paulcrosstoronto’s Podcast

Cross Talk: Season Five, Episode Four

On 100 years of Radio. From November 20, 2020.  Radio is now in its second 100 years.  In the months following the start of XWA Montreal in December 1919, radio stations were coming on the air in the United States.  WWJ in Detroit and KDKA in Pittsburg have their official starts in August and November 1920.  Had 2020 not been under the cloud of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, maybe the celebrations of their 100th anniversaries would have been more high profile in the broadcast industry and related academia.  This time...100 years of radio, including XWA; WWJ; KDKA. And 98 years of news on BBC. For educational purposes.  Makes fair dealing use of bits from official anniversary videos from Canada Post -- about XWA -- WWJ, KDKA and BBC Radio.  For more on XWA Montreal please check Season 3, Episode 9. (1920s microphone image taken from Pinterest)

Cross Talk Season Five, Episode 3

How conservative talk radio hosts react to the apparent outcome of the U-S election. From November 13, 2020.  It's no surprise that when high-profile talk radio hosts returned to the airwaves on Monday, November 9th -- two days after it became apparent that Donald Trump would not be re-elected -- they came out against Joe Biden and in support of Trump's efforts to stay in office.  This time, a listen in to some of what they say as Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin and Michael Savage open their microphones for the first time since the news of Saturday, November 7th.  For educational purposes.  Makes fair dealing use of bits of audio from the Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin and Savage Nation shows.  For earlier examinations of the influence of conservative talk radio hosts in the U-S, please visit Season Four, Episodes Two and Four.

Cross Talk: Season Five, Episode Two

How Radio Covers the U-S Election:  From November 5, 2020.  Coverage of local elections is very important to local radio stations all over the world.  Whether they provide full coverage as an election night show, special updates throughout the counting, or limit it to extra reporting in their newscasts, the coverage is important to listeners, radio workers, and to the reputation of the station in the community.  For educational purposes:  an examination of content from coverage of the U-S election on election night November 3rd, and follow-up on the morning of November 4th on radio stations in Toronto, in the U-S, and beyond. Makes fair dealing use of bits of audio from WABC New York; WNYC New York; WTAM Cleveland; WLW Cincinnati; WBBM Chicago; KFI Los Angeles; Newstalk 1010 CFRB Toronto; 680 News Toronto; CBC Radio One Toronto; BBC World Service London; RJR Kingston Jamaica.

Cross Talk: Season Five, Episode 1

Just in time for #WorldAudioDramaDay 2020: I'm starting Season Five! My newest examination of what happened...and what did not happen...when War of the Worlds was performed live on radio on October 30, 1938.  As I have argued in Season 1, Episodes 7 and 8 and Season 3, Episode 9...the broadcast did not cause "mass panic". But it served the interests of the newspaper industry of the day to manufacture a crisis of confidence against radio. This time, more on the historic treatment of the broadcast, including a look at how some podcasts are covering War of the Worlds.  I'm starting to hear other researchers pointing out:  there was not a mass panic. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of snippets from the CBC Gem trailer for War of the Worlds (2020 tv series); The Uncoverup Conspiracy Cast podcast (July 31, 2020); Radio Lab (October 2018); Everything War of the Worlds (October 2020). 

I highly recommend a listen to the Radio Lab episode; and to the Uncoverup series.

There are still so many more layers to the story of War of the Worlds.

 

You Won't Hear This on the News - Episode 4

Donald Trump has been given hours of free airtime.  Unchallenged, unquestioned, un-fact-checked...on right wing talk radio.  On hundreds of radio stations, with a reach way into the millions.  But print, online, tv and other audio media were waiting to see what would happen on a one network "tv" show for his first "on camera" interview since returning from the hospital.  What happens earlier in the day on radio is really significant.  But you won't hear this on the news.

You Won't Hear This on the News - Episode 3

NBA players, coaches and team owners are leading where elected officials and other influential citizens are failing.  It's time for more people to speak up and to take action.   What kinds of action might be productive toward creating change?  Actions that have impact on the finances and operations of people and organizations that are so far failing to end systemic racism within their spheres.  Some suggestions here.   From August 30, 2020.  Unscripted.

You Won't Hear this on the News - Episode Two

My unscripted thoughts on finding the story about Michelle Obama's remarkable speech to the Democratic National Convention missing from the news on the radio on the very station that carried the speech, and on the radio in Toronto the next morning.  It's the most significant story of the day, in my opinion.

Season 4 Extra 1: You Won't Hear This on the News - Episode 1: Buffalo's Columbus statue

Unscripted, live-to-tape commentary moments after the conclusion of a news conference carried live on Newsradio 930 WBEN in Buffalo New York, received over the air in Toronto.  The statue of Columbus in Buffalo is being taken down and moved; not in any attempt at dialogue for the times in which we live, but in order to preserve it and replace it with something else celebrating one community in that city.  I wonder how the mayor really feels about it, and about his role in the situation.  

Cross Talk: Season Four, Episode 17

"Thank you, Radio."  From May 15, 2020.  Radio stations around the world have been providing more than the latest news during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Many are performing at their peak, under difficult circumstances, in trying times.  Several recent episodes have highlighted and examined various aspects of local radio's response to the crisis -- notably, episodes 14, 13, 11 and 10.  Today...to end this season...I'm saying "Thank you, Radio."

For educational purposes. Makes fair use of bits of audio from Newstalk 1010 Toronto, a spot produced for Sleep Country Canada, and audio provided by CJRT JazzFM Toronto.

Final episode of Season Four; there are now 60 episodes in total.

Cross Talk: Season Four, Episode 16

"On toxic talk radio." From May 7, 2020.  In Season 4, Episode Two I raise the concept of "toxic" talk radio; radio that is extreme in its philosophy and hostile toward people with differing approaches and opinions.  The talk radio we have in Canada is mild by comparison; even the politically right-wing talk shows here pale by comparison to the extremism typical in the examples given in this episode. Some radio and communications students have heard of some of the hosts sampled here; many have heard, or heard of, none.  Everyone in radio and mass communication should have some awareness.   These hosts are powerful; they influence opinion and actions.  Makes fair use of samples from the Mark Levin show, Savage Nation with Michael Savage, and the Rush Limbaugh show.  For educational purposes.