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Eric Deggans

@edeggans.bsky.social

55K followers 1.2K following 1.6K posts

Knight Professor of Journalism and Media Ethics at Washington&Lee U. Critic at Large, NPR. Blerd. Drummer. Author: Race-Baiter: How the Media Wields Dangerous Words to Divide a Nation. Media bloviator.

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 6d

Some convoluted thoughts on how a mind-bending twist on HBO Max’s Peacemaker and late night TV hosts banding together might point the way to resisting America’s growing authoritarianism. https://loom.ly/2PdbkY4

From Peacemaker to Jimmy Kimmel: Can Hollywood band together to preserve democracy?

As efforts to intimidate and eliminate Trump critics in media continues, is Hollywood showing that banding together is key to survival?

open.substack.com

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 1d

I had a feeling - watching Geddy Lee w/Yes at the rock hall of fame, seeing Lee and Alex Lifeson play Taylor Hawkins tribute - they might tour again. Now they’re officially doing it, I hope fans give drummer Anika Niles space to do her version of Rush. https://loom.ly/5YOz6TM

- YouTube

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 1d

A lot of newspapers printed and distributed their own products. Until the bottom fell out of the industry.

livinonbluespower.bsky.social @livinonbluespower.bsky.social · 1d

nice job not keeping up with technology and consumer needs. They did not weep for the printers and distributors of their papers while they transitioned to online. Evolution is a cruel mistress.

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 1d

Well, Golden Goose actually got killed when ebay, Monster.com, Craigslist and Google cannibalized the classified ads business, destroying the economic model which fueled newspapers for over 100 years. For generations news consumers never paid what it actually cost to sustain newspaper newsrooms.

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 1d

Hey - sorry about the paywall. Here's my take, which I wrote back when news of the deal with Weiss was originally reported: ericdeggans.substack.com/p/giving-pol...

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 1d

You're right! That word should be, "felt." As in "I myself have sometimes FELT I was...."

Eric Kelderman @erickelderman.bsky.social · 1d

Hey Eric - good stuff. I also think there's a word missing or something in this sentence: "I myself have sometimes I was on the receiving end of unfair coverage by Fox News as they misrepresented my columns to try portraying NPR as out of touch and hopelessly biased for liberals."

Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 2d

Some thoughts exploring why trust in media outlets to report accurate news is sagging to historic levels, according to a new Pew poll and other studies. I try to look beyond typical arguments and toward larger changes in media, politics, audiences. READ: https://loom.ly/2p_hMP0

My take on why Americans don't trust journalists anymore

It's more complicated than journalists failing in their mission. And reversing the numbers are key to preserving democracy.

open.substack.com

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 4d

Many thanks to Substacker Fawnia Soo Hoo, who kept me in her piece on Gen X men going through it on TV, even after I insisted this wasn't much different than the way other generations of men - mostly middle aged and white - have been depicted. READ: https://loom.ly/hOAs1bs

Gen X Men on TV Are Really Going Through It

Just don't call it 'man-opause.'

heywhatevernevermind.substack.com

Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 4d

Wow. Puff Daddy got sentenced to four years in prison. Will they house him anywhere near R. Kelly? https://loom.ly/whzViDg

Sean Combs sentenced to over four years in prison for prostitution-related charges

Combs had been convicted in July on two counts of transportation for prostitution. During his sentencing hearing he spoke at length for the first time in the trial, addressing the judge at length.

www.npr.org

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 4d

Bari Weiss, a conservative-friendly columnist/media entrepreneur w/zero broadcast TV leadership experience, will be installed as top editor at CBS News by its new, Trump-aligned owners. This on top of a Trump-aligned ombudsman. Wonder if they'll cover Trump aggressively?https://tinyurl.com/pyn92aef

Bari Weiss to be named top editor at CBS News

Paramount Skydance will acquire the journalist’s publication, the Free Press, which she started after quitting the New York Times in 2020.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 4d

I think you have 2 choices: The NPR Network and a local station. Donation to the network supports the folks who create the national programming; the institution where I worked. And/or you can choose a local member station to also support. We'd love it if you did both. www.npr.org/donations/su...

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 4d

The company which bears his name still works with PBS. www.fredrogers.org/2025/06/23/d...

