paulcrosstoronto’s Podcast

Cross Talk Season 9, Episode Five

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 12:32:26 -0500

On the Passing of a Panther. From January 14, 2026. Exactly 32 years before this date, I sat with a former member of the Black Panthers Party for Self-Defence in an interview at CHUMFM in Toronto. We knew him from the 60s as H. Rap Brown. In 1994, he was known as Jamil al-Amin. On his death in November of 2025, I instantly thought of this interview. In season five I have been mining my archives and memories; and that's where we're going again today. Features audio from my interview for the In Toronto program on 104.5 CHUMFM. For educational purposes.

Cross Talk Season 9, Episode Four

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 21:46:55 -0400

On remembering the Quebec referendum of 1995: I was there. From October 30th, 2025. Thirty years ago, voters in Quebec voted narrowly -- narrowly -- to remain in Canada, and against pursuing separation. It was a tumultuous time 15 years after the previous referendum. It's one of the rare occasions when I spent an entire week broadcasting the CHUM Radio Network National News on the road; this time from CKGM In Montreal. Today I'm remembering that historic day, and how it was for me that night...reporting live from the headquarters of the Yes forces for separation. Makes fair dealing use of archive audio from CBC national tv and CPAC archive audio. For educational purposes.

Cross Talk: Season 9, Episode 3

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 12:07:25 -0400

On the radio call-in heard around the world: WWL New Orleans and local radio in times of local crisis. On September 2nd 2005 the mayor of New Orleans phones radio station WWL870 after the fifth day of the crisis brought on by Hurricane Katrina. Mayor Ray Nagin's call -- his words on the radio -- are so striking, so significant...the call gets picked up and broadcast around the world. It's widely recognized as being the moment that woke up senior levels of government and agencies and got real help on the way to New Orleans. Today, I am looking back at that event of 20 years ago. This episode makes fair dealing use of audio from WWL Radio New Orleans. Includes bits from my own personal interview with the host who got the call -- Garland Robinette -- from when I visited New Orleans and went to talk to him at WWL in 2008. In Robinette's own words, had the mayor not phoned the radio station that day...and said what he did...it likely would have been even longer before help arrived and "...more people would have died."

WWL's own documentary and interview series about its remarkable performance during the Katrina crisis may be available to you at:

https://www.audacy.com/wwl/news/local/wwl-presents-katrina20-years-later-a-new-orleans-story

The radio station's live stream appears to be unavailable outside the United States.

This episode is being posted on September 2, 2025 - 20 years after this historic broadcast.

Cross Talk: Season 9, Episode Two

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 12:19:59 -0400

Forty years ago: Remembering Air India Flight 182. When an Air India jet was bombed over the Atlantic Ocean on June 23rd 1985 hours after taking off from Toronto, it was recognized as the single deadliest incident of terrorism involving a passenger flight in world history. I remember that day vividly, as I explained in Episode One this season. Today, I'll tell you why it stands out in my memory. It's unfortunate to hear reports that many Canadians have never heard of Air India flight 182. It's a tragic Canadian story. There's so much more to continue exploring. Today...what I remember.

The book I refer to in these episodes is The Death of Air India Flight 182 by Salim Jima. Star Books, London 1986.

The report for the Canadian government by Bob Rae referred to in this episode is here: https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/lssns-lrnd/index-en.aspx

This episode uses some of my archived audio from an interview conducted for the In Toronto program on 104.5 CHUMFM Toronto in June 1986. Fair dealing use. For education and review purposes.

Cross Talk: Season 9, Episode 1

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 07:57:36 -0400

On Air India - in 2025 and 40 years ago. The tragic crash of an Air India jet on June 12, 2025 comes just days before the 40th anniversary of the bombing of an Air India jet on its way from Toronto to India. I was already planning an episode in time for that stark anniversary, digging into my archives of coverage from the time. There will be still more to come on that. But I was getting the impression some people telling me the news now have no idea about the earlier case, and its very deep Toronto and Canadian roots. So let's get started. For educational and review purposes. This episode uses archive audio from my work at CHUMFM Toronto back at the time. You'll hear the voice of reporter Salim Jiwa, author or the book The Death of Air India Flight 182. We spoke at different times over the years of the story. Salim passed away in September 2024.

Cross Talk: Season 9 Trailer

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:03:59 -0500

From February 13, 2025: In time for World Radio Day. But I'm not focused on the annual tribute to radio today. I'm thinking about the need for better radio in Canada as the very sovereignty of this country is threatened. Canada needs tougher, bolder, more thoughtful and life-experienced radio. And mature analysis. Season 9 is coming soon.

Cross Talk: Season 8, Episode 5

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 22:03:38 -0500

On World Radio Day 2024: A century of radio history - entertaining, informing and educating. From February 13, 2024. Each year I produce an episode of the pod focused on the themes of World Radio Day - designated by UNESCO. Yes, well into its second century, radio continues to entertain, educate and inform. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of archive audio from WWL New Orleans, WLS Chicago, Chase and Sanborn Hour on NBC. The book I refer to is Shadow of the New Deal: The Victory of Public Broadcasting by Josh Shepperd - University of Illinois Press, 2023. This episode will be broadcast on Radio Humber - CKHC 96-9FM in Toronto - on World Radio Day along with features produced by some of my students in Radio and Media Production at Humber College. #WorldRadioDay #UNESCO Image: UNESCO

Cross Talk: Season 8, Episode 4

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 16:43:37 -0500

How corporate ownership imperils local radio – and the few voices raised to save it. From February 9, 2024. No company owning radio stations in Canada has ever made a move to shed so many radio stations on the basis of wanting to get out. Forty-five radio stations are being sold off by Bell. But other companies want them! And they're companies that are about radio! Also, I follow up on my promise in Episode 3 to cover some of the ongoing effort to save AM radio. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of audio from Global TV news, Premier David Eby, and public domain audio from the US House of Representatives hearing, distributed by the representatives heard speaking.

Cross Talk: Season 8, Episode 3

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 23:25:36 -0500

On getting past a terrible, horrible, really bad year for AM radio in Canada. From January 18, 2024. Canadian listeners lost several AM radio stations in 2023. Many were heritage stations that had been on the air almost as long as radio itself has been around. Tuning around on the dial to the places where those radio stations used to be...brings in nothing but static now. For educational purposes. I will start to explore some of the efforts to save AM radio in Episode 4, coming soon.

Cross Talk: Season 8, Episode 2

Sun, 29 Oct 2023 20:29:48 -0400

On the 85th anniversary of the War of the Worlds radio broadcast. From October 30th, 2023. This is the sixth in my series of episodes in defence of the Mercury Theatre on the Air broadcast as brilliant radio drama that has been the subject of flawed research and what I perceive as a bias against radio content by both academia and legacy print-oriented media. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of audio from the original CBS Mercury Theatre of the Air broadcast and the NBC Chase and Sanborn Hour - both from October 30, 1938. The previous five episodes about War of the Worlds are here:

2021: https://paulcrosstoronto.podbean.com/e/cross-talk-season-six-episode-one/

2020: https://paulcrosstoronto.podbean.com/e/cross-talk-season-5-episode-1/

2019: https://paulcrosstoronto.podbean.com/e/cross-talk-season-3-episode-5/

2018: https://paulcrosstoronto.podbean.com/e/cross-talk-season-1-episode-8/

2018: https://paulcrosstoronto.podbean.com/e/cross-talk-season-1-episode-7/

Cross Talk: Season 8, Episode 1

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 13:23:29 -0400

On radio and the great power failure of 2003. From August 14, 2023. On the 20th anniversary of a power failure that left 50 million people in Canada and the United States without electricity. Radio knew exactly what to do. But 20 years later, there are consumers unaware of local radio, failures in broadcasting, and distracted corporate ownership. Commentary. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of bits of audio found online from CTV Toronto, CBC National News, NBC News New York.

Cross Talk: Season 7, Epsiode 5

Thu, 04 May 2023 09:01:04 -0400

On sports betting ads during play-by-play broadcasts. From May 4, 2023. The preponderance of advertising for sports betting apps -- including apps that let a gambler bet on a game in progress -- is changing the experience of watching live sports such as NHL Hockey. And it may be having an impact on how young viewers perceive the game and their favourite players. Commentary. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of bits of audio from commercials and branded content aired on Hockey Night in Canada on CBC-TV and SportsNet tv April 29th, 2023.

Cross Talk: Season 7, Episode 4

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 10:42:39 -0400

On getting caught in the act of staging fake news. From April 27, 2023 - examining a broadcast of March 19th. If you're going to brand your show as documentary, and title an episode "Fake News?" extra care may be required. In the age of "fake news" a legitimate show needs to be sure its content is watertight. So when The Circus on HBO gets called out by a source of "fake news" for staging something, that's a serious problem. Commentary and analysis. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of audio from the March 19, 2023 episode of The Circus.

