We all know what media censorship is… or do we? How can journalists and the public respond when individuals are subjected to verbal smears and online harassment or barred from press briefings? And what of media outlets that mimic the look and feel of news but abandon respected journalistic practices of balance, accuracy and fact checking?
In the second episode of The Future of Journalism, hosts Julie Béguin and Jackie Imas are joined by academic and former journalist, Dr Ayala Panievsky. Her book The New Censorship was published earlier this year.
Dr Panievsky describes how new forms of media censorship are more subtle – but no less effective – than traditional methods. This is having a detrimental impact on trust, on the way journalists do their work, and even on the stories they cover.
She calls for journalists and the public to work together to challenge populist tactics, hold politicians accountable and combat disinformation and propaganda. After all she says, without a healthy information environment how can we have informed public debate about the issues that affect our societies, from climate change to immigration and the economy?
Tune in to learn how the media landscape is being manipulated from within and discover the actionable steps journalists and the public can take to fight back. Discover too why Dr Panievsky thinks it’s time for journalists to make news fun.
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Guest Bio
Dr Ayala Panievsky is a researcher specialising in media under attack, right-wing populism and democratic backsliding. She is currently a Presidential Fellow in the Journalism Department at the City University of London, a Research Associate at the Sociology Department at the University of Cambridge, and a Research Fellow at the Centre for the Renewal of Israeli Democracy.
As a former journalist, she works with journalists worldwide to improve the future of news in times of sophisticated threats to democracy, equality, freedom, and justice. She recently launched Newsroom CPR (Covering Populism Right), a concrete, practical guide for journalists and newsrooms who cover populist authoritarianism.
Her book The New Censorship: How the War on the Media is Taking Us Down has been described by Alan Rusbridger, former editor-in-chief at The Guardian, as: ‘An essential wake up call for anyone who cares about healthy democracies – and the media’s role in creating and sustaining them’. Published by Footnote Press, it is available in hardback and ebook here.
Music credits
Dark Mystery Piano by Universfield via Pixabay
Instrumental by Zharovbeatz via Pixabay
Better Today by Grand Project via Pixabay
