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

00:00:00

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.

00:00:01

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.

00:00:24

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.

00:05:55

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.

00:09:40

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.

00:13:19

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.

00:17:38

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

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