Cross Talk: Season 7, Episode 3 - Special

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 17:17:52 -0500

In advance of World Radio Day 2023 - February 13th. The UNESCO theme for World Radio Day this year is Radio and Peace. That seems to have some resonance with students in my RAMP 5504 Program Making - Radio Lab class in the graduate certificate Radio and Media Production program at Humber College in Toronto. Listen in on our roundtable discussion as the students bring their stories and perspectives to radio's contributions toward peace through emergency communication; comfort and companionship and inner peace; information about LGBTQ+ issues and rights and more. Part 2 of 2; part one is in Episode 2. From February 8, 2023. Recorded on a Rode Rodecaster podcast kit at the college. #WorldRadioDay

Cross Talk: Season 7, Episode 2 - Special

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 17:13:41 -0500

In advance of World Radio Day 2023 - February 13th. The UNESCO theme for World Radio Day this year is Radio and Peace. That seems to have some resonance with students in my RAMP 5504 Program Making - Radio Lab class in the graduate certificate Radio and Media Production program at Humber College in Toronto. Listen in on our roundtable discussion as the students bring their stories and perspectives to radio's contributions toward peace through radio drama, music, crisis communication, disaster relief information and more. Part 1 of 2; part two follows in Episode 3. From February 8, 2023. Recorded on a Rode Rodecaster podcast kit at the college. #WorldRadioDay

Cross Talk: Season 7, Episode 1

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 18:41:39 -0400

On Radio and Roswell: 75 years later. On July 8, 1947 the U-S military announced it had recovered a flying saucer near Roswell, New Mexico. A day later, it rescinded the story; but not before the individual who had "discovered" the wreckage had told their story in an interview for broadcast on the radio. That interview...never aired. But does a recording still exist? On the 75th anniversary of the official news about the Roswell Incident. For educational purposes; makes fair use of audio from ABC Radio News from July 8, 1947 retrieved at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUlCBY-K9A8

The book I refer to is The Truth About the UFO Crash at Roswell by Kevin D. Randle and Donald R. Schmitt (Avon Books, New York 1994).

Cross Talk: Season Six, Episode 11

Sat, 12 Feb 2022 14:53:40 -0500

On trust in radio on World Radio Day. From February 11, 2022. UNESCO -- the United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization -- designates February 13th as World Radio Day. Each year's recognition has a new theme; this year's is trust. Let's consider that, in light of the three sub-themes of the day. Commentary.

This show also airs on 96-9 CKHC-FM Radio Humber from Humber College in Toronto. On World Radio Day, it airs at 12 noon Eastern; 4pm and 7pm.

Cross Talk: Season Six, Episode 10

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 11:55:09 -0500

On how to frame the events on Parliament Hill. From February 4, 2022. As a protest by a group calling itself Freedom Convoy continues in Ottawa, perhaps some more attention should be given in the news to the people who seem to be looked up to by the protestors. What started out being billed as a truckers' protest against a federal mandate about being vaccinated against covid-19 in order to cross the Canadian border seems to have become a general rage against all covid restrictions. Of course most of those are the jurisdiction of provincial governments, not the federal government. But some fringe political figures insist protestors won't budge unless the federal government gives in to their demands to end all covid restrictions. Makes fair dealing use of audio Tweeted by Ontario MPP Randy Hillier; news conference audio broadcast over CTV; public domain audio from the House of Commons.

Cross Talk: Season Six, Episode Nine

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 16:03:50 -0500

On radio station branding – and what’s in a name. From January 27, 2022. Another information radio station in Toronto has rebranded - changed its name and its on-air imaging that signifies how it wants to be perceived. It's probably not wise to have "News" in the name of your radio station if your on-air product is mainly "talk". For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of aircheck audio from CFMJ Toronto, now re-branded as 640 Toronto.

For more on the difference between news and talk: Season 3, Episode One: https://paulcrosstoronto.podbean.com/e/cross-talk-season-3-episode-1/

For reference to the late 2021 re-branding of 680News Toronto and some thoughts on the future of news: Season Six, Episode Two. https://paulcrosstoronto.podbean.com/e/cross-talk-season-six-episodetwo/

Cross Talk: Season Six, Episode Eight

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 22:55:28 -0500

On media manipulation: the premier’s snow job. From January 20, 2022. The Premier of Ontario takes a drive after the worst snowstorm Toronto has experienced in years and the news media falls for his good guy tactics. Commentary and analysis. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of bits of audio from CP24, the 12:36, City TV Toronto, CFRA Radio Ottawa, @Radio_Brent from Indie 88 Toronto.

Links to places I found audio for this episode:

@Radio_Brent

https://twitter.com/Radio_Brent/status/1483184000378277890

12:36

https://1236.substack.com/p/doug-fords-littlest-snow-shovel-show

CityTV Toronto

https://www.breakfasttelevision.ca/videos/ontarians-react-to-doug-ford-helping-people-stuck-in-the-snow/

CFRA Radio Ottawa

https://www.iheartradio.ca/580-cfra/audio-podcasts/the-morning-rush-premier-doug-ford-interview-positive-news-on-the-way-later-this-week-1.16960462?mode=Article

The Global News Toronto web story with photos provided by the premier's office

https://globalnews.ca/news/8516631/doug-ford-helps-drivers-southern-ontario-snowstorm/?utm_source=%40globalnewsto&utm_medium=Twitter

Cross Talk: Season Six, Episode Seven

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 09:25:12 -0500

On covering the insurrection. From January 12, 2022. On January 7th -- one day after the anniversary of the assault on the U-S capital -- I check in with a radio and tv reporter who was there, reporting the events as they were happening. Reggie Cecchini is a Washington correspondent for Global News, and is heard on Global News and Corus-branded radio stations across Canada as well as on tv news. Students note: he's a graduate of the Broadcasting - Radio program at Humber College. Our full interview discussion is part of course content in RBD 154 in Winter 2022. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of audio from a live-hit stand-up tv report on Global News Toronto from January 6, 2021.

Cross Talk: Season Six, Episode Six

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 15:42:33 -0500

On transmedia and multiplatform storytelling in the age of the pandemics. From December 17, 2021. In the time of the pandemic, users are using more of our creative content to meet their wants and needs. As I was producing this episode, we were on the verge of a new round of restrictions on activity because of a wave of another variant of the virus. There will be more engagement in the content we make available. In this episode, I consider the concept of uses and gratifications. The term audience is already so old and outdated as a concept. It's all about the user experience now, being everywhere the user might find you, and considering how the user who becomes a fan may wish to engage further. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of bits of audio from The Tonight Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS-TV.

Cross Talk: Season Six, Episode Five

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 18:48:15 -0500

How local radio reacts – the murder of John Lennon. From December 8, 2021. FM rock radio in New York City breaks the news to listeners...on December 8th, 1980. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of bits of audio from The Ed Sullivan Show on CBS, 1964 and radio aircheck and archive audio from WPLJ -FM New York, ABC Radio News New York and WNEW-FM New York. The WPLJ aircheck recording can be found on YouTube, posted by TVR Productions. They say the radio audio was recorded on an 8-track tape. Oh, the recording 8-track. Gives me another idea. I hope to find access to some of the remarkable on-air recordings from CHUMFM Toronto and from CFNY-FM for a future episode, too.

Cross Talk: Season six, Episode Four

Fri, 26 Nov 2021 09:50:38 -0500

On preserving Canada's radio and tv history. From November 25, 2021. Radio history is part of our history. But there's no publicly-funded, organized institutional repository or archive of significant audio or other records from Canada's radio history. By contrast, the United States has a Radio Preservation Task Force at the Library of Congress. In Canada, a charitable foundation -- the Canadian Communications Foundation -- started with a grant from broadcasters as a "Centennial Project" in 1967 appears to have run its course, and is likely to archive its decades of writings and audio online. Meantime, another group still faces obstacles after 20 years of trying to create an online museum of Canadian radio and tv history. Hello, National Archives of Canada...your move? For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of audio from Canada Post; CBC archives; The Canadian Broadcast Museum Foundation; cites The Canadian Communications Foundation.

