3. My Truth, Your Truth, and Anything But the Truth

About this episode

The episode explores how the abolition of the fairness doctrine in 1987 changed America's relationship with truth, highlighting figures like Morton Downey Jr. and Oprah Winfrey.

In 1987, the same year Hulk Hogan body-slammed Andre the Giant, something else happened that would change America's relationship with the truth forever - a Washington regulator abolished the law that required broadcasters to present both sides of an argument. What followed was Morton Downey Jr, a furious chain-smoking provocateur who discovered that outrage was more compelling than accuracy. And Oprah Winfrey, who found that sincerity and emotional honesty could be just as powerful. Together, they popularised an idea that has quietly shaped the world we live in - that your truth is just as valid as the truth. Presenter: Jamie Bartlett Series Producer: Tom Pooley Sound Design: Rob Speight Production Coordinator: Neena Abdullah Original music: Coach Conrad Editor: Craig Templeton Smith A Tempo+Talker production for BBC Radio 4.

People in this episode

Host: Jamie Bartlett

Topics covered

• media
• truth
• broadcasting
• outrage culture
• emotional honesty
• sincerity

Keywords

• truth
• media
• broadcasting
• Morton Downey Jr
• Oprah Winfrey
• outrage
• sincerity
• emotional honesty

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC Radio 4, Tempo+Talker, Coach Conrad, Tom Pooley, Rob Speight, Neena Abdullah, Craig Templeton Smith

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