On October 3, 2023, Dunlop Media’s Steve Dunlop moderated a panel of experts in a freewheeling discussion about the root causes of growing distrust of the news media. His guests were Gerard Baker of the Wall Street Journal; Joy Mayer of Trusting News; and Rod Hicks of the Society of Professional Journalists. The program was produced under the auspices of the Deadline Club, SPJ’s New York chapter.
Does ChatGPT Think You're Dead? - Beware of AI "Hallucinations"
Never let facts get in the way of a good story, the saying goes. Try asking AI to write about you, and you may see how un-factual the results really are. Length: 4:20
Read the print version of this podcast in our written commentary section..
The British crown jewels on display in the Tower of London. Photo by Annie Spratt via Unsplash.
THE "ROYAL WE" IN EXILE: How King Charles’s first speech portends a revamped communications style
In considering the passing of Queen Elizabeth from a language perspective, Steve Dunlop notes the long history of the “royal we,” which is likely to disappear from usage completely under Britain’s King Charles III. Should business communicators follow suit? Length: 4:00
Read the print version of this podcast in our written commentary section.
The inner workings of the mind are a favorite topic for creative artists to explore. At the Oscars, it happened by accident.
THE ALGEBRA OF THE ASSAULT AT THE OSCARS
You know about the “snap” at the Oscars. It’s time to look at the science - and unpack the psychological ghosts at play in this unrehearsed three-factor drama. We delve into the brain of the actor with longtime psychotherapist Stephanie Brodsky and stage and screen veterans Kevin Kilner and Jordan Baker.
Running time: 11:41
CREDITS
For educational purposes only. The third party excerpts in this podcast are brief and are covered by Fair Use.
“Real Time With Bill Maher,” HBO
Will Packer and Tiffany Haddish interviews, ABC News
“Everybody Hates Chris” theme, CBS Paramount Network Television
Chris Rock Oscars appearance, ABC-TV
“Good Hair” excerpt, HBO Films
Dr. Daniel Amen, PBS
“Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” theme, NBC Productions
“King Richard” excerpt, Warner Bros. Pictures
“A Streetcar Named Desire” excerpt, Warner Bros. Pictures
Marian Young Taylor, a/k/a Martha Deane, in an undated photo.
THE MOST FAMOUS FEMALE JOURNALIST ALMOST NO ONE REMEMBERS
Steve Dunlop tells the story of Marian Young Taylor, a/k/a Martha Deane, whose refusal to be pigeonholed led her to become a trailblazer for women in broadcast journalism. Her daily live interview program on New York’s WOR Radio, featuring some of the era’s most prominent figures, ran from 1941 to 1973. Excerpts of interviews with polar explorer Admiral Richard E. Byrd, 1953; filmmakers Lisa Chickering and Jeanne Porterfield,1957; actress Deborah Kerr, 1969, and “Bill,” founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, 1956. Features WOR jingle played by live studio band. Length: 5:00
Trust in the news media has declined by more than half over the last 50 years, according to Gallup. Composite image. Vintage TV photo by Sukhveer Hans/Unsplash.
BROADCAST NEWS AT 100: The Erosion of Trust
In this special podcast marking the 100th anniversary of broadcast news, Steve Dunlop explores the long decline in media trust with veteran producer Judith Bishop, author of Changing Channels: From Just The Facts To Outrageous Opinions. Together they trace developments in the history of the medium, with a particular focus on the last half century - and what, if anything, can be done to restore trust.
Some highlights on the timeline:
6:45 The pre-cable “Super Stations”
12:30 Early attacks on the press by Vice President Agnew
15:40 Historical antagonism between presidents and the press
18:30 The role of the urban/rural, blue state/red state divide
23:30 The start of the “happy news” era and the chase for ratings
28:00 The birth of CNN and the subsequent proliferation of news outlets
35:00 Elimination of the FCC’s Fairness Doctrine
38:00 The political affiliations of journalists
39:30 The rise of Fox, re-enactments, and checkbook journalism
47:10 Donald Trump and the news media
55:50 Combatting “fake news”
Scott Pelley sound clip courtesy CNN’s Reliable Sources. Historical audio clips and sounders covered by fair use. All other elements ©2020 Dunlop Media Inc. All rights reserved.
YOUR UNSEEN AUDIENCE: Four practical tips for remote video platforms
Whatever happens with COVID-19, we’re all adjusting to the reality that the era of the virtual business meeting is here to stay. There’s a large number of factors that go into developing effective on-camera presence on virtual video platforms Here are some that will start to improve your game quickly. Click through the image gallery, and on the podcast link below, to learn more.
Media commentary by Steve Dunlop
Audio clips courtesy CNBC and Fox Television, and are covered under Fair Use. Read the print version of this podcast in our written commentary section.
Learn about our remotely delivered training workshops here.
YOUR ONLINE LECTURE IS TELEVISION
Suddenly, educators have found themselves required to become ace online lecturers - in effect, television presenters. It’s a scary new role for which many are unprepared. We’re here to help, but meantime, here are four quick tips to start getting you up to speed.
Media commentary by Steve Dunlop
Audio clips courtesy NBC and PBS and covered under Fair Use. Read the print version of this podcast in our written commentary section.
Learn about our remotely delivered online lecture coaching here.
HOW TO TALK ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS
From nuclear accidents to infectious disease outbreaks - four basic principles communicators should follow in any health emergency
Media commentary by Steve Dunlop
Audio clips courtesy CBS News. Read the print version of this podcast in our written commentary section.
Learn about our remotely delivered coronavirus crisis workshops here.
I AM NOT A CROOK and other media miscues
The power of negative answers over positive ones is well demonstrated. Why do politicians and public speakers so often forget it?
Media commentary by Steve Dunlop
CLICKBAIT FOR A CAUSE
The social media sharing of a Sunday morning talk show segment demonstrates how a lowbrow headline can serve a higher purpose
Media commentary by Steve Dunlop, June 28, 2019
Audio clips are covered under fair use, and are courtesy of CNN’s Reliable Sources and The Walt Disney Company.
THE CAMERA NEVER BLINKS
An analysis of R. Kelly’s media meltdown, and becoming your own worst public enemy
Media commentary by Steve Dunlop, March 14, 2019
FAKE FRIENDS
Everything I need to know about Facebook I learned from a hit record. It’s why you probably won’t see me using the platform for quite a while - if ever.
Podcast version of a commentary by Steve Dunlop on December 6, 2012. Read the print version here.
Fake Friends, from 1983’s “Album,” by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Writer(s): Joan Jett, Kenneth Benjamin Laguna. Clip covered under Fair Use. LIsten to the full song here. Watch the music video here.
YOU ARE NOT THE STORY
As fed up as many reporters might be with President Trump, they do the public and their fellow journalists a disservice when they steal the spotlight at a press conference.
Commentary by Steve Dunlop, November 8, 2018.
SILENCE ISN'T GOLDEN
In the current toxic communications environment, staying quiet isn’t the answer. Telling your organization’s stories - clearly, passionately, and in large numbers – is.
Commentary by Steve Dunlop, August 21, 2018.
WHAT FAKE NEWS IS - AND ISN'T
We find it difficult to define one of the most popular hashtags of our time - because we are part of the problem.
Commentary by Steve Dunlop, May 2, 2018
THE SLOW DEATH OF THINKING
Fake news isn’t a disease, it’s a symptom. The real diagnosis starts between your ears
Commentary by Steve Dunlop, June 22, 2017
WHAT MARGARET THATCHER TAUGHT ME ABOUT NEWS
The question to ask about every story: what will it mean tomorrow?
Media commentary by Steve Dunlop