The CCF website and resources can be found at www.broadcasting-history.ca

The Canadian Broadcast Museum Foundation is at www.aireum.ca

The CBC Radio and tv archives can be found at https://www.cbc.ca/archives

The US Radio Preservation Task Force is at https://radiopreservation.org/

Photo: Showing crew with equipment labelled from CHNS Radio, Halifax and CRC (before CBC) taken from Nova Scotia Archives https://archives.novascotia.ca/

Cross Talk Season Six, Episode Three

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 15:37:55 -0500

On the podcast career accelerator at Hot Docs. From November 12, 2021. The Hot Docs documentary festival in Toronto is offering young independent podcast makers an opportunity to learn from experts. Their initiative seems like something that would appeal to many of the students I teach in the three academic programs I'm involved in; so I connected with the festival to find out more. For education purposes. Makes fair dealing use of a bit of audio from The Kids Table comedy troupe, found on YouTube. Original interview with Stephanie McArthur of Hot Docs conducted by me. Here is the link for applying to the two initiatives she discusses: https://www.hotdocscinema.ca/c/podcast-accelerator?ep=1&utm_source=ExternalOutreach&utm_medium=PodcastOrgs&utm_campaign=PodcastFestival&utm_id=utm_id&utm_content=CareerAccelerator

https://www.hotdocscinema.ca/c/opening-act

Cross Talk: Season Six, EpisodeTwo

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 11:14:35 -0500

On the Future of News - Part One. From November 4, 2021. On various occasions this season I will explore aspects of The Future of News from perspectives of news production, distribution, audience -- including uses and gratification, user experience, and user feedback and response. I will connect these episodes with research I am conducting. In part one here, I scratch the surface on some recent changes at three AM radio stations in Toronto that have news and news-talk formats. The news-talk stations focus on talk; the amount of local news they generate and broadcast uniquely to their listeners has been drastically reduced by corporate moves that leave them sounding much like promotional arms for the corporate news products; and much less-equipped to generate local news on their own. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of top-of-the-hour station identification and news sounders from AM640 Global Newsradio Toronto, CityNews680, and Newstalk 1010.

Cross Talk: Season Six, Episode One

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 17:41:20 -0400

On resisting the ongoing abuse of the War of the Worlds broadcast. From October 27, 2021 - just ahead of World Audio Drama day October 30th. This is the fifth episode in my ongoing defence of War of the Worlds as brilliant fiction on radio; so powerful it gave the aggrieved print media of 1938 more fuel for its outrage about a newer, faster medium. For educational purposes. The previous episodes exploring my concerns regarding the ongoing mistreatment and miseducation about the broadcast are here:

2020: https://paulcrosstoronto.podbean.com/e/cross-talk-season-5-episode-1/

2019: https://paulcrosstoronto.podbean.com/e/cross-talk-season-3-episode-5/

2018: https://paulcrosstoronto.podbean.com/e/cross-talk-season-1-episode-8/

2018: https://paulcrosstoronto.podbean.com/e/cross-talk-season-1-episode-7/

Cross Talk Season 5 Extra: You Won‘t Hear this on the News - Episode 12

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 16:26:48 -0400

From September 30, 2021. On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. There is a role for everyone to play. Here are some thoughts, based on points I raised in a letter to my member of parliament, in the days following the Every Child Matters march in July.

Cross Talk Season 5 Extra: You Won‘t Hear this on the News - Episode 11: 9/11

Sat, 11 Sep 2021 00:42:48 -0400

From September 10, 2021. On the eve of the 20th anniversary of the events of September 11th, 2001. Broadcasting, podcasting, newspapers and online sites are full of features, analysis, documentaries and special reports about 9/11 including the memories of people who reported the events. Some of that is by or about people who were on tv that day. But for millions of people, the story started on the radio on their way to work. I was on my way to work on the radio...hearing the people already there at work on the radio starting to tell the story from the moment it started. Some radio reporters got a call: get over the border...now...before it is closed; get to New York and start sending back news. Some of my recollections of that day, and how the story was covered on the radio. You won't hear this on the news.

You Won't Hear this on the News - Episode10/Cross Talk Season5 Extra

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 13:28:37 -0400

On Emancipation Day. Suppose it's the first time Canada officially commemorates Emancipation Day as a national holiday. That would be on the news that day, would it not? I think news coverage was severely lacking. Not a word in some major newspapers that weekend. Almost nothing on broadcast news or newsroom social media. Why not? Do we just not want to know what it's really about? From August 5th 2021, having waited a few days after August 1st to see whether follow-up coverage came. Unscripted.

You Won't Hear this on the News - Episode 9/Cross Talk Season Five Extra

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 16:51:32 -0400

From July 1, 2021: The Every Child Matters March through downtown Toronto. This time: walk with thousands from the Toronto Council Fire building at Parliament and Dundas Streets to Nathan Phillips Square at Toronto City Hall. Days after unmarked graves are discovered, containing the bodies of more Indigenous children who died at places Canada calls "residential schools", thousands of people join in marching and demanding action. News coverage I have seen does not reflect the feeling of the event. In 15 minutes here, join the march from the starting point to the beginning of ceremonies. Stereo, edited but no processing. Recorded on H2Zoom handheld recorder.

Cross Talk extra: The Erasure of Race: The murder of Howard Joel Munroe. Part 1 - A Killing in the Park - documentary

Fri, 21 May 2021 12:10:20 -0400

The murder of a young Black man by members of a racist white gang in a city park during fireworks for the Victoria Day holiday in 2001 should have sent waves of shock and outrage through the mid-sized city where it happened. And beyond. It was two years before anyone was arrested in the killing of Howard Joel Munroe in Victoria Park in Kitchener, about an hour west of Toronto. This is not a true-crime series. This is an examination of the death of Howard Joel Monroe; a story that should be well-known across Canada...but is not.

We begin our examination which includes historic and contemporary perspectives and theory with a documentary originally produced in 2016. A Killing in the Park is based on original reporting and interviews by Paul Cross, with audio first gathered in the weeks and months following the murder.

In the follow-up discussions, commentary, and historic audio, listen as Dr. Stanley Doyle-Wood and Cross analyze the issues, events, and story. Our intention is to do this in a way that honours the memory of Joel, and the strength and resistance of his family and friends.

The Erasure of Race: The murder of Howard Joel Munroe. Part 1 - A Killing in the Park.

WARNING: The content of this story may be upsetting. The language reported by people involved, and the descriptions given, as well as the substance of the story may be triggering. Please be advised.

Thank you for listening; we'll soon provide a new link for the entire series, rolling out over the days across the 20th anniversary of Joel's murder.

Cross Talk extra: Season Four, Episode 15 reload

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 09:01:13 -0400

In April 2021 there has been a great deal of coverage on podcasts, radio and tv of the one-year anniversary of the mass murder in rural Nova Scotia: April 18 and 19, 2020. For an in-depth examination of the case I highly recommend the series 13 Hours: Inside the Nova Scotia Massacre from CuriousCast. Episode six is particularly valuable for its examination and exposure of communication and coordination failures by the RCMP. But I want to return to an examination of the news industry in Nova Scotia. The news media missed the story Saturday night after the the first tweet by the RCMP. The story could have, should have been on the radio and on newsroom social feeds late Saturday night. On-call reporters could have inserted cut-ins on radio; information could have appeared on tv. A year later, I'm still wondering...how did the news media miss it? Many newsrooms seemed to be aware of nothing about the case until a follow-up tweet from the RCMP Sunday morning; more than eight hours after the first. I'm left to believe that not one single person who works in media in Nova Scotia -- news, production, programming, music, sales, promotion, management, creative, administration -- caught a very unusually-worded tweet from the police before midnight on a Saturday night. Because it was unusual enough that anyone with any connection to any form of news media should have contacted someone else from their workplace about it. Newsrooms could have been on the story hours earlier; it could have been running overnight and much earlier Sunday morning. But newsrooms missed it...and too many are playing the game of blaming the RCMP for not doing more. Yes, it should have. But where was the media for eight hours?

Updated from April 30, 2020 with one small edit: I originally mis-identified the opening emergency audio as being from the RCMP; it's other first-responders arriving at the scene Saturday night.

There's more detail in this post, too: https://paulcrossradio1.wordpress.com/2020/04/22/novascotiashooting-no-emergency-alert-is-that-why-local-broadcasters-missed-the-story/

Regarding any conflict in timing of communications: The timeline appears to be 11:32pm local time for the first RCMP tweet, and 8:02am for the second.

The photo shows the timing of the first time the story appears on the Canadian Press newswire feed that would go to radio stations: 9:10am Toronto time, Sunday April 19th.

You Won't Hear this on the News - Episode 8

Sat, 17 Apr 2021 14:03:18 -0400

The government of Ontario wants police to start random stops of people on the street or in traffic to make them justify having left their homes during the stay-at-home rules of the pandemic. Who do you think would be likely to get targeted and stopped? A frightening order to be taking effect on the 39th anniversary of the formal signing of Canada's constitution. But what's this? Some municipal police forces, including the one where I live in Toronto...are telling the government...we're not going to do that.

Update: Later in the day April 17 2021 the provincial government announced it was rescinding its direction for police to conduct random stops.

Cross Talk: Season Five, Episode 19

Thu, 25 Mar 2021 16:34:43 -0400

On the first all-female broadcast crew in NBA history. From March 25, 2021. The Toronto Raptors become the first team in NBA history to have a game with an all-female broadcast crew: play-by-play announcer, analyst-colour commentator, sideline reporter, and broadcast show co-hosts. It's just the third time in history a woman has performed the play-by-play. First time was in 1988; and then, not again until 2018. Meghan McPeak -- an alum of the Broadcasting - Radio program at Humber College in Toronto -- makes history as the first woman to do it a second time. And as the first woman of colour. Of course it's all very exciting for one of her former professors. For Educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of bits of audio from TSN Toronto, WUSA-TV Washington D-C, and highlights posted by the NBA on YouTube. (Image taken from TSN.)

