In this episode of Narrative Practices: Discourse in Action, Dr. Michelle L. Keller joins host Tony Errichetti, PhD, for a conversation about media bias, racialized reporting, newsroom accountability, and the future of trustworthy journalism.
Dr. Keller, a communication scholar and former journalist, discusses her research into The Kansas City Star’s historic public apology for decades of racist coverage and what it reveals about the narratives that shape American life. Through examples ranging from crime reporting to immigration, drug epidemics, and natural disasters, she breaks down how language, framing, and newsroom norms influence public perception and reinforce structural inequality.
The conversation explores:
- How major newspapers codified racial bias through language and the AP Stylebook
- Why The Kansas City Star issued a front-page apology — and what changed afterward
- Double standards in U.S. media: “looting” vs. “finding supplies,” “crack epidemic” vs. “opioid crisis”
- How DEI efforts are reframed through backlash narratives and “reverse racism” discourse
- How journalists can rebuild trust through representation, listening, and community-centered reporting
- Why a free and diverse press is essential for democracy, empathy, and public accountability
Dr. Keller offers a rare inside look at institutional reckoning in journalism — and what must happen next for media to serve communities with accuracy, integrity, and compassion.
🔗 Connect with Dr. Michelle Keller:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellelkeller/
