A conversation with Claes H. de Vreese, Joan Shorenstein Fellow (fall 2017) and Professor and Chair of Political Communication at the University of Amsterdam, about his new research paper on political journalism in a populist age.

The paper, can be read in full at: https://shorensteincenter.org/political-journalism-populist-age/

In the paper, de Vreese provides an overview of the types and causes of populist movements. He offers 10 tips for how journalists can best cover them. Using scholarly research on populist communication around the globe as a starting point, de Vreese provides guidance to help journalists think about issues such as how much coverage a candidate warrants, covering policy over communication style, and the importance of historical and comparative context.

Edward Morris, Professor of Practice in the Department of Transmedia at Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, discussed how art can complement and further the goals of activism during a visit to the Shorenstein Center. 

Morris works with photography, video, writing, and installation, in collaboration with his wife Susannah Sayler as Sayler/Morris. In 2006 Sayler/Morris co-founded the Canary Project, a collaborative that produces visual media and artworks that deepen public understanding of climate change and other ecological issues.

Examples of the artwork discussed in the talk can be found at www.shorensteincenter.org/edwardmorris. 

Alexandra Petri, author of The Washington Post’s ComPost blog, brought laughs and her observations about comedy to the Shorenstein Center. This Shorenstein Center Speaker Series event was recorded November 7, 2017, at Harvard Kennedy School. 

Marvin Kalb, distinguished journalist, author, and the founding director of the Shorenstein Center, discussed President Vladimir Putin and his relationship with President Donald Trump, Russian involvement in the U.S. election, and more during a visit to the Shorenstein Center. Kalb also shared some of his experiences living and working in Russia following Stalin’s death in his new book, The Year I Was Peter the Great: 1956—Khruschev, Stalin’s Ghost, and a Young American in Russia, in a conversation with Shorenstein Center Director Nicco Mele. This Shorenstein Center Speaker Series event was recorded November 7, 2017, at Harvard Kennedy School. 

Author Michael Pollan discussed the Farm Bill’s far-reaching impact on the U.S. food system and the environment, how journalists can better cover food policy, and more during a visit to the Shorenstein Center. This Shorenstein Center Speaker Series event was recorded October 31, 2017, at Harvard Kennedy School.

Nancy Scola, senior technology reporter for Politico, discussed the regulation of tech platforms, their role in the 2016 election, cyber security, and more in a conversation with Nicco Mele, Shorenstein Center Director. This Shorenstein Center Speaker Series event was recorded October 24, 2017, at Harvard Kennedy School. 

Jackie Calmes, White House editor for the Los Angeles Times Washington bureau, discussed the evolution of conservative media and its relationship with the GOP, and the challenges of covering the White House, during a visit to the Shorenstein Center.  Calmes also discussed the historical roots of conservative media, its messaging about race, funding and advertising for conservative outlets, and more. This Shorenstein Center Speaker Series event was recorded October 17, 2017, at Harvard Kennedy School. 

Bob Schieffer, CBS News contributor, former Face the Nation host, and 2015-2016 Walter Shorenstein Media & Democracy Fellow, discussed his new book, Overload: Finding the Truth in Today’s Deluge of News, during a visit to the Shorenstein Center. He also shared his thoughts on the 2016 election, media coverage of the White House, and the future of news in a conversation with Nicco Mele, Shorenstein Center director. This Shorenstein Center Speaker Series event was recorded October 10, 2017, at Harvard Kennedy School. 

Gary Liu, CEO of the South China Morning Post, discussed the Hong-Kong-based news outlet and its audience, and how he thinks about organizational transformation. Prior to joining SCMP, Liu was the CEO of Digg, where he led the startup’s transformation from aggregator to news platform. Previously, he was head of Spotify Labs, where he managed strategy for global markets. This Shorenstein Center Speaker Series event was recorded October 3, 2017, at Harvard Kennedy School. 

Nancy Youssef, national security correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, discussed the relations between the U.S. and a number of countries, including North Korea, as well as press access and President Trump’s approach to foreign policy, during a visit to the Shorenstein Center. This Shorenstein Center Speaker Series event was recorded September 26, 2017, at Harvard Kennedy School.

Apologies for some audio quality issues during the audience Q&A.