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Swedish media - public broadcasting in particular - needs a rethink about a.) bias and b.) how it treats academics. A hopefully short thread on a frustrating story...
Last week I did an interview with @svtnyheter @svt about Trump - specifically his options for mucking up the transition to a Biden administration and firing Mark Esper.
The interview was recorded & uploaded on the broadcaster's site w/ a short story. It has since been removed.
The interview was recorded & uploaded on the broadcaster's site w/ a short story. It has since been removed.
I discovered this as I was compiling a list of media appearances for applications.
After doing the interview I was texted by the journalist to ask if I was "still a member of Democrats Abroad". In 2016 (when I did a lengthy special for SVT) I also did spokesman work for DA.
After doing the interview I was texted by the journalist to ask if I was "still a member of Democrats Abroad". In 2016 (when I did a lengthy special for SVT) I also did spokesman work for DA.
I explained that I am still technically a member of the Democratic Party. US parties are not like Swedish parties with annual dues and an implication of activism. One registers when one registers to vote and is a member until resigning, basically.
I assume that by saying I was still a member, technically, but with no official position, I was seen to compromise my objectivity and that that is why the clip was removed. It would be helpful if @svtnyheter could confirm.
Last month an @SVT producer called & asked if I would come on. After rescheduling my day to do it I was called back & told that I couldn't come on b/c I was a member of the Democrats. I clarified that I had no official position in the party, do not speak for the party. But no.
Another time recently an SVT writer called to ask me to consult on a show about US political parties. Her "facts" about the parties were inaccurate, misleading, heavily biased in favor of the GOP. I tried to make them clearer and more neutral. She seemed to think this was my bias
The show went ahead anyway, with my input incorporated.
None of this work was paid, and in that particular show, I was not credited as a consultant.
None of this work was paid, and in that particular show, I was not credited as a consultant.
My main points:
1. Being a member of a party is not the same thing in the US as in Sweden (other Americans who appear on public broadcasting in Sweden are extant party "members" with a less publicly documented record of it). We can speak objectively, as analysts.
1. Being a member of a party is not the same thing in the US as in Sweden (other Americans who appear on public broadcasting in Sweden are extant party "members" with a less publicly documented record of it). We can speak objectively, as analysts.
2. Having a political affiliation does not make all analysis "biased" - and opinions can still be incorporated in the news. At most, disclose that I am a Democrat and proceed as if my analysis is the same. Because it will be. I freely criticize all political parties in the US.
3. If you still can't have me on your show - do your due diligence BEFORE YOU CALL. By asking me to prepare for an interview and then film an interview or a show, you are taking up often hours of my time - all without compensation. Removing the clip afterwards makes it harder for
me to even document that I did this work, thereby gaining recognition from funding bodies and potential employers.
Not crediting me as a consultant where I have acted as one has the same effect.
Not crediting me as a consultant where I have acted as one has the same effect.
In what other field than academia is it acceptable for a media outlet to regularly call someone, ask for free work from them, and then not credit them or even take down the work that they have done?
I've had great experiences & felt very appreciated working w/ @Aftonbladet @SvD @dagensnyheter @AftonbladetTV @Nyheterna & many other international outlets. Why are Swedish public broadcasters so sensitive to "bias" ......
yet so willing to waste my time before they pause to consider this so-called bias?
I would rather do this free work for outlets where I feel appreciated and receive credit, as well as clips that remain online and can be documented for my own benefit.
I would rather do this free work for outlets where I feel appreciated and receive credit, as well as clips that remain online and can be documented for my own benefit.