This is the final episode of Season Five. Subscribe to get instant notice of episodes in my other project series, and for instant updates when Season Six begins!

Cross Talk: Season Five, Episode 18

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 07:14:39 -0400

“How radio listeners need their own baseball play-by-play”. From March 18, 2021. Listeners have been tuning in on radio to live play-by-play of baseball games for nearly a century. In Toronto, Blue Jays baseball on the radio became the soundtrack of the city in the glory years of the early 1990s, when the Jays won the World Series two years in a row. But now, the corporation that owns both the Jays and the broadcast says it's dropping its specialized radio broadcast, and putting sound from tv on the radio instead. No other team in Major League Baseball goes without a home radio crew. TV audio is a poor substitute on radio. And it goes against the idea of accessible media. Commentary. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of audio of Tom Cheek's famous call of the 1993 championship game on radio, posted to YouTube by MLB and tv audio posted by MLB; and from Sportsnet The Fan 590. For more on hearing sports play-by-play on High Definition Radio -- HD-- please check Season Two, Episode 12. (Photo: me with the World Series trophies at a time when 1050CHUM was home to the Jays Radio play-by-play.)

Cross Talk: Season Five, Episode 17

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 20:38:51 -0500

On pandemic stories in audio fiction. From March 11, 2021. On the first "anniversary" of living in the pandemic, I'm listening for audio stories about living in a pandemic. Audio drama -- ensemble, assembly or solo fiction -- is giving us new ways of exploring life in times of a pandemic...as escape. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of bits from 2084 by Rainer Pluckebaum; On a Dark, Cold Night by Kristen Zaza, and The Apocrypha Chronicles from Renaissance Opera. Three very different approaches from creators in Canada. (Image from the World Health Organization.)

You Won't Hear this on the News - Episode 7

Sun, 07 Mar 2021 16:08:46 -0500

On the passing of radio news star Dick Smyth. From March 7, 2021. Stories are being told as news reaches us that Dick Smyth has passed away. His newscasts and his commentaries on 1050 CHUM are legendary. One of a kind. My unscripted thoughts, having worked with him at 1050 CHUM starting in 1985. I neglected to mention how wary some people in the AIDS community were of speaking with me as I set out on a major documentary in 1991, because of their memories of things he had said on air years earlier. Maybe that's a story for another day. For now...some thoughts on Smyth.

Cross Talk: Season Five, Episode 16

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 21:26:38 -0500

“On women in radio on International Women’s Day”. From March 4, 2021. When academics and researchers write about women in radio they tend to lean toward public radio and community radio. That's largely the case in a new book about women in radio in Canada. It's another worthwhile edition. I wonder if academia isn't missing a lot though, if more time is not spent examining the roles of some very well-known and popular women in commercial radio. A few suggestions here, from my own long years in commercial radio, about women whose stories I think would make valuable study. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of bits of audio from CBC, CHUM-FM, City-TV. (Photo: Women in Radio - Unfiltered Voices from Canada. Edited by Genevieve Bonin-Labelle; University of Ottawa Press, 2020.). For more on the historic significance to radio of Hilda Matheson, please check Season 2, Episode 6.

Cross Talk: Season Five, Episode 15

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 07:11:40 -0500

On hearing sounds from Planet Mars on the radio here on Earth. From February 25, 2021. We are fascinated by the planet Mars. It stands out in the night sky, and we are drawn to it. Since the mid-70s, machines from Earth have been landing on Mars and gathering data. Now, there's a new probe -- Perseverance -- on Mars, looking for signs of previous life. And for the first time, part of the mission is to search for and transmit sound from Mars back to Earth. Of course, the sounds NASA is making public...are being heard on the radio! For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of bits of audio released by NASA and radio, tv and movie sounds in the opening montage. (Image: DPA microphone, as shown on dpamicrophones.com)

Cross Talk: Season Five, Episode 14

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 09:56:27 -0500

On how there's nothing funny about switching from a sports radio format to "funny". From February 18, 2021. Among the effects of the mass changes at radio stations controlled by Bell Media is the trashing of labour-intensive sports formats in cities including Hamilton, Winnipeg, and Vancouver. In Vancouver, TSN 1040 is now Funny 1040. Sports radio listeners are outraged; you can find their independent videos on YouTube. Hamilton already had Funny 820 where a once historic CHAM had lived. That station has been airing an independently produced live morning show. Until the hosts walked away from the radio station, live on air. Commentary. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of bits of audio from the Humble and Fred radio show and podcast -- humbleandfredradio.com (Image from istockphoto.com)

Cross Talk: Season Five, Episode 13

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 17:23:23 -0500

On World Radio Day - and its themes of Evolution, Innovation, Connection. From February 11, 2021. February 13th is recognized as World Radio Day. It's an initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization --UNESCO. This year's episode of the podcast looks at the three themes of the day by applying them against specific developments in radio. Of course, the possibilities are endless. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of samples of various radio broadcasts.

Today's episode is registered with the World Radio Day events registry.

You Won't Hear this on the News - Episode 6

Sat, 06 Feb 2021 14:58:41 -0500

On the mass layoffs in radio - including CFRB Newstalk 1010 and CJAD. From February 6, 2021. Hundreds of people have been thrown out of work in the past few days, in the midst of a pandemic...after spending the last year serving as essential workers in the pandemic...and helping to keep people informed. Sure, I no longer have my Friday night newscasting gig. But for most of the people thrown out, what they did there was their livelihood. Some unscripted thoughts, a few days after the firings...and why all this matters...but...you won't hear this on the news.

Cross Talk: Season Five, Episode 12

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 15:52:12 -0500

On the power of a poem. From February 3, 2021. It was a tense moment in history. Who knew what might happen as Joe Biden was being sworn in as President of the United States on January 20th? It was just two weeks to the day since a violent insurrection. Whatever they had anticipated, people watching and listening remember this among the highlights of the day: the performance of a poem by Amanda Gorman. Yes, words matter. Poems have power. And you can find a poetry "scene" in almost any city...and, on the radio. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of bits of audio from Democracy Now, CNN, The Daily Social Distancing Show with Trevor Noah, and Howl from CIUT-FM Toronto.

Cross Talk: Season Five, Episode 11

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 11:00:20 -0500

On whether news gathering is an essential service during a state of emergency. From January 27, 2021. In Ontario, newspapers, radio and television broadcasting are listed on the province's document specifying businesses and services considered "essential" during the Covid-19 state of emergency. So does that mean reporters are safe when doing their work? Is news gathering an essential activity? As heard in this episode, police have stepped in to block news gathering in at least one case where a news videographer was trying to cover a covid protest in downtown Toronto. Isolated incident? Or is this a taste of how police are going to be used to interfere in news production? For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of audio taken from video posted online by CNN, Global TV, CityTV. (Image taken from CityTV).

Cross Talk: Season Five, Episode 10

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 22:33:09 -0500

How local radio reports on a national crisis happening in its own community. From January 20, 2021. The world was watching and listening as a mob invaded the U-S Capitol in Washington January 6th. But to people who live and work in Washington, it's a local story. Their local radio stations need to serve them. This time, a taste of how news and talk stations in the city reported the story on air as it was happening. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of aircheck audio from CBS Radio, WTOP and WMAL Washington.

Cross Talk: Season Five, Episode Nine

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 23:37:00 -0500

How a memo from a Radio boss does not violate a host's right to freedom of speech. From January 13, 2021. Right-wing talk radio hosts in the U-S have been influencing and encouraging Trump supporters for years. But since the election of November 2020, many have been going even further: they have been perpetuating the falsehood that he had won the election. It took the violent insurrection of January 6th for a radio company that is one of the biggest producer/purveyors of toxic talk radio to tell its hosts stop telling that lie. One understands a host might react on air. But claiming the memo infringe's a host's right to freedom of speech is also a lie, and hosts know it; and they're playing to the civically ignorant and media illiterate. Commentary. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of bits of audio from The Mark Levin Show and the Rush Limbaugh Show both from January 11th.

Cross Talk: Season Five, Episode Eight

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 16:20:53 -0500

On the different receptions Americans are given in Washington - depending on race. From January 7, 2021. What was obvious to anyone watching live video of the attack on the U-S Capitol during election certification is that the insurrectionists were mostly white. That's something we'll have to bring back to audio reporting including radio -- describing who's there. Because the story here for today's episode is about the difference in the way authorities prepared and reacted for a recent peaceful gathering by Black people and supporters, compared with the non-preparation for a gathering of mainly white people...whose leaders urged them to be anything but peaceful. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of bits of audio from CNN and Sportsnet TV; all other audio is public domain.

You Won't Hear this on the News - Episode 5.

Sat, 02 Jan 2021 13:54:44 -0500

From New Year's 2020/2021. You Won't Hear This On the News, but it should be news. One of the great friends...supporters...boosters...writers...champions of the Toronto live music and songwriters scene passed away in late December 2020. Gary 17 was an original; writer, entrepreneur, publisher, songwriter, promoter. Some unscripted thoughts, recorded outside.

