On iMEdD’s Small Talk podcast: Biden Institute Chair Valerie Biden Owens talks to journalist Anna-Kynthia Bousdoukou
In the latest episode of the Small Talk podcast series from journalism nonprofit iMEdD, journalist, iMEdD Co-founder / Managing Director, and SNF Dialogues Executive Director, Anna Kynthia Bousdoukou sat down with Valerie Biden Owens during the Biden Institute Chair’s first visit to Greece, Biden Owens spoke, among other things, about political campaigns, the role of media, and the inequalities highlighted by the pandemic.
On the polarization that dominates sociopolitical dynamics worldwide, Biden Owens commented that it is a symptom caused by the feeling that much of humanity is lagging behind on a multitude of social, political, racial, and environmental issues. In any case polarization has put democracy—a global, universal idea—in question. Speaking to Anna-Kynthia Bousdoukou, she said, “If we do not work together to preserve it, it will abandon us.”
Her long career in communication, as well as her deep knowledge of the way the media works, gave rise to a very interesting discussion on the crucial role of media in the functioning of modern, democratic societies, emphasizing the value of freedom of the press. Regarding the widespread lack of trust in the media, which will be a central topic of discussion at the International Journalism Week organized by iMEdD this October for the journalism community, Biden Owens commented that it is the responsibility of the press to meet the high expectations of the public, and the responsibility of journalists to do their best to report the truth.
The 40-minute discussion is the fourth episode of the Small Talk podcast series from iMEdD. You can listen to it below or on podcast platforms such as Google Podcasts, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
*iMEdD is a nonprofit organization based in Athens established in 2018 with exclusive support from SNF. Its mission is to support and promote transparency, credibility, independence, and excellence in journalism.