This episode aired on January 27th, 2025 at 12:00pm.
It’s a strange time for democracy. And you could swap in your adjective of choice in that sentence. Maybe for you it’s a concerning time. A compelling time. An inspiring time. A scary time. We know for sure that everyone wouldn’t use the same descriptor, since stories of the polarization of the United States seem to come at us from all angles, on a daily basis. It seems that the very pillars of democracy are being questioned, much of it a result of a new president and new policies. With so much change and upheaval, we seek news sources for information we can trust. Or do we? Is trust the most compelling need we have for our news sources? On this episode of Media Inside Out we consider how democracy is covered by the news. And the very role of news in a democracy. What it MUST do. What it SHOULD do. What it DOES do. What we WANT it to do. And the gaps in between. Let’s go inside!
Guests
Nisha Sridharan
Nisha Sridharan is an Assistant Professor of Journalism at Temple University. Her research is centered around establishing an inclusive and equitable media communication system that prioritizes the needs and voices of individuals. It includes exploring the role of media in society, community and audience engagement, and inclusion and accessibility in news media. She has been published in journals such as Journalism Practice, Journalism Studies, Journalism, and Advertising Society Quarterly.
Jamila Bey
Jamila Bey is the editorial director of WHYY News. Bey over 20 years of experience at multiple news organizations, including NPR, Viacom/BET, and The Washington Post. She has worked as an editor, executive producer, reporter, host, and producer. Through undergrad, she worked at WDUQ-FM running the news breaks during “All Things Considered” and listened to every “Fresh Air” episode from 1996 to 2000. She went on to work at NPR’s “Morning Edition,” “Talk of the Nation,” and “Tell Me More” with Michel Martin.