Cross Talk: Season Five extra

Thu, 24 Dec 2020 11:09:54 -0500

On A Christmas Carol on the Radio. Reposting, with a slight edit to remove the original reference to live theatre performances, which were happening when I produced it in December 2019. For nearly a hundred years, the Charles Dickens classic has been coming alive on the radio at Christmas time. Makes fair dealing use of bits of audio from the 1951 United Artists picture; the 1939 Campbell Soup Playhouse radio production starring Lionel Barrymore, with Orson Welles as the narrator, and from Radio Drama Revival Project. For educational purposes. The hardcover "The Books of Christmas" by Charles Dickens, pictured in the photo here was published in 1907. The Radio is a General Electric TA200A VY, 1960s but hard to date exactly. For previous Christmas-time Radio history please listen to Season 1, Episode 15 - "On the Canadian Christmas Eve broadcast that gave Radio to the World".

Cross Talk: Season Five, Episode Seven

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 16:41:35 -0500

On Making Change: It's a Start. From December 17, 2020. Continuing the theme of how things might change in the era of Black Lives Matter and the growing sense that this other pandemic -- racism -- must also be the focus of vast resources and commitments. Last week's episode looks at how people are starting to inform themselves better. This time...a surface-level look at a very few select cases which suggest there is some will to make some change. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of audio from CBC news video (re: McNeil, Nova Scotia), YouTube (Jaffer's site). Final original episode of 2020.

Cross Talk: Season Five, Episode Six

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 09:35:42 -0500

On how news reporting is changing and consumers are engaging with new content about the other pandemic. From December 10, 2020. Has the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 given people the time...and the mindset...to become more aware, more concerned and more vocal or active...about the other pandemic that's been dragging on for centuries? Perhaps it's the awareness of the news through mass media and social media that is driving new engagement in the vast array of new materials -- books, audio books, video -- about systemic racism and especially the constructed racism and oppression of Black people in western countries. Concurrently, mass media reporting about both the individual flashpoint cases and the reality of systemic racism is changing; systemic racism is reported as fact. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of bits from audio book samples from audible.ca including The Skin We're In by Desmond Cole, White Fragility by Robin D'Angelo, and How to Be Less Stupid About Race by Crystal Fleming.

Cross Talk: Season Five, Episode Five

Thu, 03 Dec 2020 23:15:35 -0500

On MOVE, Mumia Abu-Jamal and Prison Radio. From December 3, 2020. A story from history that resonates today is being brought back to life with a new documentary-style video series this month. The story of MOVE in Philadelphia and the fates of nine Black people sent to prison for decades over the case should be remembered. It's still going on. One of the most outspoken members of the Move 9 has been speaking out for decades...over the radio. This time...Mumia Abul-Jamal...and Prison Radio. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of Prison Radio audio files and the trailer for the HBO series 40 years a prisoner. (Image taken from YouTube).

Cross Talk: Season Five, Episode Four

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 09:35:32 -0500

On 100 years of Radio. From November 20, 2020. Radio is now in its second 100 years. In the months following the start of XWA Montreal in December 1919, radio stations were coming on the air in the United States. WWJ in Detroit and KDKA in Pittsburg have their official starts in August and November 1920. Had 2020 not been under the cloud of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, maybe the celebrations of their 100th anniversaries would have been more high profile in the broadcast industry and related academia. This time...100 years of radio, including XWA; WWJ; KDKA. And 98 years of news on BBC. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of bits from official anniversary videos from Canada Post -- about XWA -- WWJ, KDKA and BBC Radio. For more on XWA Montreal please check Season 3, Episode 9. (1920s microphone image taken from Pinterest)

Cross Talk Season Five, Episode 3

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 09:19:59 -0500

How conservative talk radio hosts react to the apparent outcome of the U-S election. From November 13, 2020. It's no surprise that when high-profile talk radio hosts returned to the airwaves on Monday, November 9th -- two days after it became apparent that Donald Trump would not be re-elected -- they came out against Joe Biden and in support of Trump's efforts to stay in office. This time, a listen in to some of what they say as Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin and Michael Savage open their microphones for the first time since the news of Saturday, November 7th. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of bits of audio from the Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin and Savage Nation shows. For earlier examinations of the influence of conservative talk radio hosts in the U-S, please visit Season Four, Episodes Two and Four.

Cross Talk: Season Five, Episode Two

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 09:28:20 -0500

How Radio Covers the U-S Election: From November 5, 2020. Coverage of local elections is very important to local radio stations all over the world. Whether they provide full coverage as an election night show, special updates throughout the counting, or limit it to extra reporting in their newscasts, the coverage is important to listeners, radio workers, and to the reputation of the station in the community. For educational purposes: an examination of content from coverage of the U-S election on election night November 3rd, and follow-up on the morning of November 4th on radio stations in Toronto, in the U-S, and beyond. Makes fair dealing use of bits of audio from WABC New York; WNYC New York; WTAM Cleveland; WLW Cincinnati; WBBM Chicago; KFI Los Angeles; Newstalk 1010 CFRB Toronto; 680 News Toronto; CBC Radio One Toronto; BBC World Service London; RJR Kingston Jamaica.

Cross Talk: Season Five, Episode 1

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 12:13:15 -0400

Just in time for #WorldAudioDramaDay 2020: I'm starting Season Five! My newest examination of what happened...and what did not happen...when War of the Worlds was performed live on radio on October 30, 1938. As I have argued in Season 1, Episodes 7 and 8 and Season 3, Episode 9...the broadcast did not cause "mass panic". But it served the interests of the newspaper industry of the day to manufacture a crisis of confidence against radio. This time, more on the historic treatment of the broadcast, including a look at how some podcasts are covering War of the Worlds. I'm starting to hear other researchers pointing out: there was not a mass panic. For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of snippets from the CBC Gem trailer for War of the Worlds (2020 tv series); The Uncoverup Conspiracy Cast podcast (July 31, 2020); Radio Lab (October 2018); Everything War of the Worlds (October 2020).

I highly recommend a listen to the Radio Lab episode; and to the Uncoverup series.

There are still so many more layers to the story of War of the Worlds.

You Won't Hear This on the News - Episode 4

Sat, 10 Oct 2020 15:34:04 -0400

Donald Trump has been given hours of free airtime. Unchallenged, unquestioned, un-fact-checked...on right wing talk radio. On hundreds of radio stations, with a reach way into the millions. But print, online, tv and other audio media were waiting to see what would happen on a one network "tv" show for his first "on camera" interview since returning from the hospital. What happens earlier in the day on radio is really significant. But you won't hear this on the news.

You Won't Hear This on the News - Episode 3

Sun, 30 Aug 2020 15:45:02 -0400

NBA players, coaches and team owners are leading where elected officials and other influential citizens are failing. It's time for more people to speak up and to take action. What kinds of action might be productive toward creating change? Actions that have impact on the finances and operations of people and organizations that are so far failing to end systemic racism within their spheres. Some suggestions here. From August 30, 2020. Unscripted.

You Won't Hear this on the News - Episode Two

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 14:38:20 -0400

My unscripted thoughts on finding the story about Michelle Obama's remarkable speech to the Democratic National Convention missing from the news on the radio on the very station that carried the speech, and on the radio in Toronto the next morning. It's the most significant story of the day, in my opinion.

Season 4 Extra 1: You Won't Hear This on the News - Episode 1: Buffalo's Columbus statue

Fri, 10 Jul 2020 12:12:35 -0400

Unscripted, live-to-tape commentary moments after the conclusion of a news conference carried live on Newsradio 930 WBEN in Buffalo New York, received over the air in Toronto. The statue of Columbus in Buffalo is being taken down and moved; not in any attempt at dialogue for the times in which we live, but in order to preserve it and replace it with something else celebrating one community in that city. I wonder how the mayor really feels about it, and about his role in the situation.

Cross Talk: Season Four, Episode 17

Fri, 15 May 2020 12:13:14 -0400

"Thank you, Radio." From May 15, 2020. Radio stations around the world have been providing more than the latest news during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many are performing at their peak, under difficult circumstances, in trying times. Several recent episodes have highlighted and examined various aspects of local radio's response to the crisis -- notably, episodes 14, 13, 11 and 10. Today...to end this season...I'm saying "Thank you, Radio."

For educational purposes. Makes fair use of bits of audio from Newstalk 1010 Toronto, a spot produced for Sleep Country Canada, and audio provided by CJRT JazzFM Toronto.

Final episode of Season Four; there are now 60 episodes in total.

Cross Talk: Season Four, Episode 16

Fri, 08 May 2020 10:08:47 -0400

"On toxic talk radio." From May 7, 2020. In Season 4, Episode Two I raise the concept of "toxic" talk radio; radio that is extreme in its philosophy and hostile toward people with differing approaches and opinions. The talk radio we have in Canada is mild by comparison; even the politically right-wing talk shows here pale by comparison to the extremism typical in the examples given in this episode. Some radio and communications students have heard of some of the hosts sampled here; many have heard, or heard of, none. Everyone in radio and mass communication should have some awareness. These hosts are powerful; they influence opinion and actions. Makes fair use of samples from the Mark Levin show, Savage Nation with Michael Savage, and the Rush Limbaugh show. For educational purposes.

