The Colbert Report Season 9 Episode 134 David Folkenflik

David Folkenflik, a renowned media correspondent, joins Stephen Colbert on the ninth season's 134th episode of The Colbert Report. Folkenflik comes armed with knowledge about the media industry, and the two have an in-depth discussion about the media's role in the United States.

Colbert starts off the interview by asking Folkenflik about his credentials. Folkenflik explains that he is a media correspondent for NPR, where he has been for the past decade. He has also worked for various other publications such as The Baltimore Sun, The Washington Post, and Newsweek.

Colbert then asks Folkenflik to share his thoughts on the state of media today. Folkenflik explains that the public's trust in the media is lower than it’s ever been. This phenomenon, he explains, is relatively recent. Historically, people used to trust the media for the most part. So what has changed?

Folkenflik identifies several key factors that have resulted in the media losing its credibility over the years. One factor is the advent of the internet. With the rise of social media and the internet, it's much easier for anyone to publish their own content - even if it's false. This ease of publishing has led to the rise of fake news and other disinformation that has seriously undermined the credibility of the media.

Another factor that Folkenflik mentions is the polarization of media in the US. Different media outlets now cater to different partisan viewpoints, often at the expense of accuracy and objectivity. This polarization has led to people only following the media sources that agree with them, leading to the creation of so-called "echo chambers."

Next, Colbert and Folkenflik discuss the role of media in politics, especially in the context of the 2016 presidential election. Folkenflik explains how the media failed in its duty to accurately and objectively report on the election. He cites the massive amount of free media coverage that Donald Trump received during the campaign, which he argues helped to legitimize Trump's candidacy.

The two also touch on the subject of journalistic integrity. Colbert asks Folkenflik how news outlets can maintain their integrity in the face of dwindling resources and increasing competition. Folkenflik argues that the most important thing for maintaining journalistic integrity is to focus on quality reporting. He explains that many news outlets are investing more and more in opinion and analysis, but real reporting is what's needed to maintain the public's trust.

Finally, the two wrap up the interview by discussing the future of media. Folkenflik argues that the next few years are going to be critical for the industry as it adapts to changing technologies and new challenges. The way in which the media is able to evolve and adapt will determine whether or not it can reclaim some of the public's lost trust.

In conclusion, this episode of The Colbert Report is a must-watch for anyone interested in the state of the media today. Colbert and Folkenflik have a fascinating and insightful discussion that covers a wide range of topics, from the role of media in politics to journalistic integrity and everything in between. If you're looking to better understand the challenges facing the media industry today and how it can continue to evolve moving forward, this episode is essential viewing.