The Gray Area with Sean Illing

Best of: The necessity — and danger — of free speech

Dec 19, 2022

Margaret Sullivan, a media columnist for The Washington Post and former public editor of The New York Times, dives into the complex relationship between free speech and democracy. She discusses the potential dangers of misinformation and authoritarianism and the role of media in fostering or undermining democratic values. Sullivan highlights the need for media literacy and the revival of local journalism, while reflecting on the impact of the January 6th hearings and the evolving challenges to free speech in today's polarized landscape.

53:30

Episode guests

Margaret Sullivan

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Episode notes

Intro

4min

Democracy, Media, and the Rise of Fascism

11min

Navigating the Complexities of Free Speech

4min

Challenges to Democracy and Free Speech

19min

Journalism and Public Engagement

5min

The Complexities of Media Neutrality and Free Speech

2min

Navigating Free Speech and Democracy

7min

Exploring the Fragility of Free Speech and Democracy

2min

Sean Illing talks with Washington Post media columnist Margaret Sullivan about his new book The Paradox of Democracy, which he co-authored with media studies professor Zac Gershberg. Sean and Margaret discuss the relationship between free expression and democratic society, talk about whether or not the January 6th hearings are doing anything at all politically, and discuss some potential ways to bolster democratic values in the media ecology of the present.

This was originally released as an episode of Vox Conversations in July.

Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), Interviews Writer, Vox

Guest: Margaret Sullivan (@Sulliview), media columnist, Washington Post

References:

The Paradox of Democracy: Free Speech, Open Media, and Perilous Persuasion by Zac Gershberg and Sean Illing (Chicago; 2022)
Ghosting the News: Local Journalism and the Crisis of American Democracy by Margaret Sullivan (Columbia Global Reports; 2020)
"Four reasons the Jan. 6 hearings have conquered the news cycle" by Margaret Sullivan (Washington Post; July 22)
Understanding Media by Marshall McLuhan (1964)
Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman (1985)
Newsroom Confidential: Lessons (and Worries) from an Ink-Stained Life by Margaret Sullivan (St. Martin's; Oct. 2022)

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This episode was made by:

Producer: Erikk Geannikis
Editor: Amy Drozdowska
Engineer: Patrick Boyd
Editorial Director, Vox Talk: A.M. Hall

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