Cross Talk: Season Four, Episode 15

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 23:26:13 -0400

"On the failure to warn the public" From April 30, 2020. The RCMP in Nova Scotia chose to use Twitter to warn residents in an isolated rural area to stay inside and lock their doors when they were called to the scene of murders and arson on a Saturday night in April. It was another eight hours or so before they felt a second tweet was warranted; after a witness came forward and told them the man they were looking for was dressed as a cop, and driving a replica cruiser. What unfolded overnight and through Sunday morning became the worst mass murder in Canadian history. It didn't take long for radio and tv stations to wonder why the RCMP had not issued an "emergency alert" to warn the public. But someone should also be asking...how did radio and tv miss the story for so many hours? They could have had the story on the air late Saturday night. But they missed it.

Cross Talk: Season Four, Episode 14

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 16:17:11 -0400

"How Radio adapts in the Time of the Pandemic" - from April 17, 2020. Continuing my examination of radio's response to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Previous episodes include reference to special programming, and to radio hosts performing from home. In this episode, a former talk show host -- the current mayor of Toronto -- returns to the air to host a one-time call-in show; and two morning co-hosts share their story of adjusting to broadcasting from their basements at home. Makes fair use of audio from Newstalk 1010 Toronto. Thank you to Samantha Houston and Neil Hedley of AM740 CFMZ Zoomer Radio in Toronto for responding to my request for their participation by recording together and sharing their stories.

Cross Talk: Season Four, Episode 13

Thu, 09 Apr 2020 14:39:28 -0400

What if Radio was not there? From April 8, 2020. What if you turned on the radio and there was...nothing there? Unthinkable. In the time of the covid-19 pandemic, local radio is doing more and more to keep listeners informed, entertained and comforted. No other form of media is going to talk about radio the way radio is talking about them. But it's been that way for a long time. Me? I love to talk about Radio. Here we go.

No use of audio this time. Because what if...there was nothing there?

Cross Talk: Season Four, Episode 12

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 08:31:06 -0400

"On how it took a crisis to make government communication more accessible in Canada.” From April 2, 2020. In the daily public briefings about the covid-19 held by government and public health authorities in the city of Toronto, the province of Ontario, and the federal government of Canada, a sign language interpreter is participating. They should have been routinely included in public announcements and briefings for many years now; perhaps decades. But their appearance has been unusual. Until now. It seems it has taken a real public health emergency to bring American Sign Language translation and interpretation into the strategic communications approach of public bodies in Canada. Sign language that fits use by local populations everywhere should be part of the communication. While we're thinking about this more "accessible" communication approach, let's also get rid of some nasty old discriminatory language, too.

Opens with audio from daily briefing by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, as he recognizes the work of ASL interpreter Christopher Desloges.

The full scripts of this episode -- and others, starting with Season Four Episode 10, are also available at https://paulcrossradio1.wordpress.com Beginning now, any audio embedded in the podcast is shown transcribed in the script on the Wordpress site.

Cross Talk: Season Four, Episode 11

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 08:24:16 -0400

"On listening to the news about government response to covid-19". From March 25, 2020. Commentary. This episode shifts toward the commentary spectrum as I react to updates I hear on the news, in order to demonstrate what constitutes commentary for radio in Canada. It's designed to fit with a course I teach in spring semester -- online now, during covid-19 -- in which radio news students will write and produce -- perform! -- a radio commentary as their final assignment. (I think they'll have a lot to say!) Based on Canadian laws that apply, this piece qualifies as fair comment, and meets all the other tests a radio commentary writer needs to consider. May be of use in courses in radio, news production, journalism, broadcasting, public relations, media studies, communication studies. Makes fair use of the opening sounder and first 20 seconds of CBC Radio 1 World Report from 8am March 25/20.

For an examination of radio commentary in Canada, please revisit Season One, Episode Nine.

Cross Talk: Season Four, Episode Ten

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 12:44:57 -0400

"On local Radio in the time of covid-19". From March 17, 2020. In the midst of a pandemic of the covid-19 corona virus, most of what makes up "normal" activity for hundreds of millions of people is disrupted. Sports, late-night tv talk, restaurants, bars and theatres are closed. People still need routine. Radio can be a big part of that. While every news outlet in every form of media works extra-hard under difficult circumstances, Radio can continue to adapt and do even more. Some thoughts from my career in crisis-coverage in radio. While radio keeps up its daily routine, providing news, information, entertainment, comfort, and companionship...it should bring in more. Stephen Colbert and other late-night tv hosts should move to radio.

This is the first episode produced entirely at home; different software, and a few issues to work out. Just like radio.

Cross Talk: Season Four, Episode Nine

Fri, 13 Mar 2020 10:33:24 -0400

"On Covid-19 in the News". From March 12, 2020. One could make the case that "everything changed" in the 24 hours connecting March 11th and 12th. Professional sports, concerts, public events, even tv talk shows started disappearing in the hours after the World Health Organization started describing the Covid-19 corona virus spread as a pandemic. Radio must remain and keep on doing what it does; we need that sense of carrying on. In this episode, a thumbnail sketch of some aspects of news coverage on radio and the atmosphere that had been created around coverage in North America by the actions of the U-S president. And some questions about news coverage in Canada -- including, why are broadcasters not reporting the federal health minister expects up to 70 per cent of the population could become infected? How did the national wire service not see that as a major development in the story? Makes fair dealing use of bits of broadcast audio from CFTR 680News, Newstalk1010 CFRB, BBC World Service, CBC Radio One.

Radio: Keep on doing what Radio does best. Students of Radio: Listen up! This is a unique opportunity to really examine what radio does in times of crisis.

Cross Talk: Season Four, Episode 8

Sat, 07 Mar 2020 08:44:04 -0500

"On the pioneering innovations in radio by Hilda Matheson". From March 6, 2020.

Whether many people working in radio and audio media including podcasting today are aware of this or not, many of our contemporary approaches to professional practice stem from the vision of a woman who is one of the great pioneers of radio. And they’ve been in practice, for almost a century. The opening montage is a reflection of this.

On World Radio Day this year – February 13th – I explored the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s theme of diversity in radio. That's in Season 4, Episode 5. The UNESCO focus includes diversity among radio news workers. One of the themes within that is certainly women in radio news. I pointed out news directors at several major radio stations in Toronto are women; there are women who are corporate executives in radio news here; and certainly, there’s a need for growth.

Now, for International Women’s Day – another United Nations initiative – I want to bring back to focus some of the enduring radio and audio media practices, shaped by the innovations of a woman who was a pioneer of radio, as early as 1928. I’m going to be looking back to Season 2, Episode 6.

I think everyone working in radio today, and those in non-fiction podcasting and audio media, should learn about the life and times and innovations…of Hilda Matheson.

Makes use of bits of the "Week in Westminster" from BBC (2019). Refers to "Radio Girls" by Sarah-Jane Stratford (New American Library, 2016), "Broadcasting" by Hilda Matheson (Home University Library, Thornton Butterworth, 1933) and my review https://paulcrossradio1.wordpress.com/2017/01/28/how-a-novel-about-radio-becomes-a-valuable-resource-for-teaching-and-learning-about-radio/ (2017)

Cross Talk: Season Four, Episode Seven

Sat, 07 Mar 2020 08:30:22 -0500

"On Reaching out on World Radio Day" From February 28, 2020. In Season 4, Episode 5 I explore the concept of diversity in radio from the three perspectives prescribed by UNESCO for World Radio Day 2020, which was February 13th. On that day, campus radio stations connected with academic programs at Humber College in Toronto, Canada and the University of Sunderland in the U-K connected live on air to exchange ideas and learn about radio in the other country. Listen in!

Cross Talk: Season Four, Episode Six

Sat, 22 Feb 2020 11:45:55 -0500

"On the broken emergency alert system" From February 21, 2020. When a false "emergency alert" was sent out suggesting there had been an incident at a nuclear power station near Toronto on January 12th, it took 43 minutes for a correction. When a false alert -- including information that it was not a drill -- about an incoming missile was issued in Hawaii, it took 38 minutes for a correction to come out. How the Pickering nuclear alert was sent out in error almost does not matter any more. What still matters six weeks later is the lack of public information about who should have done what when the message came out; and why and how so many individuals and organizations were so slow to react. For educational purposes.

For more on the role of local radio in times of local crisis please listen to Season 1, Episode 6; and for more on being prepared for an emergency and the necessity of battery-powered radio, please listen to Season 1 Episode 3.

