paulcrosstoronto’s Podcast

On media literacy: an introduction to the No Embargo podcast

From October 30, 2026

I'm launching Season 10 of Cross Talk during Media Literacy Week in Canada and an international media literacy awareness campaign by UNESCO. 

What happened when the War of the Worlds drama was broadcast on the radio in the U-S and Canada on October 30th 1938 is in my view the greatest failure in media literacy of the 20th century.  In the vernacular of the 2020s we call this a "fail". The researchers of the time concluded people who thought there really was an alien invasion and the "thousands" who felt some panic lacked "critical ability".  In applying that concept to media consumption today we would call that media literacy.

With this episode I also want to introduce you to my latest podcast project with my friend Trevor Campbell.  We call it No Embargo. This episode includes our deep dive into what happened -- and what did not -- those 88 years ago.

Here are the links to all six of my previous episodes exploring aspects of the War of the Worlds story:

2023: https://paulcrosstoronto.podbean.com/e/cross-talk-season-8-episode-2/

2021:  https://paulcrosstoronto.podbean.com/e/cross-talk-season-six-episode-one/

2020: https://paulcrosstoronto.podbean.com/e/cross-talk-season-5-episode-1/

2019:  https://paulcrosstoronto.podbean.com/e/cross-talk-season-3-episode-5/

2018:  https://paulcrosstoronto.podbean.com/e/cross-talk-season-1-episode-8/

2018:  https://paulcrosstoronto.podbean.com/e/cross-talk-season-1-episode-7/

You can find all episodes of No Embargo and other resources and subscribe at:

No Embargo

This episode includes audio from the original 1938 broadcast of War of the Worlds.  Fair dealing use.  For educational purposes. Commentary and analysis.

Today: Why are we making No Embargo?

Introduction: Trevor Campbell and Paul Cross discuss why we’re making this series No Embargo and how we hope it has value to the listener.  Trevor is a public relations specialist.  Paul is a veteran news broadcaster.  Through our professional and career perspectives we unfilter news and spin examining how some issues come to be in the news, how they’re covered and communicated in the news, and the communications approaches or strategies that may be at play in how they become news.

No Embargo - Unfiltering news and spin

Commentary and analysis. Opinions are our own. 

Today: Remembering September 11, 2001. 

From September 9, 2026. Trevor Campbell and Paul Cross remember the moment they heard about the tragic events in New York and how newsrooms and the public reacted.

This episode contains additional material not included in this week's No Embargo Advance Episode 7.

Commentary and analysis. Opinions are our own. 

No Embargo - Unfiltering news and spin

Coming soon wherever you get your podcasts

Today: Our first grab-bag of current issues including the trade situation, recent by-election outcomes, a shout-out for good news coverage, and a start at remembering 9-11.

From September 9, 2026.

No Embargo - Unfiltering news and spin

Commentary and analysis.  Opinions are our own. More episodes coming soon with our official launch -- wherever you get your podcasts.

Today: Is it a trade war? And how much of it is news?

From September 2, 2026.  As Canada and the United States struggle to re-negotiate a free trade deal, the dispute is being commonly referred to in the news across various platforms as a "trade war".

Trevor Campbell and Paul Cross question whether that's an accurate or appropriate description of the situation and examine news judgement around how the story is being framed and reported.

No Embargo 

Commentary and analysis.  More episodes coming soon, wherever you get your podcasts.

We're getting closer to the formal launch of our new podcast series No Embargo.

Today: To block -- or not to block -- a data centre

From August 5, 2026: Plans and proposals to build data centres in various communities are sparking controversy. But is the concern more acute because people equate the centres with negative aspects of AI - Artificial Intelligence?

While digging into one case currently in the news in Canada, Trevor Campbell and Paul Cross discover there are other data centres already in operation nearby. Why aren't they in the news? Is it successful communication; a communication failure; or is local news media missing the stories?

No Embargo: the podcast featuring a public relations professional and a radio news pro. Media literacy, narrative strategy, and behind‑the‑scenes truth‑telling from two insiders who unpack how stories develop - honest talk, nothing held back. 

Commentary and analysis.  More episodes coming soon, wherever you get your podcasts.

As Trevor Campbell and Paul Cross move closer to the full launch of the No Embargo podcast here's your latest taste of what's coming.

No Embargo: the podcast featuring a public relations professional and a radio news pro. Media literacy, narrative strategy, and behind‑the‑scenes truth‑telling from two insiders who unpack how stories develop - honest talk, nothing held back. 

Today: A public relations worker interrupts a radio interview heard across the country.

From July 29, 2026: What's memorable about a national radio interview on As It Happens on CBC Radio is not the responses of an Ontario cabinet minister being asked about perceived issues with communication to communities affected by forest fires. Instead, it's the moment when a communications staff member interrupts the interview and abruptly shuts it down.  

Commentary and analysis.

The CBC story linked here includes the full audio, as it was heard over the radio on July 21, 2026. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/jill-dunlop-as-it-happens-9.7279725

Coming soon wherever you get your podcasts: No Embargo

 

Here's another taste of what's coming soon as Trevor Campbell and Paul Cross prepare to launch No Embargo - the podcast featuring a public relations professional and a radio news pro. 

Media literacy, narrative strategy, and behind‑the‑scenes truth‑telling from two insiders who unpack how stories develop - honest talk, nothing held back: No Embargo.

Today: a good news story from summer 2026

From July 20, 2026:  Millions of people across Canada and around the world are talking about the hottest music sensation of the moment - Angine de Poitrine. The costumed duo from Quebec is taking the world by storm, show after show, and clip after clip. Is mainstream media catching the story and the phenomenon that's spreading over social media? Is their appearance in each community being recognized as newsworthy? Can they get their music played on the radio?

Commentary and analysis.

Coming soon wherever you get your podcasts: No Embargo

 

Teaser from Trevor Campbell and Paul Cross

A news guy and a public relations strategist decode what makes news and why.

 

Media literacy, narrative strategy, and behind‑the‑scenes truth‑telling from two insiders who unpack how stories develop - honest talk, nothing held back: No Embargo.

 

Today: The end of NHL broadcasts on conventional over-the-air free TV

 

From June 19, 2026: As we build up content and resources for No Embargo here's another example of what the show is about.  The end of free NHL broadcasts is a major change after nearly 75 years.  Starting in fall 2026, NHL games will not be available on free over-the-air conventional TV; so they'll also be gone from channels on basic cable packages.  Viewers will have to pay to see NHL games.  Trevor and Paul agree that's a huge change, and it's an issue of public interest.  We break down the communications approach in the way the information was released by the parties involved and talk about what comes next in this significant change around availability of a cultural product.

 

Commentary and analysis.

 

No Embargo. Coming soon, wherever you get podcasts.

Coming soon from Trevor Campbell and Paul Cross: No Embargo

A news guy and a public relations strategist decode what makes news and why.

 

Media literacy, narrative strategy, and behind‑the‑scenes truth‑telling from two insiders who unpack how stories develop - honest talk, nothing held back: No Embargo.

 

Today:  What’s next after the death of six radio stations

From July 10, 2026: Trevor and Paul take a deep dive on what could happen next now that six information-oriented radio stations owned by one corporation have been shut down and taken off the air.  In some of the affected cities that radio station was the only all-news or news and talk station in the market. As the public outcry builds on social media and local business and municipal leaders recognize the loss, where is the broadcast regulator? The Canadian Radio-Television Telecommunications Commission – the CRTC – is silent so far.

Commentary and analysis.

Coming soon, wherever you get podcasts.