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 4d

Honored that Associated Press quoted me in its story about Washington Post's bizarrely disappointing decision to fire columnist Karen Attiah, raising concerns about fate of Black journalists. My question: Why did Post respond w/ultimate punishment first? https://loom.ly/R9O5VPw

In Black columnist's firing, advocates fear decreasing diversity, vital perspectives in news media

Karen Attiah, a former opinion columnist at The Washington Post, says she was fired after social media posts expressing concerns about gun violence and rhetoric against Black women.

apnews.com

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 5d

After watching HBO Max's Peacemaker and Jimmy Kimmel hanging with Stephen Colbert an Seth Meyers in New York, I wondered: Can Hollywood actually band together to help resist America’s growing authoritarianism?https://loom.ly/2PdbkY4

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 6d

Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

SugarHead @sugarheadco.com · 6d

Yes. And both must get much sharper with their headlines.

We are not in 2-sides times.

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 6d

NPR and PBS are separate, non-profit public media networks, with one focused on radio and the other focused on TV. Heere's a link with more info on how to give to PBS. foundation.pbs.org/ways-to-give/

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 6d

I hate how this show stereotypes female characters and propagandizes for the oil industry. But, I'm convinced there is no one in Hollywood -- other than Samuel L. Jackson, perhaps -- who talks shit better than Billy Bob Thornton. WATCH: https://loom.ly/4W7Fs4w

- YouTube

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www.youtube.com

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 6d

From Peacemaker to Jimmy Kimmel: Can Hollywood band together to preserve democracy?

As efforts to intimidate and eliminate Trump critics in media continues, is Hollywood showing that banding together is key to survival?

open.substack.com

5 31

Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 6d

Millions didn't. And millions didn't vote at all. So...

ItsVic @vcla85.bsky.social · 6d

Americans voted for fascism so…

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 6d

Today marks the first day in the 55-year history of PBS and 54-year history of NPR that public media has broadcast to its audiences without federal funding. But even though lots of local outlets are at risk, PBS and NPR are still here, providing fair, accurate news coverage and will not be silenced.

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 8d

You should read my Substack piece where I talk on trying to tell people who interviewed me that it makes no sense: loom.ly/_nTJx-E

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 8d

Since President Trump resurfaced talk of a "100% tariff" on foreign made movies - once again, without details on stuff like who would pay - I'm resurfacing what I wrote in May when he first posted about it. Media must curb hyping his vague announcements: https://loom.ly/_nTJx-E

Trump, movie tariffs and the news media: Why do we keep falling for this?

Journalists should resist rampant speculation when it's not attached to a tangible policy

ericdeggans.substack.com

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 8d

What I dislike about CNN's headline: the story admits Trump didn't say how he would enact a tariff on films or who would pay it. Some say he may not have the power to enact it. So saying he "announces" it sounds more definitive than the situation. READ: https://loom.ly/4XmjZXg

Trump announces 100% tariff on foreign-made movies | CNN Business

President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post on Monday he will be imposing a 100% tariff “on any and all movies that are made outside of the United States.”

www.cnn.com

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 10d

My wonderful colleague Kevin Finch was nice enough to include me in a story he wrote for Quill magazine about working journalists who decide to go into teaching. It's a great story about the rewards and challenges of a serious career shift. READ: loom.ly/z4BMXbA

SPJ Quill Fall 2025

loom.ly

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 10d

I didn’t bother posting in advance on my CNN hit at 7:15 a.m. today. But here’s the appearance, where I talk Kimmel, Trump and how the issue exposed both the dangers of media consolidation AND the need for execs at big media companies to defend their employees. WATCH: loom.ly/4Cb4nAk

Trump threatens to sue ABC over Kimmel's return

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

loom.ly

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Eric Deggans @edeggans.bsky.social · 11d

Now Nexstar has joined Sinclair in returning Jimmy Kimmel Live! to its ABC stations. But I think viewers of Nexstar and Sinclair stations still need to ask themselves, do these giant station groups have too much power to decide what America sees? https://loom.ly/h7v2ZMc

Jimmy Kimmel Returning to Sinclair and Nexstar Stations as Preemption Ends

Nexstar and Sinclair had opted to preempt the late night show on their ABC stations, impacting nearly one quarter of the country.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

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