rant · moment 7 of 21
Why Investigative Journalists Can't Sell Themselves
from 2017, A Year Of Love And Peace · #76
Audio-only archive episode — no video to seek.
3 minTim reflects on how the show grew out of car rides to Long Island discussing blacklisted journalists, and how many of these researchers, despite doing great work, are socially awkward and bad at self-promotion compared to figures like Alex Jones.
- 15:39Tim identifies a good investigative journalist trapped in a climate where he feels forced to master everything else.
- 16:07Serious journalists now feel obligated to build a brand on social media platforms like Snapchat.
- 16:28Russ Baker is very good at journalism but lacks the air presence to succeed on recurring cable news spots.
- 16:43Tim recalls starting the podcast from conversations in Ray's unheated car, reading books and discussing blacklisted media figures.
- 17:35Many investigative journalists are socially inept and awkward, unable to handle themselves outside their specific skill.
- 18:06These journalists lack self-promotion skills and work ethic, which is why Alex Jones has succeeded where others haven't.
- 18:18Part of what makes integrity work is also figuring out how to get your message heard in the modern media landscape.