Cross Talk: Season 4, Episode 5

Thu, 13 Feb 2020 08:31:36 -0500

"On World Radio Day - 2020". From February 13, 2020. UNESCO -- the United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization -- designates February 13th "World Radio Day" dating back to 2011. It's more than a celebration of the ongoing vitality and lifeline nature of radio; it's also a time for critical thought about some aspect of radio. This year's theme is "diversity" in radio, according to three broad criteria. Today: an insider's look at diversity in radio in Toronto. The city itself has about 50 over-the air licensed broadcast radio stations: nearly 30 FM radio stations and about 20 on AM. How do they measure up to the UNESCO criteria? My insider's observations.

Cross Talk: Season Four, Episode Four

Sat, 08 Feb 2020 13:29:22 -0500

"On a Radio Moment during the State of the Union address". From February 7, 2020. The State of the Union address included a four-minute detour to recognize and honour a right-wing talk radio host who reaches millions of listeners each day, who are likely supporters of Donald Trump. It's just the third time in history a radio broadcast performer has received the Medal of Freedom from a U-S President. It's never been done before during a State of the Union address. Quid pro quo? Makes fair dealing use of short bits of audio from EIB network (U-S) and public domain audio from the address.

Cross Talk: Season Four, Episode Three

Fri, 31 Jan 2020 13:23:28 -0500

"On Ways of Listening: H-D Radio" from January 31, 2020. HD -- High Definition Radio -- is one way AM radio in North American cities might reach listeners who cannot receive AM signals well depending on buildings and topography. Not all broadcasters have added HD service to their FM carriers; and some who have...almost never tell listeners about it. It's still virtually impossible to find a radio with HD capability in a store in Toronto. Is HD worth the trouble and expense for a listener? Listen: hear how news/talk radio sounds on AM compared with HD; and how one AM music station sounds on AM, on FM and on HD. Makes fair dealing use of bits of audio from Newstalk 1010 CFRB Toronto and CFMZ AM740 Toronto. For educational purposes. For a taste of what sports play-by-play sounds like in high-definition, please check Season 2, Episode 12.

Cross Talk: Season Four, Episode Two

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 09:56:40 -0500

On Talk Radio - on the morning after the start of the impeachment trial. From January 23, 2020. On the morning after the impeachment trial begins in the U-S Senate, morning talk radio hosts are hard at work discrediting the process, dismissing the issues, and boosting Donald Trump. The stations they're on will spend a lot more time on letting them talk...than on reporting the news. A sample of some of what's happening; a preview of an episode to come later this season, looking at some of the more extreme hosts in right-wing talk radio. For educational purposes. Students of radio, broadcasting, mass communication, journalism, public relations should be aware of what talk radio is doing. Makes fair dealing use of bits of audio from Hugh Hewitt show; Bernie and Sid; Brian Kilmeade Podcast; Sandy Beach; Rush Limbaugh; WDTK Detroit; WABC New York; WBEN Buffalo; WHAM Rochester; KWFS Wichita Falls Texas; KPNS Duncan Oklahoma.

Cross Talk: Season Four, Episode 1

Fri, 17 Jan 2020 12:16:42 -0500

On how we communicate in the 20s: 1920/2020. From January 17, 2020. In 1920 your radio and your telephone gave you access to the world; in 2020, one device that does everything gives you the world on demand, including radio. Radio changed everything. Makes fair dealing use of audio from Smithsonian TV (America in Color: The 1920s); the original Wheaties "jingle" 1927; 1929 news reel (ownership not clear); movie The Jazz Singer (Warner Brothers, 1929); archive audio of William Lyon MacKenzie King, 1927. For educational purposes. After 100 years of radio, what's different? And what is...rather alike? First episode of Season Four. For more on the 100th anniversary of licensed broadcast radio, please refer to Season 3, Episode 9 - from December 2019, about XWA Montreal becoming the world's first licensed radio broadcasting station in December 1919.

Cross Talk: Season 3, Episode 11

Thu, 19 Dec 2019 11:07:37 -0500

"On a Christmas Carol on the Radio". From December 13, 2019. Final episode of season three. By the time the most enduring radio version of A Christmas Carol was on the air, the story was almost 100 years old. It's a story that still gets new versions made in various media, every year. One of the most enduring movie versions still played year after year dates back to 1951. But before that version captured hearts and minds, radio had been broadcasting a production that dates back to 1934; even though the popular recording of that version is from the performance in 1939. Makes fair dealing use of bits of audio from the 1951 United Artists picture; the 1939 Campbell Soup Playhouse radio production starring Lionel Barrymore, with Orson Welles as the narrator, and from Radio Drama Revival Project. Wellesnet.com and Wikipedia.org were good resources for quick reviews of dates for this episode. For educational purposes. The hardcover "The Books of Christmas" by Charles Dickens, pictured in the photo here was published in 1907. The Radio is a General Electric TA200A VY, 1960s but hard to date exactly. For previous Christmas-time Radio history please listen to Season 1, Episode 15 - "On the Canadian Christmas Eve broadcast that gave Radio to the World".

Cross Talk: Season 3, Episode 10

Fri, 06 Dec 2019 11:28:25 -0500

"How Transistors made Radio truly portable - 65 years ago". From December 5, 2019. The hot-ticket item for Christmas-time shopping in 1954 was a new style of Radio. Portable, compact, even small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. The transistor radio sparks another revolution in radio listening, and in radio programming for the teenagers who flock to buy the new devices. Makes Fair Dealing use of bits from tv commercials and promotions for radio companies in the 1950s including RCA, Remco and Sylvania. Reference to SONY, Bell Labs, Texas Instruments, Smithsonian Institute. For educational purposes. The photo here shows a SONY labeled at the Museum of Science in London in 2016 as being one of the first compact transistor radios; model number not clear. It's a hand-held model about the surface size of an iPhone 4, but about three times as thick.

Cross Talk: Season 3, Episode 9

Fri, 29 Nov 2019 10:39:10 -0500

"On the 100th Anniversary of Radio in Canada". From November 28, 2019. Licensed Radio broadcasting as we know it starts in Canada on December 1, 1919. That's before radio was being heard in Britain or the United States. There's little fanfare about it, but XWA Radio started in Montreal, Canada 100 years ago. Exhibits commemorating it are being staged at the Emile Berliner Museum in Montreal. For educational purposes. For still more on Canada's "invention" of what we know as radio broadcasting please listen to Season 1, Episode 15; and Season 2, Episode 1. Makes reference to XWA/CFCF; KQW; KDKA; and to broadcasting-history.ca

Cross Talk: Season 3, Episode 8

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 09:31:19 -0500

On the Case of Don Cherry's Comments on Coach's Corner. From November 21, 2019. A hockey segment co-host has been fired because of his "you people" comments on air November 9th, which seemed to target immigrants. There's been a great deal of news coverage, opinion, and talk on air and online since that event. There has been less analysis from a broadcast perspective. What are the broadcast implications of the case? Are there codes of conduct that apply? What about the many complaints filed with the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council? For educational purposes. Makes fair dealing use of short audio bits from Global tv news; City; CBC. Refers to CBSC.ca

Cross Talk: Season 3, Episode 7

Fri, 15 Nov 2019 12:40:11 -0500

"How to Listen to Radio - part three: FM". From November 15, 2019. There's nothing like the sound of FM stereo radio! In part one, I explore night-time tuning on AM radio; in part two, I cover streaming and apps. Now, let's dive into the high-fidelity sound of FM radio. These episodes are designed for anyone who loves radio, and for students who are studying radio or mass communication in general. I'm encouraging students...experiment with a radio tuner. For educational purposes: Makes fair dealing use of audio bits from JazzFM 91.1 Toronto; CHFI; Boom 97.3; CHUM 104.5; Q107; CIUT; CKHC 96-9 Radio Humber; CBC Radio 1; and samples from other stations as I turn the tuning knob on an analogue receiver so we can hear everything the tuner receives. (Part one is in S3, Ep4; Part two is in S3, Ep6).

Cross Talk: Season 3, Episode 6

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 15:38:36 -0500

"How to Listen to Radio, Part two: Apps and Streaming". From November 8, 2019. A follow-up to Season 3, Episode 4 - which deals with listening to AM Radio over the air. This time: searching and listening for radio using apps or online searches; how to find a broadcast radio station almost anywhere in the world. Makes fair dealing use of audio bits from BBC London; LBC London; CJME Regina; RTHK Hong Kong; CITI FM Accra, Ghana; 1540AM ZNS-1 Bahamas; Nationwide FM Kingston, Jamaica.

Cross Talk: Season 3, Episode 5

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 07:54:16 -0400

"On War of the Worlds - On World Audio Drama Day" From October 30, 2019. World Audio Drama day is recognized on the anniversary of the October 30, 1938 live broadcast over CBS Radio Network affiliates of the Mercury Theatre adaptation of The War of the Worlds, written by H.G. Wells 40 years earlier. Continuing my case from Season 1, Episodes 7 and 8 from October 2018, this episode maintains the extent of any "panic" from the show was overstated by the lead researcher, and reporting in an unfair and unbalanced way by a hostile print media. Those phenomena have led some teachers and professors over the decades to perpetuate myths against radio. Makes fair dealing use of bits from War of the Worlds (1938), The Fall of the City (1937), CBS Radio News (1938), BBC Radio News (1938). Includes look at newspaper reporting mentioning CFRB Toronto. Reference to The Invasion from Mars: A study in the psychology of panic by Hadley Cantrill (1940) and Broadcast Hysteria: Orson Welles's War of the World and the Art of Fake News by A. Brad Schwartz (2015). For more on the reaction, research, and the dozens of signs the show was obviously fiction, please check Season 1, Episodes 7 and 8.

