 1:46 PBS pulls LGBTQ+ resources - 31:35 Viktoria Capek on queer identity in journalism - 48:28 Info about our guests: For more info about Cathy Renna’s work with National LGBTQ Task Force: https://www.thetaskforce.org/ You can find Viktoria Capek on TikTok: @viktoriaacapek Links for this episode: 'Transgender' references erased from Stonewall National Monument website https://www.advocate.com/news/transgender-removed-stonewall-national-monument-lgbtq Trump administration erases mentions of LGBTQ+ & HIV resources from government websites https://www.advocate.com/politics/trump-strips-hiv-lgbtq-websites Government agencies scrub LGBTQ web pages and remove info about trans and intersex people https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/government-agencies-scrub-lgbtq-web-pages-remove-info-trans-intersex-p-rcna190519 Mom of Sam Nordquist, transgender man tortured and killed in New York, slams police response https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/mom-sam-nordquist-transgender-man-tortured-killed-new-york-slams-polic-rcna192864 A Message from National Board President Ken Miguel https://www.nlgja.org/blog/2025/02/message-feb-25/ PBS Removes LGBTQ Teaching Resources in Response to Trump's Executive Orders https://hellgatenyc.com/pbs-removes-lgbtq-teaching-resources-trump-eo/ LGBTQ history videos find new home after PBS pulls content due to Trump executive orders https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/02/19/nyc-public-schools-publishes-lgbtq-history-videos-deleted-by-pbs-wnet/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
This week, Jenna and Dom can't help but notice a pattern: "Hostile Government Takeover" isn't just a viral TikTok song; it's basically the theme song for the week's headlines! They're joined by media critic and Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) founder Jeff Cohen to break down all the big stories. First up: Former “New York Times” columnist Paul Krugman says major news outlets are "sanewashing" President Trump. Is it true? Then, the White House-AP standoff gets even messier! With the administration still barring AP reporters from the Oval Office and Air Force One, some journalists are asking: should the press boycott White House events? Plus, Oliver Darcy’s “Trumpocalypse Now” warning- democracy is at risk, and the press is under pressure. Is journalism rising to the challenge or playing it too safe? Topic Timestamps: “Hostile Government Takeover” – 1:45 Jeff Cohen on the history of FAIR – 5:54 Are news outlets "sanewashing" Trump? – 15:25 White House-AP standoff gets messier – 41:16 "Trumpocalypse Now" warning – 55:44 “Hostile Government Takeover” song info Singer/writer - TikTok @agiftfromtodd EDM Remix collab with - TikTok @veryveryvinny Go to iTunes or Spotify for the single! Links for this episode: For more info about Jeff Cohen, go to his website: www.jeffcohen.org Paul Krugman on media “sanewashing” Trump https://www.mediaite.com/tv/ex-new-york-times-columnist-paul-krugman-accuses-former-employer-of-sanewashing-trump/amp/ Trump: AP White House access restricted until they use "Gulf of America" https://www.axios.com/2025/02/18/trump-gulf-of-mexico-associated-press Jim Acosta Says AP Should Sue Trump Over White House Ban https://www.thewrap.com/jim-acosta-says-ap-needs-to-sue-trump-over-boycott/ Status - “Trumpocalypse Now” by Oliver Darcy https://www.status.news/p/trumpocalypse-now
This week on the Laid Off and Looking podcast, Jenna and Dom break down the escalating drama between the White House and the Associated Press over renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America." They discuss why everyone should care about what's happening here, exploring the implications of this dispute and its impact on press freedom. Then, they chat about comedian Hasan Minhaj’s YouTube video “Is Journalism Cooked?” and whether real reporting still has a future or if we’re all just chasing viral moments now. Plus, Jenna and Dom go to the movies! They uncover the story behind "September 5," the Oscar-nominated film that captures the 1972 Munich Olympics hostage crisis through the eyes of the ABC Sports team. Director Tim Fehlbaum and co-writer Moritz Binder join the show to share how they brought this historic moment to life. Topic Timecodes: White House-AP ‘Gulf’ Drama – 1:20 Hasan Minhaj asks Is Journalism Cooked? – 6:50 Oscar-nominated September 5 – 31:48 Links featured in this episode: AP Statement on Oval Office Access https://www.ap.org/the-definitive-source/announcements/ap-statement-on-oval-office-access/’ White House defends banning AP from Oval Office over ‘Gulf of America’ stance https://thehill.com/homenews/media/5141155-karoline-leavitt-ap-oval-office-gulf-of-america/ DeSantis corrects reporter: They’re “Illegal Aliens,” Not “Undocumented Immigrants” https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2025/01/24/desantis_corrects_reporter_theyre_illegal_aliens_not_undocumented_immigrants.html Hasan Minhaj YouTube channel - “Is Journalism Cooked?” with Jelani Cobb, Dean of Columbia Journalism School https://youtu.be/ZSN37TR3ecE?si=Fr7B6irlPcd8VweD “September 5” trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Azud40CQ3IE September 5 https://www.september5movie.com/
Dom and Jenna are both down for the count this week but will DEFINITELY be back next with to continue the discussion around what is happening to journalism in America.
