paulcrosstoronto’s Podcast

Cross Talk: Season 3, Episode 3

"On a Reporter's dilemma." From October 11, 2019.  When a wave of environmental protest spread through dozens of cities around the world in early October, listeners were well aware it was coming.  Radio reported extensively for days before it happened.  Reporters dutifully staked out bridges, waiting for the protest to start.  But what to report? In Toronto, protestors did not rush a major bridge and block traffic. No! They moved out onto the bridge...after police blocked off traffic so the demonstration could happen. That's not how it was reported, though.  Some thoughts on that story, and on reporting on mass protests.  Makes fair dealing use of bits of audio air checks from 680News, NewsTalk 1010, CBC Radio 1, and CTV. 

Cross Talk: Season 3 Episode 2

On how "There are no breaks in Radio". A listener should never hear a host of a podcast or radio show talk about taking a "break" or doing something "after this break". If mid-rolls or stop sets "break" your program, that's a fault of the way they're written, structured or delivered. It's poor program execution.  Because they are, of course...part of the flow you want the listener to hear! Follows up a conversation started on Twitter, advancing the case I've made for years: the term "break" does not belong on the air.  Reference to @airchecker. Makes Fair Dealing use of audio bits from NPR Politics podcast (2019), Blue Coal presents "The Shadow" (1937), TM Productions "You" campaign demo (1975), History of the 90s podcast (2019).

Cross Talk: Season 3 Episode 1

"On the difference between News and Talk". Listening to talk radio is not the same as listening to the news.  At a time when traditional mass media news is under attack, it may be even more important for broadcasters to help listeners and viewers be aware:  Is this news? Or it is talk? Makes Fair Dealing use of short bits of audio from Fox tv, CNN, BBC Scotland, Newstalk 1010 CFRB, AM640 Toronto, Canadian Press national newscast. 

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 15

On the Future of Listening.  From May 17, 2019.  Listeners will continue to find things to...listen to.  Final episode of season two.  Season three is coming in September 2019.  Makes fair use of audio bits from Downton Abbey, Audible spot, Serial Box show intro.

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 14

On comedy and satire in political commentary.  From May 10, 2019. The further away news organizations get from real news analysis, and the deeper into acrimonious opinion panels...the more room they make for someone else to do the analysis.  Jon Stewart found a huge hole to fill with deep dives on issues of the day, peppered with biting commentary.  He called it "fake news" when he found some news organizations upset with his style.  There's still lots of room today; since most tv "news" channels feature opinionated hosts, and panelists with entrenched positions.    Most of what we see on "news" channels is not news; it's "talk". So it's a good thing that nightly or weekly shows can take time to dig deep into an issue, and wring it tight with sharp commentary. Makes fair use of bits from CNN Crossfire, The Daily Show, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, The Rick Mercer Report.

 

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.