Cross Talk: Season 3, Episode 4

Fri, 18 Oct 2019 10:09:48 -0400

"How to Listen to Radio" - Part One. From October 18, 2019. The term "radio" gets applied to a variety of types of access to audio. My focus here is on broadcast radio. Listening to radio gives me access to the world. In this episode: using a radio receiver to explore and discover, to hear what you can tune in. Makes fair dealing use of bits of air check audio from WBBM Chicago; WABC New York; WJR Detrpoit; KMOX St. Louis; WTAM Cleveland; WDCX Buffalo; CHAM 820; CFMZ 740; CFTR 680 and more, as I turn the tuning dial. For educational purposes.

Cross Talk: Season 3, Episode 3

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 09:27:42 -0400

"On a Reporter's dilemma." From October 11, 2019. When a wave of environmental protest spread through dozens of cities around the world in early October, listeners were well aware it was coming. Radio reported extensively for days before it happened. Reporters dutifully staked out bridges, waiting for the protest to start. But what to report? In Toronto, protestors did not rush a major bridge and block traffic. No! They moved out onto the bridge...after police blocked off traffic so the demonstration could happen. That's not how it was reported, though. Some thoughts on that story, and on reporting on mass protests. Makes fair dealing use of bits of audio air checks from 680News, NewsTalk 1010, CBC Radio 1, and CTV.

Cross Talk: Season 3 Episode 2

Fri, 04 Oct 2019 14:49:42 -0400

On how "There are no breaks in Radio". A listener should never hear a host of a podcast or radio show talk about taking a "break" or doing something "after this break". If mid-rolls or stop sets "break" your program, that's a fault of the way they're written, structured or delivered. It's poor program execution. Because they are, of course...part of the flow you want the listener to hear! Follows up a conversation started on Twitter, advancing the case I've made for years: the term "break" does not belong on the air. Reference to @airchecker. Makes Fair Dealing use of audio bits from NPR Politics podcast (2019), Blue Coal presents "The Shadow" (1937), TM Productions "You" campaign demo (1975), History of the 90s podcast (2019).

Cross Talk: Season 3 Episode 1

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 13:38:42 -0400

"On the difference between News and Talk". Listening to talk radio is not the same as listening to the news. At a time when traditional mass media news is under attack, it may be even more important for broadcasters to help listeners and viewers be aware: Is this news? Or it is talk? Makes Fair Dealing use of short bits of audio from Fox tv, CNN, BBC Scotland, Newstalk 1010 CFRB, AM640 Toronto, Canadian Press national newscast.

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 15

Thu, 23 May 2019 13:17:57 -0400

On the Future of Listening. From May 17, 2019. Listeners will continue to find things to...listen to. Final episode of season two. Season three is coming in September 2019. Makes fair use of audio bits from Downton Abbey, Audible spot, Serial Box show intro.

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 14

Fri, 10 May 2019 14:46:11 -0400

On comedy and satire in political commentary. From May 10, 2019. The further away news organizations get from real news analysis, and the deeper into acrimonious opinion panels...the more room they make for someone else to do the analysis. Jon Stewart found a huge hole to fill with deep dives on issues of the day, peppered with biting commentary. He called it "fake news" when he found some news organizations upset with his style. There's still lots of room today; since most tv "news" channels feature opinionated hosts, and panelists with entrenched positions. Most of what we see on "news" channels is not news; it's "talk". So it's a good thing that nightly or weekly shows can take time to dig deep into an issue, and wring it tight with sharp commentary. Makes fair use of bits from CNN Crossfire, The Daily Show, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, The Rick Mercer Report.

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 13

Fri, 03 May 2019 12:09:47 -0400

On propaganda passed off as news: From May 3, 2019. When the premier of Ontario went to New York City to visit influential corporations and appear on a tv talk show, his office made sure it did not advise Toronto news organizations until the day before the event. Whether local media needed to go, should have gone, or would have found real news value can be discussed. But in the absence of legitimate media coverage, the premier's own audio-visual crew traveled with him, and posted public relations -- propaganda -- pieces on social media. Would that be less unpalatable...if the premier was not so anti-media lately, even though he built his political brand on talk Radio? Makes fair use of bits of audio from Fox News tv; and Ontario News Now -- which is part of the premier's office, funded by the public. Commentary.

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 12

Fri, 26 Apr 2019 08:39:39 -0400

On High Definition Radio and Sports Play-byPlay. From April 26, 2019. High Definition Radio is just the latest attempt to enhance the sound of broadcast Radio. But do listeners know about it? Will broadcasters make it successful? Part one of at least two episodes related to HD Radio; this time, with a focus on the sound of sports play-by-play in HD Radio. Makes fair use of bits of actual play-by-play broadcasts of Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto Blue Jays games. Copyright is owned and explicitly claimed in on-air broadcasts by the organizations involved. Fair use of short pieces here for education and media analysis purposes. What does HD Radio sound like in comparison to AM Radio? Listen!

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 11

Fri, 12 Apr 2019 21:52:36 -0400

On Radio as a Source of Comfort. From April 12, 2019. Radio is a source of comfort and companionship. It gives a listener a sense that they are not alone, and life goes on. It may be even more important in times of personal trouble, as well as during times of local crisis. This episode, on Radio and its ability to offer comfort, is dedicated to the memory of Simeon Weber, a first-year Radio broadcasting student at Humber College.

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 10

Fri, 05 Apr 2019 09:35:47 -0400

On False and Misleading News on the Air in Canada. From April 5, 2019. Until a Supreme Court ruling in 1992, Canada had a Criminal Code law against spreading false or misleading news. Had that law not been found to be unconstitutional, would Canadians be facing criminal proceedings for some of the things they write or share on Twitter, Facebook, or other platforms? What about the false, staged stories passed off as real, included in Episode 9? If it's no longer a crime to disseminate false or misleading news in Canada, are there other guidelines news workers might follow? Yes. And what caused the law to change? Makes fair use of a bit from CBC Radio 1; refers to RTDNA Canada, Canadian Association of Broadcasters, CRTC Regulations for Radio, and CBC code of journalistic practices.

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 9

Sun, 31 Mar 2019 15:30:55 -0400

On April Fools and Fake News. From March 29, 2019. In which I maintain it's inappropriate for Radio news and public affairs program makers to make up fake stories to broadcast on April 1. If your currency with your listener is trust, it seems to me it's just wrong to fabricate stories and present them as if they are real! Makes fair use of bits from CBC Radio 1.

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 8

Fri, 22 Mar 2019 08:28:46 -0400

On declining to say his name. From March 22, 2019. The prime minister of New Zealand will not participate in giving a mass murder terrorist the publicity he sought. She will not speak his name. And Radio listeners do not need to hear his name in every story about the case. It will become a required part of the story at times -- when the story is about the court developments -- but even then, there's a way to focus the story. We had an approach in the big, tough rock'n'roll Top 40 Radio newsroom at 1050 CHUM Toronto that went back to the 70s. Radio today might benefit from our historic approach. Makes fair use of some bits from Newstalk 1010 CFRB in Toronto.

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 7

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 14:56:38 -0400

On the New Golden Age of Audio: From March 15, 2019. From the 1920s to the 1950s, Drama on the Radio was a popular listening pastime. Radio drama still is popular in many parts of the world. But there's a new Golden Age of Audio drama, too. It's in podcasts! Fair usage of bits of The Shadow; Suspense; X Minus One; Dead Air; Limetown; Tanis and Mind's Eye.

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 6

Fri, 08 Mar 2019 09:20:15 -0500

On International Women's Day: One of the unsung great Women pioneers in Radio. From March 8, 2019. The first "Director of Talks" at BBC Radio was a woman. She was recruited by BBC in 1926. One of the programs she created in 1929 still airs today; 90 years later! So why don't Radio professionals, students and academics know about Hilda Matheson?

Cross Talk: Season 2 Episode 5

Wed, 06 Mar 2019 21:22:53 -0500

"On reflections from PodCamp". From March 1, 2019. Podcast makers and listeners gathered at Podcamp Toronto were treated to two days of presentations and discussions, and left with inspiration, ideas, guidance, and new friendships. What a great event. My follow-up here is about some of the take-aways, trends, and tips from Podcamp. And I'm certainly not leaving out representation of two of my recent former students in the post-grad Radio and Media Production program at Humber College in Toronto, who were recognized at the second annual Canadian Podcasting Awards celebration during the weekend. Have a listen!