Guest Bio

Justin Hendrix is CEO and Editor of Tech Policy Press, a nonprofit media venture concerned with the intersection of technology and democracy. Previously, he was Executive Director of NYC Media Lab. He spent over a decade at The Economist in roles including Vice President of Business Development & Innovation. He is an adjunct professor at NYU Tandon School of Engineering and a lecturer at Cornell Tech. (Source: Techpolicy.press)

In this episode of FMC Fast Chat, Fair Media Council CEO Jaci Clement joins forces with renowned First Amendment scholar Clay Calvert, Nonresident Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and Professor Emeritus at the University of Florida, to unpack the controversy and its bigger implications. Together they break down the headlines with a clear-eyed look at what’s really happening in America today.

👉 In this episode, we explore:

• The Jimmy Kimmel–FCC showdown and why it matters
• Why “hate speech” is generally protected in the U.S.—and where the law actually draws the line
• The fine distinctions between true threats, fighting words, and incitement
• How social media is weaponized to silence unpopular speech
• What lawsuits and government actions mean for the future of free expression

🎙️ A timely, candid conversation that makes sense of today’s free speech battles. Tune in now and stay media-savvy.

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:

• Why the news industry never recovered from 2005
• The dark side of paywalls — and how they shift newsroom independence
• How to navigate a media landscape flooded with misinformation
• The COVID communications collapse: What public health experts must learn
• Why today’s best journalism may be the best we’ve ever had

📌 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

In this episode, you'll discover:

• A Lifeline: How KNX 97.1 FM, a trusted 24/7 all-news radio station, becomes a lifeline for millions without power or cell service during crises, ensuring that essential emergency news reaches those who need it most.
• Local Media in Action: Real-life stories of frontline journalists dedicated to quality news, correcting misinformation, and ensuring public safety—even under intense pressure.
• Multimedia Boost: How the station used social media, push alerts, and digital platforms to amplify critical news when every second counts.
• Navigating Decentralized Communication: Insights into the challenges of California's decentralized government and its impact on emergency response and information dissemination.

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.

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

Clay Calvert is a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and Professor Emeritus, Brechner Eminent Scholar of Mass Communication Emeritus, and former Director of the Marion B. Brechner First Amendment Project at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, specializing in First Amendment Law. He was previously a professor at the Pennsylvania State University, where he co-directed the Pennsylvania Center for the First Amendment. Calvert has authored or co-authored more than 150 scholarly articles for law journals. He has also written several books dealing with the First Amendment.

🔹 Key Highlights:

• Why collaboration is essential to creating effective media policy
• Addressing algorithmic gatekeeping and disinformation in the digital age
• AI’s potential to support journalism while safeguarding public trust
• How local news can thrive through innovation and community connections

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!

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.

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.

Sree doesn’t just identify the problems — he offers actionable tips to help us navigate a world where the people who own and run these platforms are shaping our lives in troubling ways. This conversation is a wake-up call for anyone who wants to better understand the hidden costs of social media and reclaim control.

What You’ll Learn:

• The evolution of social media—from a tool for good to a force for harm.
• How platform owners and decision-makers are manipulating communities.
• Practical tips for protecting yourself and regaining control of your digital life.