The David Pakman Show Explained

Runtime:
  • Television: 1 hour
  • Radio: 1 hour
  • Online: 1 hour (+15min Bonus Show for subscribed members)
Creator:David Pakman
Presenter:
  • David Pakman (host)
  • Pat Ford (producer)
Executive Producer:David Pakman
Producer:Pat Ford
Location:New York, New York
Network:Pacifica Radio (2006–present)
Network2:
Country:United States
Language:English

The David Pakman Show (TDPS), originally Midweek Politics with David Pakman, is a progressive[1] [2] news talk show currently airing on television, radio, and the Internet, hosted by David Pakman.

The program first aired in August 2005 on WXOJ-LP, a radio station located in Northampton, Massachusetts, later being nationally syndicated, and eventually achieving broader international distribution in a number of countries, as well as online.[3]

The show is made up of both live and pre-recorded interviews, clips from television and radio programs related to politics and current events, segments with correspondents on the street and in public, and other specially produced segments. It focuses on modern North American politics and society, with frequent discussion of economics, science, religion in public life, culture, LGBT rights, capital punishment and crime, policing, the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, North American foreign policy, technology, and other topical issues.[4] The show has drawn criticism for interviewing many fringe or "extremist" personalities, and has been accused of platforming them. Pakman has responded that these interviews expose their opinions to the public, putting them on record, and that he does not simply give them a "platform" to express their views without balance.

History

As Midweek Politics with David Pakman

Pakman started the radio version of the program at age 21 on Pacifica radio affiliate WXOJ while an undergraduate student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, during his time as an intern at the Media Education Foundation.[5] Public radio syndication began in 2006 on the Pacifica Radio Network. Initially, a handful of non-commercial talk radio stations broadcast the show in syndication.

The show expanded in 2007 to more public radio stations. Pakman was for a time the youngest syndicated radio host in the United States. The same year, Louis Motamedi, a childhood friend of Pakman's, was added as radio producer.[6]

In 2009, The David Pakman Show added its first commercial radio affiliates, starting with Green 1640 in Atlanta, Georgia and WHMP Northampton, Massachusetts. On September 2, Midweek Politics, a simultaneously-produced television show, was launched, originally offered to public-access television stations across the country as well as published on the show's YouTube Channel. The number of television affiliates grew and Pakman attributed this to expanding from radio to a visual medium. Pakman's brother, Natan Pakman, became the program's television director in September 2009.

As The David Pakman Show

In 2010, the show launched a paid membership program maintaining the podcast at no charge, but offering subscribers extra show segments, behind-the-scenes interviews, and access to show archives. In July of that year, the show obtained national television distribution through Free Speech TV.[7] The show's first international affiliate, Öppna Kanalen Skövde in Skövde, Sweden, announced in September 2010 that it would be airing the program. At the same time, the show was moved from WXOJ to its own studio in Northampton, Massachusetts, for both the radio and television versions. The name was then changed to The David Pakman Show, expanding from a weekly program to two episodes per week, broadcast live on Mondays and Thursdays at 3pm Eastern Standard Time.

Shortly after a broadcast on April 28, 2010, visitors to the show's website began to observe that the site was not functioning properly, and sometimes was inaccessible altogether. Denial of service attacks continued, eventually taking the site offline for two days. On the May 12, 2010, broadcast,[8] Pakman announced that the website had indeed been in the target of unknown deliberate malicious attacks starting immediately after the April 28, 2010, broadcast. Pakman did not indicate the specifics of who was suspected to be involved, but said a more detailed investigation was underway, and alluded to a connection between a guest on the program between April 28 and May 12.

In March 2012, the show announced an expansion to four episodes per week, Monday-Thursday, and a move to an earlier live broadcast time, 2pm EST. The same year, the show joined The Young Turks network,[9] although it has since left the network.[10]

Content

The David Pakman Show is a progressive talk radio program.

Pakman is a strong supporter of same-sex marriage, a topic which has often provoked conflict with guests on the program.[11] Pakman has regularly indicated that the more outrageous, extreme guests are not only interesting to interview, but create the most interest and engagement on behalf of the audience,[12] and that he often interviews people who "would be classified as 'extremists.'"

Glenn Miller

In April 2010, white supremacist Glenn Miller appeared on Midweek Politics. During the interview, Miller espoused a number of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and openly insulted Pakman using antisemitic slur. Miller also stated that Adolf Hitler was a "great man" and expressed disappointment that Hitler had not ultimately succeeded in the Holocaust. Snippets of the interview spread throughout the internet, garnering varied reactions. On the following program, Pakman responded to the controversy.

On April 13, 2014, Miller was arrested as the prime suspect in the Overland Park Jewish Community Center shooting. This arrest led to a frenzy of media interest, with Pakman and the original interview featured on CNN,[13] [14] The Huffington Post,[15] [16] The Boston Herald,[17] Mother Jones,[18] Raw Story,[19] Democracy Now,[20] WGGB-TV,[21] and Minneapolis radio station AM950. Miller was later found guilty of capital murder, and was sentenced to death by lethal injection.[22]

Paul Cameron

During an interview with Paul Cameron, the anti-gay psychologist and sex researcher, Cameron cited a study conducted by his Family Research Institute which reported that gays and lesbians in the military are far more likely to rape or sexually abuse fellow soldiers.[23]

Westboro Baptist Church live hack

Members of the Westboro Baptist Church have been interviewed many times on the show, including one incident in which Jake Davis, then only known as "Topiary", announced a live hacking attack on the church's website during a group interview with church spokesperson Shirley Phelps-Roper.[24]

Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt

Former Navy Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt, who has expressed anti-gay positions,[25] [26] has appeared on The David Pakman Show. He was honorably but involuntarily discharged from the Navy after a court-martial proceeding for refusing an order not to appear in uniform at political events to "pray in Jesus' name".[27] During a notable appearance, Klingenschmitt debated Jonathan Phelps, of the anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church. The interview drew media coverage due to the fact that both men held anti-gay positions, but disagreed on the reasons why being homosexual was wrong.[28] Klingenschmitt is also known for his efforts to shut down the YouTube channel of one of his most vocal critics, Right Wing Watch, which uses video clips of his statements.[29]

Gamergate

Starting in October 2014, Pakman conducted a series of interviews with people involved in Gamergate. People interviewed included game commentator John "TotalBiscuit" Bain, then-8chan owner Fredrick Brennan and game developer Brianna Wu, among others.[30]

Reception

Arthur Chu has criticized Pakman, arguing that Pakman indulges in sensationalistic "clickbaiting" and platforms people who otherwise would not have one.[31]

