Why Karen Attiah’s victory against the ‘Washington Post’ matters
As a Black opinion journalist, I was especially heartened to see an arbitrator order her rehiring. But it’s also a victory for all opinionators stuck dealing with clueless managers.
Switching Codes w/Eric Deggans
I'm a journalism professor, TV critic, media analyst, longtime musician and critic at large at NPR. This unites my essays on TV, media, music, race, journalism, pop culture and more, navigating the codes we all switch thru in life.
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Latest posts
Jason Arday, Stephen A. and NABJ: How today’s toxic argument culture ruins everything
What does the death of a disgraced academic and criticism media’s pre-eminent sports commentator have in common? They’re both reflections a pervasive argument culture that is strangling public debate
Why you should watch HBO's 'Lanterns,' even if you hate superhero TV series
HBO's Lanterns, another step in the attempt to reinvent DC's TV and film universe, is also a boldfaced argument for continuing to tell superhero stories on the small screen.
Oprah speaks on the 40th anniversary of 'The Oprah Winfrey Show'
In an interview I conducted for Emmy magazine, the Queen of All Media reveals how she built the show which made her a billionaire and speaks on platforming Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz.
Suggested updates to the Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics are here
I've worked with experts to develop suggested changes. Here's your chance to weigh in and prove people still care about journalism ethics in modern media.
Lessons learned in the 12 months since I became a full time professor
It's been a wonderful, enervating, gratifying year since I shifted from full-time journalism and teaching part time to becoming a college professor. Here's a few things I've learned so far.
'60 Minutes' and the death of expertise: The real reason why the show's new hires are so troubling
As controversial CBS News editor in chief Bari Weiss and new showrunner Nick Bilton hire a raft of new correspondents the question rises: What message do they send about what the organization values?
'The Daily Show' at age 30: Why it remains the most relevant comedy in late night TV.
As the show celebrates its 30th anniversary this week, I fanboy a bit over a program I have admired for decades
‘The Odyssey’ and the history of storytelling: How Chris Nolan’s epic meets our cultural moment
Those who whine about the multicultural casting and Americanisms of Christopher Nolan's blockbuster 'The Odyssey' are missing the point. But not for the reasons you may think.
A few questions – and cheeky answers – raised by this year’s Emmy nominations
After gabbing about the nominations on various NPR shows this week, I had a few questions. What's up with diversity and The Pitt's nominees? Is Netflix facing a growing mediocrity problem? And more.
Ken Burns, America's documentarian, says the lesson of the USA's 250th birthday is about unity
Divided as we seem right now, Burns preaches the optimism of an America with a long history of uniting after deep divisions over 250 years.
Louis C.K., 48 Hours, America’s 250th: Spending July 4th musing on myths the country tells itself
As America's 250th birthday gets underway, random viewings of Louis CK's new Netflix special and 48 Hours reruns remind me the impact mythmaking has in our national conciousness