Question Everything

Sofia Rubinson, senior editor who leads NewsGuard’s Reality Check and tracks viral disinformation. She walks through a widely shared claim about Benjamin Netanyahu, the viral café video some labeled an AI deepfake, and why detection tools and platforms amplified the lie. The conversation highlights rising realism in AI-generated content and how that reshapes what people believe online.

Jeremy Loffredo, an investigative reporter detained in Israel, recounts his arrest, detention, and legal battle. He discusses interrogation, prison life, courtroom clashes over journalism versus espionage, and how his story spread. The conversation also probes inconsistent accounts, media framing, and ethical questions around reporting methods.

A two-part investigative tale about an American journalist arrested in Israel and the risky reporting that led to it. Listeners hear about viral Gaza footage, controversy surrounding the outlet he worked with, and a tense blindfolded detention. The story digs into military press rules, alleged missile reporting that provoked authorities, and the dangers of inexperienced war coverage.

Natalia Antelava, founder of Coda Story and veteran foreign correspondent, draws on reporting from captured media environments. She discusses how concentrated ownership and business pressures produce self-censorship. Conversations cover subtle editorial shifts, the role of tech platforms in amplifying noise, and why regulation might be needed to protect independent journalism.

When a promising young freelancer pitched a good story to his magazine, editor Nicholas Hune-Brown was ready to assign it. But as he looked more closely at the pitch and the writer’s bylines across the internet, Nicholas began to realize maybe this writer wasn’t who she seemed. A version of Nick’s story first appeared in The Local – you can read it here. Please take 5 minutes to fill out this survey about Question Everything – it’ll help us know what you’re getting from our show; what you want to get from our show. We appreciate it. Question Everything is a production of KCRW and Placement Theory. And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter. Guests: Nicholas Hune-Brown, Executive Editor at The Local  Victoria Goldiee

Scarlet Kim, a Senior ACLU attorney who represented Mario Guevara, explains the legal fight over his detention and alleged First Amendment violations. The conversation covers how ICE and local authorities built a case using his reporting, disappearing footage, the habeas petition strategy, and the fast-tracked deportation process. Short, sharp, and focused on the legal maneuvers and institutional dynamics.

Emily Wu Pearson, Atlanta public radio reporter who witnessed the Doraville protest. Mario Guevara, founder of MG News and prolific Spanish-language livestreamer of law enforcement. They recount the chaotic protest, Mario being singled out and arrested despite press markings, his transfer into ICE custody, and the puzzling use of detainers and charges that followed.

A little message from host Brian Reed about a scary incident he’s dealing with. And much scarier incidents other journalists are dealing with. Question Everything is a production of KCRW and Placement Theory. Sign up for our newsletter to see Brian’s interview with Senator Dick Durbin about his effort to repeal Section 230. We want to know who is listening to our show and how to make it a better experience! Please take 5 minutes to fill out this survey about Question Everything. Thank you!

Mike Corey, a Minnesota dad, public historian and former data journalist, shares how he documents and organizes local responses to a federal ICE surge. He talks about daily life under heightened enforcement. He explains neighborhood Signal networks, verifying crowdsourced reports, and why he shows up in person to film tense encounters.

As ICE agents have continued to threaten and kill people in Minneapolis and Minnesota’s governor and other state officials plead with the agency to leave, we share an interview with the governor of another state that was recently targeted by ICE: JB Pritzker of Illinois.  In October, as ICE agents were descending on Chicago in “Operation Midway Blitz”, Ben Smith and Max Tani of the Mixed Signals podcast from Semafor spoke to Governor Pritzker about the novel communications tactics he was using to combat ICE’s incursion into his city. Eventually he was successful in stopping President Trump from sending in National Guard troops, and Border Patrol agents left the city. It was an urgent and timely conversation with lots of significance as we watch a similar situation unfold daily in Minnesota. Thanks to Semafor for letting us share this interview with you. Find all episodes of Mixed Signals here.   Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter here.  The hosts are on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltani Question Everything is a production of KCRW and Placement Theory.Please rate and review our show – on this very app that you’re in right now! And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter.