Robert Gutsche, is a leading scholar in the field of Journalism Studies where he applies critical cultural theory to investigate issues of power in journalism. He is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Critical Digital Media Practice at Lancaster University in the UK and Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Informatics at Vytautas Magnus University in Lithuania. As a journalist, his work appeared in The Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, the Guardian, and various other regional and local news outlets in the U.S. Gutsche has led digital innovation related to multimedia journalism, including through the use of virtual reality and other immersive media in storytelling and research at Florida International University in Miami, as well as dynamic storytelling at the University of Missouri’s Reynolds Journalism Institute, and non-profit news collaborations with the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Iowa.

As host and producer of The J-Word Podcast Robert ask, from a range of perspectives, what is journalism? How can we make it better? What does "better" look like? The podcast features discussions with academics and professionals who've published recently in Journalism Practice. The focus of the conversations includes assessing the transformations of advancing digital technologies in journalism, social issues and conditions that journalists (need to) cover, and the future of the field. Articles featured in the episodes are temporarily made free access for citizens, journalists, scholars, and students. While the discussions are rooted in research, they are approached to influence practice.  

Dario introduces the show by ruminating on what the recent events with regards to Joe Rogan and Spotify. What the discourse might mean podcasting in the nexus of ordinary conversation as free speech, the editorial responsibilities of institutionalised broadcasting, and how popularity and influence can contextualise those issues.