“The only security of all is in a free press.”

― Thomas Jefferson

In today’s political climate it is hard not to have strong feelings about “The Media.” It touches almost every aspect of our lives, and can influence what we believe, what we watch, and who we vote for. Whether it is “mainstream,” “social,” “right-wing,” or “left-wing,” the media is something that is on all of our minds, almost all the time. This week, during a special Election Day episode, Kelly and Becca have a conversation about the state of media and journalism with local reporter Marisa Hempel. She fills us in on what it is like to build a TV station in the middle of a pandemic, how advertising can make or break media budgets, and ways that social media algorithms create information bubbles that determine what news appears in your feeds and reinforce your biases. She also gives us a behind the scenes snapshot of what Election Night looks like when you’re a reporter, and shares where we can find all of those local election results.

Recorded via Zoom in Berea, KY | Edited by Kelly Smith | Music composed and performed by Elly Green | Artwork by Jessica Holly