The David Pakman Show YouTube channel has been covered in reporting on the YouTube demonetization crisis, known colloquially as the "Adpocalypse".[32] [33]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bonn. Tess. June 21, 2019. Progressive commentator questions whether YouTube policies are being applied 'evenly and fairly'. November 24, 2020. The Hill. en.
  2. Want a Better Web? Here's an Idea: Pay for It. en-us. Wired. November 24, 2020. 1059-1028.
  3. Web site: The David Pakman Show | Stations . Davidpakman.com . February 10, 2011 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20110201012343/http://www.davidpakman.com/stations/ . February 1, 2011 .
  4. Web site: Interviews - The David Pakman Show. www.davidpakman.com. April 28, 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160128141459/https://www.davidpakman.com/guests-interviews/. January 28, 2016.
  5. News: Matt. Perkins. Unexpected Success. Daily News Tribune. December 25, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20100822194822/http://www.dailynewstribune.com/homepage/8999330294246932478. August 22, 2010.
  6. News: May 10, 2010. Michael. Dobbs. Northampton radio personality gaining audience nationwide. The Reminder. https://web.archive.org/web/20140414064419/http://www.thereminder.com/features/page2feature/nohoradiopersonali/. April 14, 2014.
  7. Web site: FSTV Welcomes David Pakman to News Line-Up | Free Speech TV . Freespeech.org . February 10, 2011. October 10, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111010090148/http://www.freespeech.org/blog/fstv-welcomes-david-pakman-news-line.
  8. Web site: May 12, 2010 | The David Pakman Show . Davidpakman.com . May 12, 2010 . February 10, 2011 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20101110001920/http://www.davidpakman.com/2010/05/may-12-2010/ . November 10, 2010 .
  9. News: Horgan. Richard. David Pakman Joins The Young Turks Network. March 16, 2015. FishbowlNY Blog. AdWeek. May 31, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402102556/http://www.adweek.com/fishbowlny/david-pakman-show-young-turks-cenk-uygur-ana-kasperian/172862. April 2, 2015.
  10. Web site: Why is TDPS no longer part of The Young Turks network anymore?. reddit. March 16, 2015.
  11. Web site: The David Pakman Show | Shirley Phelps-Roper . Davidpakman.com . October 31, 1957 . February 10, 2011.
  12. Web site: Jones . Matthew . Northampton political pundit David Pakman on the rise everywhere at 25 . masslive.com . March 23, 2010 . February 10, 2011 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20110706025948/http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/03/northampton_david_pakman_midweek_politics.html . July 6, 2011 .
  13. News: White supremacist suspect in Jewish Center shooting faces hate crime charges . CNN. April 14, 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140422200701/http://outfront.blogs.cnn.com/2014/04/14/white-supremacist-suspect-in-jewish-center-shooting/ . April 22, 2014 .
  14. News: Mayor wonders if Jewish center suspect wanted to 'go out with a bang' – CNN.com . CNN. April 16, 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140416180547/http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/16/justice/kansas-jewish-centers-shooting/ . April 16, 2014 .
  15. News: LISTEN: Accused Kansas Shooter's 2010 Racist Interview . . Michael . McLaughlin . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140416181600/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/14/frazier-glenn-miller-radio_n_5149214.html?1397520596 . April 16, 2014 .
  16. News: Kansas City Shooting Suspect Hoped The Next Adolf Hitler Sat In A College Class . . Tyler . Kingkade . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140416105406/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/15/kansas-city-shooting-college-class_n_5154627.html . April 16, 2014 .
  17. Web site: KC rampage suspect told UMass grad: 'I hate all Jews'. Laurel J. Sweet. Boston Herald. April 15, 2014. March 15, 2015. live. http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20140508074451/http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2014/04/kc_rampage_suspect_told_umass_grad_i_hate_all_jews. May 8, 2014.
  18. Web site: LISTEN: Alleged Kansas Gunman Frazier Glenn Miller Discusses the Tea Party, Obama, and Ron Paul. Mother Jones. March 15, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402175820/https://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2014/04/frazier-glenn-miller-interview-tea-party-ron-paul-obama-kansas. April 2, 2015.
  19. Web site: Kansas shooter ran for U.S. Senate, governor, declared war on Jews and 'white race traitors'. rawstory.com. March 15, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140417182625/http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/04/14/kansas-shooter-ran-for-u-s-senate-governor-declared-war-on-jews-and-white-race-traitors/. April 17, 2014.
  20. News: Goodman. Amy. Was Kansas Shooting Avoidable? White Supremacist was Ex-Informant with Criminal Past & Hateful Views. March 15, 2015. Democracy Now!. April 16, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150313030105/http://www.democracynow.org/2014/4/16/was_kansas_shooting_avoidable_white_supremacist. March 13, 2015.
  21. Web site: Alleged Kansas Shooter Spoke Out To Local Show Host. WGGB Springfield. April 14, 2014. Ryan. Trowbridge. March 15, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150331191645/http://www.wggb.com/2014/04/14/alleged-kansas-shooter-spoke-out-to-local-show-host/. March 31, 2015.
  22. Web site: F. Glenn Miller Jr. deserves death for killings outside Jewish facilities, jury says. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150910001215/http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article34347921.html. September 10, 2015.
  23. News: Alvin McEwen: Discredited Researcher: Gays in the Military Want to Rape Their Fellow Servicemen . . February 13, 2010 . February 10, 2011 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20101026040736/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alvin-mcewen/discredited-researcher-ga_b_461404.html . October 26, 2010 .
  24. News: Estes. Adam Clark. Anonymous shuts down Westboro Baptist Church site — during a live interview. March 17, 2015. Salon. February 26, 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402153033/http://www.salon.com/2011/02/25/westboro_baptist_church_anonymous_website/. April 2, 2015.
  25. Web site: Gordon Klingenschmitt. truthwinsout.org. March 15, 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141106224937/http://www.truthwinsout.org/tag/gordon-klingenschmitt/. November 6, 2014.
  26. News: Gordon Klingenschmitt . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130811020258/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/gordon-klingenschmitt . August 11, 2013 .
  27. News: Navy Chaplain Guilty Of Disobeying an Order . . Alan . Cooperman . September 15, 2006 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141107180008/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/14/AR2006091401544.html . November 7, 2014 .
  28. News: Anti-Gay Pundits Come To Surprisingly Different Conclusions On The LGBT Community . . Curtis . Wong . November 29, 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141107011111/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/29/westboro-baptist-church-jonathan-phelps-gordon-klingenschmitt-gay-community_n_2206817.html . November 7, 2014 .
  29. Web site: How Did a Conservative Colorado Preacher Get YouTube to Shut Down His Liberal Critics?. National Journal. March 15, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20141107005517/http://www.nationaljournal.com/technology/how-did-a-conservative-colorado-preacher-get-youtube-to-shut-down-his-liberal-critics-20131212. November 7, 2014.
  30. Web site: Can #Gamergate be rebranded? Should it be? Interview with Nick Robalik . . November 6, 2014 . November 26, 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141109031426/http://adland.tv/adnews/can-gamergate-be-rebranded-should-it-be/376533440 . November 9, 2014 .
  31. News: Arthur. Chu. Rage Against GamerGate's Hate Machine: What I Got For Speaking Up. March 15, 2015. The Daily Beast. November 17, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150319192603/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/17/rage-against-gamergate-s-hate-machine-what-i-got-for-speaking-up.html. March 19, 2015.
  32. News: How YouTube's Shifting Algorithms Hurt Independent Media. Amanda. Hess. The New York Times. April 17, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170523131550/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/17/arts/youtube-broadcasters-algorithm-ads.html. May 23, 2017.
  33. Want a Better Web? Here's an Idea: Pay for It – WIRED. Wired. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170519234319/https://www.wired.com/2017/05/want-better-web-heres-idea-pay/. May 19, 2017. Alba . Davey .

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