Question Everything

The story of an adult performer, Davin Strong, whose life was upended by a seemingly small change to Section 230. Question Everything is a production of KCRW and Placement Theory. For more of our coverage of how the internet and press shape our reality, sign up for our newsletter. Guests:  Davin Addison (aka Davin Strong), adult performer whose livelihood was upended after FOSTA-SESTA. Sam Eagan, Producer, Question Everything

At a bar that survived the destruction, a group of reporters get together a year later to talk about the personal impact the LA wildfires had on them. And some of the harrowing – and surprising – requests they got from people to check if their homes were still standing. Thanks to Good Neighbor Bar and West Altadena Wine & Spirits for hosting us. Question Everything is a production of KCRW and Placement Theory. Sign up for our newsletter please! Guests:  Tony Briscoe, environmental reporter, Los Angeles Times Jacob Soboroff, senior political and national correspondent, MSNOW and author of “Firestorm: The Great Los Angeles Fires and America’s New Age of Disaster” Leanne Suter, reporter, ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles  Michelle Zacarias, reporter, CALÓ News Randy Clement, co-owner, Good Neighbor Bar in Altadena, California

We’re taking a quick break for the holidays, but in the spirit of New Year reflection, we’re sharing our very first episode of Question Everything.  Brian talks to fellow journalist, Gay Alcorn, who called his most well-known work – the hit podcast S-Town – “morally indefensible.” You can read Gay’s column here. Subscribe to our newsletter to read Gay’s full reaction to this episode.  You can listen to S-Town here.  If you’re having thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help by dialing 988 or clicking here.  “Question Everything” is a production of KCRW and Placement Theory.  This episode originally aired on September 11th, 2024.

Join Tom McCarthy, acclaimed for Spotlight, Antonio Campos, creator of The Staircase, Tina Satter, who adapted Reality Winner's story, and Tobias Lindholm, known for The Investigation. They dive into the complex dance of fact and fiction in filmmaking. Explore the power of verbatim transcripts and how they shape narratives. Discover how meeting real-life figures transformed their approaches and the importance of authenticity in storytelling. They debate the balance between imagination and strict factual constraints while highlighting the emotional impact of dramatized truths.

In this conversation, Jeff Kosseff, a law professor and author of "The Twenty-Six Words That Created the Internet," dives into the origins and implications of Section 230. He recounts the pivotal Stratton Oakmont v. Prodigy case, revealing how moderation turned platforms into publishers and shaped online discourse. Kosseff emphasizes the risks of Congress potentially repealing the law, arguing it could stifle free expression and harm smaller platforms. The discussion reflects on today's internet and how it contrasts with the original vision lawmakers had in the 1990s.

Jason Leopold, an investigative reporter known for his FOIA expertise, and Matt Topic, a First Amendment attorney, dive into the complexities surrounding the imminent release of the Epstein files. They reveal the FBI's "Special Redaction Project," which trained nearly 1,000 agents to review sensitive documents. Discussion turns to a long-standing FOIA lawsuit that may force the release of crucial information. The duo outlines potential obstacles, including legal loopholes, and shares insights on the types of evidence that remain hidden from the public.

When the recent slate of Jeffrey Epstein emails dropped, one line immediately jumped out: “I think you should let him hang himself.” It was part of a 2015 email exchange between journalist Michael Wolff and his source, Jeffrey Epstein, discussing whether they should give Donald Trump a heads-up that Wolff had heard CNN was planning to question Trump about his relationship with Epstein. We dissect this startling exchange by talking with three journalists, who each had a different take on it – and what this sentence means for journalism, access, and the boundaries reporters might cross to get information. Question Everything is a production of KCRW and Placement Theory. And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter. Guests:  Isaac Saul, Founder and executive editor of Tangle, a nonpartisan politics newsletter Susan Zakin, veteran journalist and Substack writer Tara Palmeri, The Red Letter Substack and host of the Tara Palmeri Show

Ben Collins, CEO of The Onion and former disinformation reporter, dives into the role of satire in contemporary politics. He discusses the success behind reviving The Onion's print newspaper and critiques mainstream journalism’s fair reporting norms. Collins reflects on his attempt to buy InfoWars, aiming to shut it down, and explains why AI will never match human creativity in comedy. With a blend of humor and insight, he highlights the importance of laughing while confronting unsettling truths about media.

Next week, the House is expected to hold a hearing on kids’ online safety. They plan to release several bills to protect kids from harmful content. But one issue is not on the agenda: Section 230, the law that helps shield tech platforms from liability for content posted on their sites.  In an interview with our host, Brian Reed, Congressman Jake Auchincloss (MA-D) says one man has the power to add 230 to the hearing: Committee Chair Brett Guthrie. Auchincloss urges our listeners to call Guthrie at 202-225-3501, and request that Section 230 be added to the agenda – so that the biggest tech companies in our country can be “humbled.” Or you can email Rep. Guthrie at guthrieassistance@mail.house.gov. There's more contact info at his website. You can read Rep. Auchincloss’s proposed Section 230 reform bill here. This emergency Section 230 alert is part of an ongoing journalistic experiment where Brian is shedding the traditional cloak of “objectivity” to actually try and change our information ecosystem for the better. Question Everything is a production of KCRW and Placement Theory. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter, where we’ll send out Brian’s full video interview with Rep. Auchincloss about how hard it is to hold tech companies accountable. Guests:  Congressman Jake Auchincloss (MA-D)

Jeff Horwitz, an investigative reporter at Reuters specializing in tech and Facebook/Meta, delves into the disturbing world of scam ads on Meta's platforms. He reveals that Meta serves a staggering 15 billion scam ad impressions daily, contributing to $16 billion in revenue. Jeff discusses the implications of Section 230, which shields Meta from lawsuits, and highlights organized crime's involvement in these scams. The conversation also explores Meta's inadequate responses to fraud and the importance of regulatory pressure for reform.