I’m a lucky guy.
I share my birthday with International Podcast Day on September 30.
The AI chefs in the Canva kitchen baked me a cake. Would you like a slice once I make a wish and blow out the candle?
We talk about podcasts in my family, so I cherish this birthday card my daughter once made for me, marking the twin occasions.
With that in mind, here’s what I’d like for my birthday this year.
I’d love a climate in the United States where the First Amendment is respected and upheld. The recent killing of Charlie Kirk - and the high-profile suspension of Jimmy Kimmel - are reminders of how fast our right to speak freely can get snuffed out.
I know. I know.
I know what you’re saying right now. “John, I can’t buy this on Amazon or in the gift card aisle at my local supermarket. Is this really a gift?”
To me, it is. And this is what I would like for my birthday. Why? Because freedom of speech is extremely valuable. It’s priceless. And I fear it’s eroding.
THANKFUL
As an American, I am thankful for the right to be able to speak my mind freely. In some other countries, those who speak out get mowed down by tanks, get pulled out of their beds in the middle of the night, or get sent to rat-infested prisons.
As a journalist, I am blessed. I have worked for some amazing news organizations. I am thankful I have never been jailed or tortured for reporting a story. In some parts of the world, journalists are murdered for simply doing their jobs.
As a podcaster, I am blessed because I work in an industry that exhibits energy, optimism, and freedom. Despite all our internal debates about video, YouTube, and artificial intelligence, we must remember the bigger picture - none of this is possible without the right to free expression.
If the First Amendment is compromised, so too is our industry.
SERVING THE PUBLIC
Podcasters must remember not only the freedom they have, but their responsibility. They should not only strive to produce quality content, but serve the greater good to inform, educate and entertain the general public. They should also hold those in power accountable whenever possible.
Our industry is now a mass medium. And with that comes the need to serve the public with quality, clarity and integrity.
Let’s not take this freedom for granted.
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified December 15, 1791:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
Proudly podcasting since 2006, John Wordock runs his own podcast and media consulting firm John Wordock Media. He was Executive Editor/SVP for Podcasting at Westwood One from 2019 to 2024, helping build Cumulus Podcast Network into a top ten network and top channel on Apple. He also served as Executive Producer for Podcasts at The Wall Street Journal until 2019. Wanna talk? Email John@JohnWordockMedia.com.
I forgot we share a birthday. Happy birthday my friend!