After ‘S-Town’ Lawsuit, Brian Reed Investigates the State of Journalism in New Show

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As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in the ever-evolving world of podcasts and journalism, I find myself deeply intrigued by Brian Reed‘s latest project, “Question Everything.” Having followed his groundbreaking work on “S-Town,” I can attest to the gripping narratives he crafts and the thought-provoking questions he raises.

In 2018, Brian Reed, a journalist, found himself embroiled in a lawsuit regarding his highly acclaimed work, “S-Town,” a podcast he had hosted and produced. The podcast had quickly gained popularity the previous year, shattering listenership records, receiving high praise, and igniting discussions about consent and privacy involving its deceased subject. However, the Peabody Award-winning series was subsequently faced with a claim from the estate of the podcast’s subject, who alleged that Reed had breached Alabama’s right to publicity law.

To prevail in their argument, [the parties involved] needed to assert that S-Town was not considered journalism from a legal standpoint, according to Reed. This led him to ponder the fundamental aspects of what constitutes journalism, an exercise he had never engaged in before.

2020 saw the resolution of the lawsuit, as expressed by the estate having no more issues regarding the podcast. However, Reed continued to contemplate questions that surfaced during the ordeal. This encounter served as a catalyst for his newest venture, an extensive exploration of journalism—its strengths and weaknesses—entitled Question Everything, which premieres on Thursday via KCRW. The show delves into the murky aspects of journalism: ethical quandaries, the stressors confronting journalists, personal ethics in practice, and whether such non-fiction storytelling can impact society positively at a time when trust in media is at an all-time low.

In the opening of his podcast, Reed initiates an introspective dialogue about himself and his most prominent piece of work, S-Town. During the first episode, Reed engages with Gay Alcorn, a critic who harshly criticized S-T Town in a 2017 Guardian article as “morally questionable.” They delve into Alcorn’s concerns about consent after the subject of S-Town, John B. McLemore, took his own life during the early stages of production, as well as the reasoning behind discussing McLemore’s personal matters, and why they deemed this story about a private citizen important enough to share.

Reed clarifies that their conversation doesn’t equate to an apology for S-Town. He remains content and proud of the work he and his team accomplished. However, he found it insightful to realize how two experienced journalists could perceive a story and its approach so differently.

Following episodes delve into the ways top journalists carry out their duties amidst a backdrop of political bias, low trust, and widespread misinformation. In one instance, during a journalist panel at a Brooklyn wine shop, host of “This American Life,” Ira Glass, recalls that when he first joined journalism, he believed that by providing facts, he could sway people’s opinions and instigate change. However, he admits, “I now feel like what I’ve witnessed is that’s not the case.

In a different broadcast, Reed converses with Barton Gellman, a Pulitzer Prize laureate known for exposing extensive NSA surveillance through Edward Snowden’s leaked documents in 2013. Recently, Gellman left journalism to work at NYU Law’s Brennan Center for Justice. According to Reed, Gellman experienced a degree of doubt regarding the impact of truth and the ability of journalists to influence society’s events. In upcoming episodes, Reed will feature Isaac Saul, the founder of Tangle News, who, according to Reed, has contributed significantly to helping American families find common ground amidst political disagreements, as well as two newspaper employees from Alabama who were detained for a story they published in 2023.

In the course of his discussions and news coverage, Reed has discovered that several fundamental journalism principles are broadly accepted, such as accuracy, transparency, accountability, and minimizing harm. However, other values like objectivity and impartiality are subject to debate. Some view these as inviolable, while others find them ridiculous or even detrimental, definitely not helpful.

Reed aims to establish a platform that encourages journalists to critically assess their own work, welcome constructive criticism, and engage in self-evaluation, as he explains in the inaugural episode of Question Everything. When asked about the progress in getting journalists to adopt this introspective mindset, Reed responds cautiously, “Time will tell.” However, he expresses optimism, stating, “We’ve had enough successes that I feel hopeful.

One specific group that Reed has been engaging is esteemed journalists he highly regards. He’s found the emotions he’s encountered in this process unexpected. “There seems to be a significant and almost monumental shift occurring within journalism right now,” he states, “yet I’ve realized its depth surpasses what I initially thought.” Some of his sources, whom he regarded as journalistic icons, have expressed confusion about the current state of affairs. Reed notes, “It’s somewhat comforting, in a twisted way, to know that respected figures who have pondered this longer than me are also uncertain and bewildered, but it’s also disconcerting.

The podcast will be launched every two weeks, featuring 26 episodes during its first year, and Reed anticipates its longevity with numerous additional episodes in the future. This marks the inaugural project from Reed’s fresh venture, Placement Theory, established alongside fellow veteran of “This American Life”, Robyn Semien. The objective of this company is to nurture groundbreaking, visionary audio narratives. One approach they plan to employ: each story being told by a reporter or host who is uniquely positioned to share that specific tale. According to Reed, this is because “Every story we’re working on is being told by someone who can tell that story – or at least, that particular version of it.

The question arises as to why Reed was an ideal narrator for recounting this tale and discussing the current state of journalism. “My motivation behind creating this program stems from a mid-life, mid-career introspection about the nature of my profession,” Reed explains. “It originates from genuine doubts, fears, and confusion that I harbor regarding the career path I have chosen.” He further states, “The unique perspective and approach this show takes in storytelling, as well as its viewpoint on the world, often reflects my personal experiences.

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2024-09-12 18:55