This week, Jenna and Dom break down another major media shake-up: Jim Acosta is leaving CNN after years as one of the network’s most recognizable faces. What does his departure signal about the future of CNN? Then, they examine the growing movement behind the Menendez brothers’ case, as a new hearing on March 20 could potentially change their decades-old conviction. How has social media, true crime, and pop culture reframed their story? Plus, The True Crime Podcast Podcast creators Kylie McPeek and Grace Carroll join the show to discuss their investigation into the true crime podcast boom. They explore the ethical dilemmas of the genre, its impact on real criminal investigations, and whether journalism is losing out to entertainment. Topic Timecodes: Jim Acosta’s CNN exit – 1:15 The Menendez brothers’ legal fight – 10:24 The ethics of true crime podcasts – 15:53 Links featured in this episode: Jim Acosta announces he is leaving CNN https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/28/business/video/jim-acosta-announcement-leaving-cnn-digvid Menendez Family Reveals Erik and Lyle’s Mindset as the Brothers Await Their Last Chance for Freedom https://people.com/menendez-family-reveals-erik-lyle-mindset-brothers-last-chance-freedom-8782077 The True Crime Consumer Report by Edison Research and Audiochuck https://www.edisonresearch.com/the-true-crime-consumer-report-by-edison-research-and-audiochuck/ True Crime Podcast Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-podcast-podcast/id1763286752
This week, Jenna and Dom discuss CNN's latest shake-up: the network is laying off about 200 traditional TV jobs while planning to add 100 digital positions by mid-year. Is it enough to save the once-dominant cable news network? Then, they explore why documenting historic moments, like presidential inaugurations, are so important to telling our nation's story. Plus, veteran news photographer Todd Maisel takes us behind the lens of breaking news. From documenting 9/11 to dodging mob threats, Todd shares incredible stories from his decades on New York's streets and beyond. He opens up about what it really takes to capture history as it unfolds, and how the rise of smartphones and AI is changing the game for photojournalists. Topic Timecodes: CNN layoffs – 1:13 Inauguration insights – 10:36 Tales from a photojournalist – 13:00 Link featured in this episode: CNN Plots Major Overhaul as It Enters a New Trump Era https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/23/business/media/cnn-layoffs-mark-thompson.html Todd Maisel website: https://www.toddmaiselvisualjournalism.com
This week, Jenna and Dom take a closer look at two major stories shaping headlines. First, they examine the ongoing battle over TikTok’s future in the U.S. They discuss how the platform has become a vital tool for journalists to share their work and inform the public. What impact would a shutdown have on its 170 million American users? What’s at stake for TikTok’s 7,000 U.S.-based employees? Why are TikTok users heading to the Chinese-owned app RedNote? Next, Dom and Jenna focus on the dangers posed by misinformation and disinformation surrounding the devastating California wildfires. Highlighting examples like AI-generated fake images and misleading viral videos, they explore how false stories spread confusion and erode trust. Finally, Jenna and Dom spotlight the extraordinary efforts of local journalists assisting residents affected by the fires, like CBS Sacramento reporter Ashley Sharp, who checked on evacuated homes for those displaced. They also talk about photojournalists like September Dawn Bottoms, who captured stunning and powerful images of the wildfires. These photos give an unfiltered look at the devastation and show just how important visual storytelling is. Even in tough times, their work highlights why journalism matters in helping us understand and connect with what’s really happening. Topic timecodes: TikTok ban drama - 1:31 Combating misinformation of the LA fires - 33:45 Journalists making a difference - 51:47 Impact of photojournalism during LA fires - 1:02:44 HOW TO HELP THOSE AFFECTED BY THE CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES https://apnews.com/article/california-wildfires-palisades-eaton-los-angeles-21ca02ac9b897fd1eddef8c5e8dd3c25 