Podcast by Jaci Clement
22 April 2025
How did we get from 30% profit margins to paywalls, nonprofit newsrooms, and creators funding investigative journalism one Substack post at a time?
In this episode of FMC Fast Chat, host Jaci Clement sits down with Richard Tofel — founding general manager and former president of ProPublica, now leading Gallatin Advisory and teaching at Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health — for a candid, eye-opening conversation about the fractured economics of journalism, how credibility impacts revenue, and what’s really at stake for democracy.
🔥 Highlights include:
📌 Whether in the newsroom, a boardroom, or just trying to be an informed citizen, this episode will change how you think about the news — and what you choose to trust.
FMC Fast Chat is the official podcast of the Fair Media Council. Guest inquiries: bookings@fairmediacouncil.org
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05 February 2025
Join Fair Media Council CEO and Executive Director Jaci Clement as she sits down with KNX 97.1 FM Los Angeles News and Programming Director Alex Silverman for an inside look at the power of local radio during emergencies. In this episode of FMC Fast Chat, Alex reveals how the team at the 24/7 all-news radio station covered the California wildfires while drawing striking comparisons with New York’s Hurricane Sandy.
In this episode, you'll discover:
Whether you're a news enthusiast or simply curious about what happens behind the scenes during a crisis, Fire on the Air offers a compelling look at the indispensable role of radio news in our society.
Tune in now to explore how local media keeps our communities safe and informed.
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21 January 2025
On this episode of FMC Fast Chat, host Jaci Clement welcomes renowned First Amendment scholar Clay Calvert for a timely conversation on the myths, challenges, and realities of free speech in the digital age. From the Supreme Court’s decision on the TikTok ban to the responsibilities that come with free expression, this episode breaks down what the First Amendment protects—and what it doesn’t.
What you’ll learn:
🔹 The biggest misconception about the First Amendment — and why it’s important to understand.
🔹 How the TikTok ban reflects growing concerns over national security and data privacy.
🔹 The balance between free speech and responsibility in today’s digital-first world.
🔹 Why social media platforms can moderate content without violating free speech rights.
🔹 How to stay media savvy in a world dominated by misinformation and social media addiction.
Whether you’re passionate about free speech, curious about how laws shape our digital lives, or simply looking to become a more informed citizen, this episode delivers the insights you need.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
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15 January 2025
In this must-hear episode of FMC Fast Chat, host Jaci Clement interviews Amy Mitchell, founding executive director of the Center for News Technology and Innovation and a leading voice in global media policy. Together, they unpack the complexities of today’s digital news landscape and the urgent need to bring journalists, technologists, policymakers, and the public together to craft meaningful solutions.
🔹 Key Highlights:
Join the conversation shaping the future of journalism and media accountability. Listen now, share and subscribe to support FMC’s mission to advocate for quality news and build a media-savvy society!
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24 December 2024
In this episode of FMC Fast Chat, Fair Media Council CEO and Executive Director Jaci Clement sits down with Michael Powell — an acclaimed journalist whose career spans The Washington Post to The New York Times and now The Atlantic. Together, they examine the shifting tides of journalism, the erosion of big newsrooms, and the rise of digital media. Michael offers insights into how reporters find and craft powerful stories, emphasizing the importance of fairness, strong reporting, and genuine character portrayal. They also discuss challenges faced by young journalists today, the role of editors, and how democracy intertwines with the state of the press.
Whether you’re an avid media enthusiast or a casual news consumer, this conversation reveals what’s truly at stake when preserving quality journalism. Listen now and learn how to stay informed, navigate disinformation, and understand the evolving media landscape — all courtesy of the Fair Media Council, your resource for news literacy and quality media advocacy.
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10 December 2024
Over the past thirty years, monumental changes have pushed the media further from its core mission of serving the public interest. Political pressures, commercial imperatives, deregulation, and the concentration of immense capital in just a few hands have converged to distort the flow of information and weaken the media’s ability to hold power to account. As a result, trust erodes, civic life suffers, and those without influence are increasingly marginalized.
In this episode of FMC Fast Chat, Jaci Clement speaks with Natalie Fenton —professor of media and communications at Goldsmiths, University of London, co-founder of the Media Reform Coalition in the UK, and author of Democratic Delusions: How the Media Hollows Out Democracy and What We Can Do About It — to explore the ways a weakened media system harms our democracy and how reimagining the media landscape can help rebuild trust, transparency, and fairness. This is a conversation about understanding where we went wrong, who truly benefits from our current media system, and how we can chart a path toward a future that finally puts the public interest front and center.
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