This week I speak with Michael Bolden, the new Dean of the UC Berkeley Journalism School, about his personal journey from Mobile, Alabama, to leading one of the country’s top journalism schools. We agree — because of course — on the philosophical importance of journalism, but it’s the complications brought by AI and media technology, and the rise of influencer culture, where things get complicated. Bolden emphasizes the necessity of adapting journalism education to future demands, including the incorporation of AI and influencer collaborations, and together we try to sort out how to bring together the best of this new, open world of information and the old world of true expertise and editorial rigor.
00:00 Introduction: The Impact of Personal Background on Journalism
00:29 The State of Journalism Today
01:07 Challenges Facing Modern Journalism
02:27 Introducing Michael Bolden: A Career in Journalism
03:56 Michael Bolden’s Early Life and Influences
07:17 The Importance of Representation in Journalism
14:04 Navigating Professional Challenges
19:53 The Future of Journalism Education
27:31 The Evolving Role of Journalists
28:53 The Decline of Traditional Media
33:38 The Rise of Influencers and Independent Journalists
38:32 Political Influence and Media Ownership
47:25 AI and the Future of Journalism
57:12 Innovative Journalism Models
59:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
