Picture a TV news debate. Is it filled with angry, performative shouting, or do the participants seem like they’re actually getting somewhere? Chances are, it’s the former — but it doesn’t have to be.
Jen Psaki shares on the latest episode of “The Poynter Report Podcast” that TV debates work best when there’s space for real disagreement without devolving into loud, scripted arguments. Think more David Hogg, Democratic National Committee co-chair, debating political consultant James Carville, and less Psaki going head-to-head with conservative strategist Scott Jennings.
As she settles into her new MSNBC show, “The Briefing,” Psaki, who was also President Joe Biden’s press secretary, previews her goal: debates that foster genuine conversation, rather than scripted arguments designed for viral moments.
“You have to find a place where it’s not boring. We can’t just all agree with each other all the time, because that’s also not authentic and kind of boring,” she says during her conversation with Poynter senior media writer and podcast host Tom Jones. Psaki emphasizes that while it's important to challenge one another, the goal should be to provide insightful, meaningful discourse, not just entertainment.
Psaki also dives into how her time in government shapes her approach to
“The Briefing,” particularly in her efforts to demystify complex political issues for her audience, and shared her approach to covering the news: focusing deeply on a few critical topics rather than rushing through multiple stories. And Psaki reflects on her career path, balancing work with her personal life.
For more, listen to the full interview on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music, or watch the video on YouTube. And please don’t forget to leave a rating and review — it really helps.
As a final note, this was the last episode of the season. We’ll see you in June for season three of “The Poynter Report Podcast.”
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