Bonus: Axios and Allies feat. Jael Holzman
Digest
Jail Holesman, a former congressional reporter, joins the podcast to discuss her decision to leave journalism and pursue music. She details the moral compromises she faced while covering climate change and trans issues in Washington, D.C., highlighting the media's tendency to sensationalize and misrepresent trans narratives. Holesman describes how she felt increasingly uncomfortable with the disconnect between the respectful treatment she received from sources and the often inaccurate and fear-mongering coverage of trans issues. She cites specific incidents, including the Politico story about Madison Cawthorne and the defunding of an LGBTQ youth center in Pennsylvania, as examples of the media's failure to accurately report on trans issues. Holesman argues that the media's fear of offending anti-trans readers and the pressure to maintain access to sources have led to a silencing of trans voices and a lack of nuanced coverage. She emphasizes the importance of investigating the sources of anti-trans rhetoric and the need for journalists to hold those spreading misinformation accountable. Holesman's experience highlights the challenges faced by trans journalists and the need for greater accountability and accuracy in media coverage of trans issues.
Outlines
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Introduction and Jail's Background
This Chapter introduces Jail Holesman, a former congressional reporter, and discusses her decision to leave journalism and pursue music. It also provides background information on her career and her experiences covering climate change and trans issues in Washington, D.C.
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The Moral Compromises of Journalism
This Chapter delves into the moral compromises that Jail faced as a journalist, particularly in relation to the coverage of trans issues. She discusses the media's tendency to sensationalize and misrepresent trans narratives, often prioritizing clicks and fear-mongering over accuracy and empathy.
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The Breaking Point: Politico and Madison Cawthorne
This Chapter focuses on a specific incident that contributed to Jail's decision to leave journalism. She discusses the Politico story about Madison Cawthorne and the publication's decision to run photos of him in lingerie without proper context or verification. Jail argues that this incident exemplifies the media's willingness to exploit trans narratives for sensationalism and clicks, even at the expense of accuracy and ethical reporting.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
The Media's Compartmentalization of Trans Issues
This Chapter explores the media's tendency to compartmentalize trans issues, treating them differently from other social issues. Jail argues that the media often gives a platform to anti-trans voices and perspectives, while simultaneously failing to accurately represent the experiences and perspectives of trans people.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
The Fear of Offending Anti-Trans Readers
This Chapter examines the media's fear of offending anti-trans readers and the impact this fear has on coverage of trans issues. Jail argues that this fear has led to a silencing of trans voices and a lack of nuanced coverage, often resulting in the perpetuation of misinformation and harmful stereotypes.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
The Need for Investigative Journalism and Accountability
This Chapter emphasizes the importance of investigative journalism and accountability in covering trans issues. Jail argues that the media should focus on investigating the sources of anti-trans rhetoric and holding those spreading misinformation accountable, rather than simply reporting on the most sensationalized and often inaccurate narratives.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
The Role of Well-Funded PR Shops and the Lack of Context
This Chapter discusses the role of well-funded PR shops in shaping the media's coverage of trans issues. Jail argues that these shops often provide journalists with misleading information and statistics, contributing to the lack of context and accuracy in reporting.
Keywords
Trans Issues
Trans issues refer to the challenges, concerns, and rights of transgender people. This encompasses a wide range of topics, including gender identity, gender expression, access to healthcare, legal recognition, and social acceptance. Trans issues are often intertwined with broader social justice movements, advocating for equality and non-discrimination based on gender identity.
Journalism Ethics
Journalism ethics refers to the principles and standards that guide journalists in their work. These principles include accuracy, fairness, impartiality, accountability, and transparency. Ethical journalism aims to ensure that information is presented truthfully, fairly, and without bias, while upholding the public's right to know. Ethical considerations are particularly important when covering sensitive topics, such as trans issues, to avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes and misinformation.
Media Bias
Media bias refers to the tendency of media outlets to present information in a way that favors a particular viewpoint or agenda. This can manifest in various forms, including the selection of stories, the framing of narratives, the choice of sources, and the use of language. Media bias can have a significant impact on public perception and understanding of issues, particularly when it comes to sensitive topics like trans issues.
Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive dissonance is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when an individual holds two or more conflicting beliefs, ideas, or values. This can create a state of discomfort or tension, leading individuals to seek ways to reduce the dissonance. In the context of trans issues, cognitive dissonance can occur when individuals hold both accepting and prejudiced views about trans people, leading to a disconnect between their personal beliefs and their actions or behaviors.
Libs of TikTok
Libs of TikTok is a social media account that has gained notoriety for its focus on highlighting and often misrepresenting content from LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations on TikTok. The account has been accused of spreading misinformation and contributing to the rise of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment. Libs of TikTok has been criticized for its selective editing of videos, its use of inflammatory language, and its promotion of harmful stereotypes.
