Justin Kanew from The Tennessee Holler and Justin Fenton from Baltimore Banner discuss accountability in Tennessee's culture war and updates on Baltimore bridge disaster. Topics include right-wing news filling gaps, Governor Bill Lee's controversial past, removal of KKK statue, tragic mass shooting at Covenant School, impact of TikTok on youth, Joe Biden's challenges with Israel, and consequences of bridge collapse in Baltimore.
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Quick takeaways
The Tennessee Holler provides progressive accountability journalism to combat conservative bias in local news, influencing state politics.
The decline of local journalism in red states like Tennessee gives rise to misinformation and biased reporting, highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives and accountability.
Tennessee legislators' discriminatory actions and internal conflicts reveal racial disparities and political challenges, emphasizing the need for inclusive policies and public school funding.
Deep dives
Origin of the Tennessee Holler and Accountability Journalism
The Tennessee Holler, founded by Justin Canoe, arose from the need to present a progressive perspective in local news against conservative outlets like the Tennessee Star. The Holler's accountability journalism gained prominence by exposing corruption, notably contributing to the resignation of a corrupt state speaker. Their approach blends journalism with activism, openly maintaining a progressive stance.
Impact of Local Journalism Decline on Informed Communities
The decline of local journalism has led to a void filled by misinformation and biased reporting, particularly in red states like Tennessee. Communities lack diverse perspectives and vital information, fostering extreme views. The Tennessee Holler's presence highlights the importance of combating disinformation and holding state officials accountable.
Controversy Surrounding Tennessee Legislation and Hypocrisy in Governance
Tennessee legislators faced backlash for discriminatory bills like banning pride flags in classrooms while allowing the Confederate flag. Hypocrisy was exposed, including a legislator's inappropriate online behavior towards a young man. The discussion highlighted racial disparities in expulsion actions and unveiled internal conflicts within the Republican Party, reflecting broader challenges in Tennessee's political landscape.
Impact of Vouchers on Public Education and Income Limits
Vouchers, while possibly aiding a few students, predominantly benefit those already attending private schools, diverting resources from underfunded public schools catering to students with disabilities and learning challenges. Advocates propose income limits on vouchers to address this disparity, emphasizing the importance of funding struggling public schools and providing alternatives for students in lower-performing districts.
TikTok Controversy and Role in Education and Disinformation
The debate over TikTok centers around its political influence and dissemination of information, particularly on sensitive topics like Gaza and Israel. Despite advocating for political engagement among youth, concerns exist about misinformation such as misattributed videos, impacting young viewers. Advocates caution against relying solely on TikTok for news due to its algorithmic content curation and potential foreign influence, suggesting a need for greater transparency and regulation in social media platforms.
As local news is hollowed out, rightwing news fills in the gaps. In Tennessee—ground zero for the culture war—Justin Kanew's site, The Tennessee Holler, holds leaders to account. Kanew joins Tim Miller on the anniversary of the Nashville school shooting. Plus, an update on the bridge disaster from Baltimore Banner reporter Justin Fenton.