Podcast Summary: On the Media – "Undercover and Over-Exposed"
Introduction On the Media, a Peabody Award-winning podcast by WNYC Studios, delves deep into the intricacies of media production and its societal impacts. Hosted by Brandi Zadrazny and Micah Loewinger, the episode titled "Undercover and Over-Exposed," released on July 30, 2021, explores the blurred lines between government operations and domestic terrorism, the ethical dilemmas faced by journalists in handling leaked or hacked data, and the repercussions of data misuse in personal privacy.
Government Infiltration and the January 6th Insurrection The episode opens with a harrowing account from Ken Bensinger, co-author of the BuzzFeed News story “Watching the Watchmen,” discussing the deep government involvement in thwarting plots against public officials.
“The government didn't just have a passive role in this. We believe at least 12 informants working for the FBI, as well as at least two undercover agents were mixed in with these people.” [00:00]
Bensinger reveals that government operatives were extensively embedded within groups plotting to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer, illustrating a sophisticated network of informants and undercover agents.
The Labeling of Domestic Terrorism A significant portion of the discussion centers around the term "domestic terrorism" and its politicization post-January 6th. Bensinger notes how the Biden administration's strategy to combat domestic terrorism has been influenced by earlier associations of the term with discredited figures.
“The word terrorist packs an emotional punch, but it can also give some very practical powers to agencies that don't exactly have a track record of using them responsibly.” [04:42]
The conversation highlights the historical misuse of the term and its potential to either hold malicious actors accountable or facilitate government overreach.
Ethical Reporting on Leaked and Hacked Data Transitioning to journalistic ethics, the episode features Mary Harris of Slate and discussions with Kevin Collier and Lorax Horn from Distributed Denial of Secrets (DDoS Secrets). Harris recounts her experience with obtaining and verifying hacked data, raising questions about the balance between newsworthiness and ethical responsibility.
“Is this ethical? Is it fair game to do this?” [21:24]
Collier emphasizes the evolving nature of leaks, contrasting early expectations shaped by WikiLeaks with modern complexities introduced by state-sponsored hacking and ransomware.
Case Study: Outing a Catholic Priest Through Data Brokers A pivotal segment examines the Pillar's use of commercially available Grindr data to publicly out a Catholic priest, sparking debates over privacy, consent, and the ethical use of personal data in journalism.
“They referred to themselves as a journalism collective...they haven't created the world that we're in, but so far I'm quite happy with the work we've done.” [28:15]
Data broker practices are scrutinized, with George Joseph explaining how supposedly anonymized data can be re-identified, leading to invasive exposures without individuals' consent.
Conservative Catholic Media and the Targeting of Gay Priests Michael O'Loughlin from the Catholic media organization America discusses the historical and ongoing targeting of gay priests by conservative Catholic media, underscoring a persistent conflation of homosexuality with pedophilia despite evidence to the contrary.
“The John Jay study conducted by US bishops...found that it wasn't true.” [47:13]
The Pillar is critiqued for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and diverting attention from substantive issues like clericalism and institutional cover-ups within the Catholic Church.
Implications for Media and Society The episode concludes by reflecting on the responsibilities of journalists in the digital age, where data breaches and leaks pose ethical challenges. It underscores the necessity for media outlets to navigate these waters carefully, balancing the public's right to know with respect for individual privacy and ethical reporting standards.
“We have a responsibility to provide as much context in the story as possible. When we don't do that, we just feed stereotypes.” [15:48]
Conclusion Undercover and Over-Exposed offers a compelling exploration of the intersections between government actions, media ethics, and personal privacy. By featuring firsthand accounts and expert analyses, the episode invites listeners to critically assess the evolving landscape of information dissemination and its profound societal implications.
Notable Quotes:
- “We say that data speaks for itself and that data is only a part of the story.” – Lorax Horn [00:25]
- “I really should have thrown it 'allegedly' in that headline.” – Ken Bensinger [16:50]
- “Data that comes from a ransomware hack...is being used in ways that amplify the attackers' intentions.” – Kim Zetter [33:28]
Key Takeaways:
- Government infiltration in extremist groups raises questions about entrapment and surveillance overreach.
- The term “domestic terrorism” has become politically charged, affecting public perception and policy.
- Journalists face ethical dilemmas in reporting on hacked or leaked data, balancing public interest with privacy concerns.
- Conservative media's targeting of marginalized groups, such as gay priests, perpetuates harmful stereotypes and distracts from systemic issues.
- The evolving digital landscape necessitates rigorous ethical standards in journalism to prevent misuse of sensitive information.
For Listeners: This episode is essential for those interested in media ethics, government surveillance, and the impact of data on personal privacy. It provides a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by journalists in an era dominated by digital information and underscores the importance of responsible reporting.