On The Media

In the aftermath of white supremacist attacks in New Zealand, there's a tension between reporting on the shooter's motivations and not amplifying his message. This week, On the Media examines how the press can navigate that persistent dilemma. Plus, the debate over whether online archives of jihadi terrorist propaganda should be open to the public.  1. Joan Donovan [ . 2. Kathleen Belew [ . 3. Dan Feidt [ 4. Charlie Winter [ Songs: Capicua by Animal Chuki Untitled by Aphex Twin (Four Tet remix) Chrysanthemum Complex (Contagion OST) by Cliff Martinez  Capernaum OST by Khaled Mouzanar Meg Erase Meta by Qasim Naqvi Its Motion Keeps by Caroline Shaw Lo by Dawn of Midi

The details are different but the story is the same. A mass shooting, scores of people dead, another nation traumatized. Although in the aftermath of the events in New Zealand last week there is a wrinkle. In her first speech to parliament since the attacks, Prime Minister  Jacinda Ardern declared that she will never speak the killer's name and she asked the press and others to follow suit. Ardern said the shooter would not get notoriety, perhaps a nod to the group “No Notoriety” started by Tom Teves and his wife Caren. The Teves lost their son in the 2012 shooting rampage in an Aurora, Colorado movie theater and later formed the group to beseech news outlets not to turn mass killers into media icons. Bob spoke to Tom back in 2015 as jury selection was beginning for the trial of his son’s killer.

A college admissions scandal has highlighted what people refer to as "the myth of meritocracy." But actually, meritocracy itself is a myth. This week, On the Media looks at the satirical origins of the word and what they tell us about why the US embraces it. Plus, the messaging for and against Medicare for All, as well as a historical look at why we don't have universal healthcare. And economic historian and Tucker Carlson antagonist Rutger Bregman. 1. John Patrick Leary [ @JohnPatLeary ], professor at Wayne State University, on the history of the satirical origins of the word "meritocracy". 2.  Paul Waldman [ 3. Jill Quadagno of [ @floridastate ] on the history of why the U.S. has shunned universal healthcare. 4. Rutger Bregman [ @rcbregman ] on the myths about wealth and who creates it.

To suggest that Tucker Carlson has a tendency to hint at deeply discriminatory tropes would be clich é — but also dead-on. Just this week, thanks to newly unearthed   released by Media Matters, the Fox News darling ditches his signature dog whistle in exchange for unmistakable and unapologetic hate speech. Who is Tucker Carlson, really? In this week's pod extra, Bob delves into the origins of the now-notorious commentator with in September.

Mexican officials and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are using a secret database to target journalists and advocates at the southern border. This week, On the Media speaks with a reporter on the list who was detained for questioning by Mexican authorities. Plus, what the Obama Library’s unique arrangement with the National Archives means for the future of presidential history. And, the grotesque origins of segregation.  1. Mari Payton [ @MariNBCSD ], reporter at NBC 7 in San Diego, and 2. Tim Naftali [ @TimNaftali ], historian at New York University and former director of the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, and 3. Steve Luxenberg [ @SLuxenberg ], author of Separate , on the history of Plessy v. Ferguson .   Music in this week's show: Fallen Leaves by Marcos Ciscar  Gormenghast by John Zorn With Plenty of Money and You by Hal Kemp And His Orchestra   Let's Face This Music And Dance by Roy Fox And His Orchestra Wade in the Water by Charlie Haden and Hank Jones Get Back - Black, Brown And White by Big Bill Broonzy Moulin Rouge by Toots Thielemans