Jeff Jarvis - The Future of Media and Journalism

Grey Matter Title Image

Veteran Journalist, Journalism professor and author Jeff Jarvis joined us to discuss media and its history and future and the future of journalism. We zeroed in on questions of Internet regulation and the effect of AI and Jeff spoke about why he believes TikTok should be defended and not banned and focused on what he called hegemonic and corporate old journalism versus journalism which serves the community. Jeff also talked about Section 230 and its so-called shield and sword role for media at its core as well as click bait, bias and the need to reinvent advertising. A caller spurred Jeff to address the lack of tech knowledge of legislators and the need for them to be educated. He also spoke critically of a recent book by psychologist Jonathan Haidt which blames the mental health crisis of Gen Z on phones and social media. Jeff then talked about red lining in journalism and how AI is a large and cracked mirror of all of us with many practical and positive uses. We wound up talking about Google's former motto of Don't be Evil, what to do about bad actors and the likely long run benefit to libraries of AI.