COURTESY: Special thanks to September Dawn Bottoms for the use of her photographs of the LA fires in our YouTube episode. For more information, check out her website: www.septemberdawnbottoms.com and IG: @Septemberdawnbo LINKS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE: TikTok prepares to shut down app in US on Sunday, sources say https://www.reuters.com/technology/tiktok-preparing-us-shut-off-sunday-information-reports-2025-01-15/ TikTok says US employees will have jobs even if ban takes effect https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/15/business/tiktok-bytedance-ban-jobs.html RedNote: What to know about the Chinese app TikTok users are flocking to https://www.reuters.com/technology/chinas-rednote-what-you-need-know-about-app-tiktok-users-are-flocking-2025-01-15/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Death toll from Palisades and Eaton fires climbs to 25. What we know about those killed https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-12/death-toll-palisades-eaton-fires-rises AccuWeather estimates more than $250 billion in damages and economic loss from LA wildfires https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/accuweather-estimates-more-than-250-billion-in-damages-and-economic-loss-from-la-wildfires/1733821 As LA fires burn, officials work to counter false rumors and misinformation https://www.cbsnews.com/news/la-fires-burn-california-fema-false-rumors-misinformation/ California Fire Facts - Gov. Gavin Newsom https://gavinnewsom.com/california-fire-facts/ Journalism fact-checking sites: PolitiFact Reuters Associated Press Snopes TikTok - @ashleyontv CBS Sacramento's Ashley Sharp, along with photographer Dave Grashoff, helped wildfire evacuees by checking on their homes and posting updates on TikTok. TikTok - KTLA’s John Fenoglio puts out fire about to start at the back of a house during the wildfires TikTok - @NBCLA reporter holds paintings for California resident evacuating from fire Photos show apocalyptic scenes as wildfires rage across Los Angeles https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/los-angeles-palisades-california-fires-photos The eye behind the lens https://apnews.com/article/california-los-angeles-wildfires-photos-8c2f2767b3722ccbb98d6e78a563c1f4
After ghosting everyone for the holidays (kidding!), Jenna and Dom return at a crucial moment… just as the Supreme Court hears arguments that could ban TikTok in the U.S. Talk about timing! This leads them into what's keeping them awake at night- scrolling through the wild world of news media on TikTok. Viral rants about journalism sparked this conversation about who gets to tell the news and who's making money off it. Then, it’s on to the political cartoon drama shaking up The Washington Post, and we hear from a journalist who works there. Finally, they discuss the devastating California wildfires and examine how breaking news coverage is evolving as social media and traditional newsrooms compete for audience attention. LINKS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE: TikTok Case Before Supreme Court Pits National Security Against Free Speech https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/us/politics/tiktok-supreme-court-national-security-free-speech.html TikTok: Content Creator - @parkroseperma https://www.tiktok.com/@parkroseperma/video/7453875402084257070?_r=1&_t=ZT-8ss4w21unFu A Pulitzer winner quits 'Washington Post' after a cartoon on Bezos is killed https://www.npr.org/2025/01/04/nx-s1-5248299/cartoonist-quits-wapo-over-bezos-trump-cartoon-washingtonpost TikTok: Content Creator - @michelleboorstein https://www.tiktok.com/@michelleboorstein/video/7456118219217145119?_r=1&_t=ZT-8ss5h68kwRe TikTok: Content Creator - @franchesca_leigh https://www.tiktok.com/@franchesca_leigh/video/7456895408845983018?_r=1&_t=ZT-8ss5voN1Xqd Inside Akwesasne Freedom School https://www.pbs.org/video/inside-akwesasne-freedom-school-xl2sob/ TikTok: Content Creator - @mrglobal2.0 https://www.tiktok.com/@mrglobal2.0/video/7455923740010925354?_r=1&_t=ZT-8ss6GGVN97T How to help those affected by the California wildfires https://apnews.com/article/california-wildfires-palisades-eaton-los-angeles-21ca02ac9b897fd1eddef8c5e8dd3c25