Current (https://current.org/tag/smiley-west/)
Torey Malatia’s argument against “advocacy journalism” — leveled at Smiley & West after Chicago’s WBEZ carried the program for two years — is merely a weapon of mass distraction from the real issue.
In a pluralistic America, public media is a central resource for promoting inclusiveness in civic engagement. This misson-based role has become even more important in today’s broadcast and digital media environment, in which content is tailored exclusively to audiences based on their ideology and beliefs.
Tavis Smiley is defending the tone and content of his weekly public radio show Smiley & West after Chicago’s WBEZ became the latest and largest-market station to drop it from its schedule.