As those of you who know us well are aware, we at Skylark Bookshop are committed to the principles of freedom of speech and are vehemently opposed to the banning of books and the curtailing of anyone’s freedom of expression - or, indeed, freedom to read. So we are very excited to welcome renowned journalist Brian Karem to the shop to discuss his vital book, Free the Press.
Blending his experiences as a veteran reporter with analysis of the erosion of trust between the press and the government during the past 40 years, Karem gives readers a unique perspective on the challenges facing journalism while asking the question, "How did we get here?" and perhaps more importantly, "How do we fix it?".
Since the Vietnam War, each and every president has overseen the withering of relations between the Executive Branch and the so-called Fourth Estate. Politicians are not solely to blame, however. Corporate media has us following the news of the day for clicks and views rather than pursuing long term stories of impact. Reporters have ceased to frame the narrative and failed to co-opt social media contributions until it was too late. Placed alongside a firsthand view of Karem's own experience as a reporter and manager in television, print, and the online media industry, where he witnessed buyouts and the end of locally owned and operated newspapers; a behind-the-scenes look at his work as a member of the White House Press Corps; and his advocacy to protect the journalistic pillar of anonymity, readers will come away with a deeper understanding of journalism, and what happened to it, at the national and local level.
Karem concludes with a three-step plan to save the free press, as well as a comprehensive method to reporting for reporters to regain level footing and work toward repairing the damage done to one of the most important and sacred institutional relationships of our country.
Brian J. Karem is an award-winning journalist, Emmy-nominated reporter and author of seven books.
Karem is the senior White House correspondent for Salon.com where he is a columnist and regular contributor. He also serves as a regular columnist for The Washington Diplomat. He appears frequently on the countries top-rated shows, including “CNN Tonight with Don Lemon” and “Nicole Wallace Dateline.” Karem frequently guests on numerous radio shows throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe.
His podcast, “Just Ask the Question,” generates high ratings through topical interviews with engaging, knowledgeable guests, including veteran journalist Sam Donaldson, Emmy-nominated comedian and singer Randy Rainbow and Hollywood legend Carl Reiner, among others.
Karem is an accomplished First Amendment advocate and has testified before numerous state legislatures as well as Congress in support of free speech and a federal shield law for reporters. He is the founder of the “First Jailbirds Club,'' celebrating the accomplishments of reporters who have gone to jail to protect the First Amendment, and is a member of Investigative Reporters and Editors, the National Press Club and the White House Press Corps.
In addition, Karem is a recipient of numerous journalism awards, including the prestigious National Press Club Freedom of the Press Award and the Pieringer Award for Valor and Journalistic Excellence. Throughout his career, Karem has served on a number of volunteer boards. Currently, he is president of the Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia Press Association.
Karem has spoken, lectured and participated as a panelist at various college and university engagements as well as at many corporate and press events. He served as master of ceremonies for the Rene Moawad Foundation’s annual benefit gala and was a featured speaker at Detroit’s annual Images and Perceptions Diversity Conference. Karem has been the keynote speaker at several conferences, including Big Brothers Big Sisters in Louisville, Ky., and locally has moderated panel debates for candidates running for Congress, county executive and mayor, among others.
