Question Everything with Brian Reed

Do you have questions for us? If so, we want to talk to you! If you have thoughts about Question Everything, critiques of our episodes, or anything you're curious about, that we're covering, or not covering…please tell us. We want to set up some conversations between listeners and Brian and our staff for an upcoming episode. Write to us at hey@placementtheory.com and someone from our staff may reach out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carly Tate, a high school junior from a law enforcement family in Alabama, sheds light on the troubling arrest of journalists in her hometown. She discusses the chilling effect on press freedom amidst increasing tensions between the media and law enforcement. Carly shares her insights on the ethical dilemmas faced by journalists in hostile environments and the crucial role of citizen journalists. The conversation highlights the need for accountability and understanding of First Amendment rights, emphasizing the delicate balance between journalism and the legal system.

V Spehar is a dynamic social media content creator known for their engaging TikTok channel, Under the Desk News, where they deliver news in a relatable format to millions. In this discussion, V dives into the friction between traditional journalism and new media influencers, sharing insights on their recent conflict with NPR. They explore how platforms like TikTok are reshaping news consumption and trust, and emphasize the importance of personal storytelling in news reporting. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of media and the role of audience connection.

Vicky Ward, a journalist known for her work on the Kushner family and Jeffrey Epstein, joins tech critic Edward Ongweso Jr. and futurist Douglas Rushkoff to dive into the mindset of today's billionaires. They discuss the increasing political influence of the ultra-rich and the ethical dilemmas faced by journalists covering them. The trio unpacks the paradox of immense wealth coupled with isolation and critiques modern billionaires' motivations for space exploration and philanthropy, contrasting them with past societal values.

Ben Smith tells the story of the strange controversy over a journalism award that’s been going down in a Florida courthouse.Ben is Editor-in-Chief of Semafor and co-host of the Mixed Signals podcast. He used to be The New York Times media columnist and was founding editor-in-chief of Buzzfeed News.Sign up for our newsletter to read the lengthy listener criticism that helped inspire Brian to do this episode: www.kcrw.com/questioneverything“Question Everything” is a production of KCRW and Placement Theory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Locked up, alone, accused of being a spy, reporter Jeremy Loffredo has to defend the fact that he’s a journalist. To the Israeli courts. And then…to our reporter. Part two of our special series about Jeremy Loffredo, who in October became the first American journalist arrested by Israel. If you haven't listened to part one, check that out first in your feed: "Blindfolded And Arrested On Assignment In Israel."This week in our newsletter, we'll bring you inside some disagreements we had on staff, about how to tell this story. Sign up at: kcrw.com/questioneverything“Question Everything” is a production of KCRW and Placement Theory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just a few months ago, Israel did something it has never done before. It arrested an American journalist. His name is Jeremy Loffredo.This is his story. Part one of a special, two-part series. “Question Everything” is a production of KCRW and Placement Theory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Tom McCarthy, an Oscar winner known for Spotlight, alongside directors Tina Satter, creator of Reality, and Tobias Lindholm, renowned for The Investigation. They dive into the tightrope of truth in filmmaking, sharing humorous struggles faced while adapting real events. Satter reveals the controversial story behind Reality Winner, while Lindholm recounts the risks of filming Somali pirates. They discuss the emotional weight of portraying real stories and reflect on how storytelling can illuminate overlooked narratives in society.

John Reed, a journalist at Pira Technologies, dives into the power of AI in uncovering hidden online narratives. He discusses how this technology identifies emerging ideas that could shape future conversations, from political threats to conspiracy theories surrounding figures like Bill Gates. The conversation explores the balance between verifying these narratives and sensationalism, the influence of social media on public perception, and the dangers of misinformation. Reed highlights the ever-evolving landscape of online discourse and its implications for journalism.

In this insightful discussion, Sam Egan, a political podcast producer from The New Yorker, and Chaz Polson, an MMA fighter and roofing company employee, unpack Donald Trump's fraught relationship with the media. They delve into the historical context of media confrontation, revealing Trump's evolving rhetoric and its implications for public trust. Egan shares his research on Trump’s comments about journalists, while Polson offers a unique perspective on how this affects everyday people's views on credibility in journalism. Their candid chats highlight the critical state of media freedom today.