Echo Astral
Echo Astral is an indie punk band fronted by Jail Holesman. The band's music often explores themes of social justice, identity, and personal experiences. Echo Astral has gained recognition for its energetic live performances and its unique blend of punk rock and experimental sounds.
Pink Balloons
Pink Balloons is the name of Echo Astral's debut album. The album features a mix of punk rock anthems, introspective ballads, and politically charged tracks. Pink Balloons has been praised for its raw energy, its honest lyrics, and its exploration of themes relevant to the LGBTQ+ community.
Washington Beltway
The Washington Beltway refers to the political and media circles centered around Washington, D.C. It encompasses the federal government, political parties, lobbying groups, think tanks, and major news organizations. The Beltway is often characterized by its intense focus on politics and its influence on national discourse.
Gender-Affirming Healthcare
Gender-affirming healthcare refers to medical treatments and services that support transgender individuals in aligning their physical appearance and bodily functions with their gender identity. This can include hormone therapy, surgery, and mental health counseling. Gender-affirming healthcare is considered essential for the well-being of transgender individuals and is supported by major medical organizations.
Anti-Trans Activism
Anti-trans activism refers to efforts to oppose the rights and recognition of transgender people. This can include lobbying against legislation that protects trans rights, spreading misinformation about trans issues, and promoting harmful stereotypes. Anti-trans activism often draws on religious beliefs, conservative ideologies, and fear-mongering tactics.
Q&A
What are some of the moral compromises that Jail Holesman faced as a congressional reporter?
Jail faced moral compromises in covering climate change and trans issues. She felt pressured to sensationalize stories for clicks and to avoid offending anti-trans readers, even if it meant sacrificing accuracy and fairness.
How does the media's coverage of trans issues differ from its coverage of other social issues?
Jail argues that the media often treats trans issues differently, giving a platform to anti-trans voices and perspectives while failing to accurately represent the experiences of trans people. This compartmentalization, she believes, stems from a fear of offending anti-trans readers and a lack of understanding of the complexities of trans issues.
What are some of the specific incidents that led to Jail's decision to leave journalism?
Jail cites the Politico story about Madison Cawthorne and the defunding of an LGBTQ youth center in Pennsylvania as examples of the media's failure to accurately report on trans issues. She felt that these incidents highlighted the media's willingness to exploit trans narratives for sensationalism and clicks, even at the expense of ethical reporting.
What are the practical effects of removing access to gender-affirming healthcare?
Jail explains that removing access to gender-affirming healthcare can have devastating consequences for trans individuals, including increased risk of mental health issues, suicidality, and self-harm. For those who rely on hormone therapy, losing access can lead to immediate and potentially life-threatening health complications.
Why does Jail believe that the media is not adequately covering the issue of trans healthcare?
Jail believes that the media's fear of offending both anti-trans readers and trans people who might be upset by incorrect pronouns has led to a silencing of trans voices and a lack of nuanced coverage. This fear, she argues, has resulted in a situation where journalists are afraid to report on the issue, even when it is clearly important and relevant.
What is Jail's perspective on the role of well-funded PR shops in shaping the media's coverage of trans issues?
Jail believes that well-funded PR shops often provide journalists with misleading information and statistics, contributing to the lack of context and accuracy in reporting. She argues that these shops often promote anti-trans narratives and perspectives, which are then amplified by the media.
What does Jail suggest as a way to improve the media's coverage of trans issues?
Jail advocates for investigative journalism and accountability in covering trans issues. She believes that the media should focus on investigating the sources of anti-trans rhetoric and holding those spreading misinformation accountable, rather than simply reporting on the most sensationalized and often inaccurate narratives.
How does Jail's experience as a journalist inform her music?
Jail's experience as a journalist, particularly her struggles with the media's coverage of trans issues, has deeply informed her music. She uses her music to explore themes of social justice, identity, and personal experiences, often drawing on her own experiences and observations of the media landscape.
What is Jail's message to the media and to the public regarding the coverage of trans issues?
Jail's message is a call for greater accountability, accuracy, and empathy in the media's coverage of trans issues. She urges journalists to challenge misinformation, to amplify trans voices, and to recognize the real-life consequences of their reporting. She also encourages the public to be critical consumers of media and to demand better coverage of trans issues.
Show Notes
Check out Jael’s medium post on quitting congressional journalism here:
https://medium.com/@jaelholzman/why-im-leaving-congressional-journalism-ee97e2bbebf6
And get into Ekko Astral here:
https://ekkoastral.bandcamp.com/album/pink-balloons