paulcrosstoronto’s Podcast

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 13

On propaganda passed off as news:  From May 3, 2019.  When the premier of Ontario went to New York City to visit influential corporations and appear on a tv talk show, his office made sure it did not advise Toronto news organizations until the day before the event. Whether local media needed to go, should have gone, or would have found real news value can be discussed.  But in the absence of legitimate media coverage, the premier's own audio-visual crew traveled with him, and posted public relations -- propaganda -- pieces on social media.  Would that be less unpalatable...if the premier was not so anti-media lately, even though he built his political brand on talk Radio? Makes fair use of bits of audio from Fox News tv; and Ontario News Now -- which is part of the premier's office, funded by the public. Commentary.

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 12

On High Definition Radio and Sports Play-byPlay.  From April 26, 2019.  High Definition Radio is just the latest attempt to enhance the sound of broadcast Radio.  But do listeners know about it?  Will broadcasters make it successful? Part one of at least two episodes related to HD Radio; this time, with a focus on the sound of sports play-by-play in HD Radio. Makes fair use of bits of actual play-by-play broadcasts of Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto Blue Jays games.  Copyright is owned and explicitly claimed in on-air broadcasts by the organizations involved.  Fair use of short pieces here for education and media analysis purposes. What does HD Radio sound like in comparison to AM Radio? Listen!

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 11

On Radio as a Source of Comfort.  From April 12, 2019.  Radio is a source of comfort and companionship.  It gives a listener a sense that they are not alone, and life goes on.  It may be even more important in times of personal trouble, as well as during times of local crisis. This episode, on Radio and its ability to offer comfort, is dedicated to the memory of Simeon Weber, a first-year Radio broadcasting student at Humber College. 

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 10

On False and Misleading News on the Air in Canada.  From April 5, 2019. Until a Supreme Court ruling in 1992, Canada had a Criminal Code law against spreading false or misleading news. Had that law not been found to be unconstitutional, would Canadians be facing criminal proceedings for some of the things they write or share on Twitter, Facebook, or other platforms? What about the false, staged stories passed off as real, included in Episode 9? If it's no longer a crime to disseminate false or misleading news in Canada, are there other guidelines news workers might follow? Yes. And what caused the law to change? Makes fair use of a bit from CBC Radio 1; refers to RTDNA Canada, Canadian Association of Broadcasters, CRTC Regulations for Radio, and CBC code of journalistic practices. 

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 9

On April Fools and Fake News.  From March 29, 2019.  In which I maintain it's inappropriate for Radio news and public affairs program makers to make up fake stories to broadcast on April 1.  If your currency with your listener is trust, it seems to me it's just wrong to fabricate stories and present them as if they are real! Makes fair use of bits from CBC Radio 1.

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 8

On declining to say his name. From March 22, 2019.  The prime minister of New Zealand will not participate in giving a mass murder terrorist the publicity he sought.  She will not speak his name.  And Radio listeners do not need to hear his name in every story about the case.  It will become a required part of the story at times -- when the story is about the court developments -- but even then, there's a way to focus the story. We had an approach in the big, tough rock'n'roll Top 40 Radio newsroom at 1050 CHUM Toronto that went back to the 70s.  Radio today might benefit from our historic approach. Makes fair use of some bits from Newstalk 1010 CFRB in Toronto.

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 7

On the New Golden Age of Audio:  From March 15, 2019.  From the 1920s to the 1950s, Drama on the Radio was a popular listening pastime.  Radio drama still is popular in many parts of the world.  But there's a new Golden Age of Audio drama, too.  It's in podcasts! Fair usage of bits of The Shadow; Suspense; X Minus One; Dead Air; Limetown; Tanis and Mind's Eye.

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 6

On International Women's Day:  One of the unsung great Women pioneers in Radio.   From March 8, 2019.  The first "Director of Talks" at BBC Radio was a woman.  She was recruited by BBC in 1926.  One of the programs she created in 1929 still airs today; 90 years later! So why don't Radio professionals, students and academics know about Hilda Matheson?

Makes use of bits of the "Week in Westminster" from BBC (2019).  Refers to "Radio Girls" by Sarah-Jane Stratford (New American Library, 2016), "Broadcasting" by Hilda Matheson (Home University Library, Thornton Butterworth, 1933) and my review https://paulcrossradio1.wordpress.com/2017/01/28/how-a-novel-about-radio-becomes-a-valuable-resource-for-teaching-and-learning-about-radio/ (2017)

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 5

"On reflections from PodCamp". From March 1, 2019.  Podcast makers and listeners gathered at Podcamp Toronto were treated to two days of presentations and discussions, and left with inspiration, ideas, guidance, and new friendships.  What a great event.  My follow-up here is about some of the take-aways, trends, and tips from Podcamp.  And I'm certainly not leaving out representation of two of my recent former students in the post-grad Radio and Media Production program at Humber College in Toronto, who were recognized at the second annual Canadian Podcasting Awards celebration during the weekend.  Have a listen!

Cross Talk: Season 2 Extra - Pop-up!

On the "Pop-up" podcast.  From February 26, 2019.  For discussion.  Can a pop-up podcast of a limited number of episodes -- a one-off, or a very short series -- be compatible with your brand while showing some diversity in your content? It won't be suitable for everyone, but I think there are some good possibilities. There was some reaction pro and con, when I raised the prospect in my presentation at Podcamp Toronto February 24th.  Here are some more thoughts about it, including the way I presented the prospect at Podcamp.  Pop up:  A short run related to your main show; at the end of the run, you just don't make that particular product anymore...but your main brand carries on.