Written by: Marian Polanco
Emmy Award-winning journalist and National Public Radio “Morning Edition” host Michel Martin visited campus on Nov. 9 to speak with students and deliver a lecture titled “Making Sense of a Polarized World.”
Martin’s discourse with moderator David Barasoain, a well-known podcast producer, Southern alumnus and adjunct professor, covered a wide range of topics, from journalism’s roots to technology’s impact on information consumption.
Martin began the lecture by stressing the need for authenticity and the human factor in storytelling, stating, “People want to be known.” She urged those in the audience pursuing a future in journalism to seek out voices that have earned the right to be heard and to question the authenticity of stories, citing an interview with an author who fabricated her experiences in foster care.
“Journalism existed to amplify the points and views of people paying for it,” Martin said, reflecting on the historical role of journalism and how the field has evolved into today’s polarized media landscape. She criticized some journalists’ tendency to start their pursuit of a story with answers rather than exploring the “why,” resulting in biased news reporting.
“People with power and an audience are the ones who have an effect. Leadership does matter.”
Addressing the role of technology, Martin emphasized its moral neutrality, asserting that its impact depends on how it is wielded. She criticized algorithmic content delivery, which limits exposure to diverse perspectives, fostering polarization. Social media, she noted, amplifies content that provokes strong emotional reactions.
“People with power and an audience are the ones who have an effect. Leadership does matter,” Martin said.
She advocated for responsible media consumption and promoted “information hygiene” to prevent the spread of false information.
In a Q&A session with the audience, Martin addressed the issue of trust in the media, urging grace for human error. While discussing ways to engage with individuals who hold differing views, she emphasized the importance of finding common ground and doing activities together. Responding to a question about TikTok’s reliability as a news source, Martin dismissed it, classifying it as an unreliable source and once again emphasizing the importance of assessing credibility.
Martin’s visit marked the second annual R. Lynn Sauls Lecture Series event, organized by the School of Journalism and Communication (SJC). The series was inaugurated last year when Carl Bernstein, one of the reporters who uncovered the Watergate scandal, spoke with PBS host Alison Lebovitz on campus.
Rachel Williams-Smith, dean of the SJC, shared her perspective on Martin’s conversation with Barasoain with the Accent. She commended both individuals for their humorous approach and particularly appreciated Martin’s ability to avoid political landmines while delivering essential truths.
When asked about the lecture’s purpose, Williams-Smith said, “The topic, of course, was ‘Making Sense of a Polarized World’ — thoughts, feelings and perspectives in doing what she does, which is, in fact, making sense of a polarized world as a journalist.”
When asked how this year’s event differed from the previous year, she said: “You cannot compare it well because last year was the 50-year anniversary of Watergate. It was a major historical event,” which drew an audience of about 1,500 people. Martin attracted about 500, which organizers still consider a success.
Heidi Burke, a freshman journalism and history major, found Martin’s down-to-earth and truthful approach inspiring. During the evening event, she told the Accent she aspires to present herself like Martin in her professional career.
After the lecture concluded, the Accent and SAU News asked several students and faculty for their opinions on the conversation. A common praise was Martin’s unbiased wording when responding to questions.
Dennis Negrón, vice president for Student Development, applauded Martin, stating that “everything she was saying was something that could be said to both the liberal echo chambers and the conservative echo chambers.”
