Accessibility links
David Folkenflik Folkenflik is NPR's media correspondent and is the host and editor of On Point from NPR and WBUR.
David Folkenflik 2018 square
Stories By

David Folkenflik

Fox's Cavuto: Trump Skeptic, Genial Workhorse

Neil Cavuto is something of a rarity at Fox: a civil presence and a critic of President Trump. Richard Drew/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Richard Drew/AP

Media

Fox's Cavuto: Trump Skeptic, Genial Workhorse

Neil Cavuto is something of a rarity at Fox: a civil presence and a critic of the president. He also hosts 17 hours live every week despite health issues so severe he can hardly read a teleprompter.

Fox's Cavuto: Trump Skeptic, Genial Workhorse

Listen · 4:25
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/611908440/612344792" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Media

Fox News' Neil Cavuto Hosts 17 Hours Of Live TV A Week Despite Physical Challenges

Neil Cavuto is a relatively calm Fox News personality. He's a Wall Street conservative less prone to shouting than musing, a host given to letting his guests have their say. He hosts more hours of cable news than anyone else at the big three news cable channels: 17 hours of live shows a week. And he does that despite having multiple sclerosis, which prevents him from doing so much as reading from a teleprompter.

Fox News' Neil Cavuto Hosts 17 Hours Of Live TV A Week Despite Physical Challenges

Listen · 4:25
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/612082654/612082657" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Fox News Pays $10 Million To Settle Racial, Gender Bias Suits

Former Fox News host Kelly Wright joins other current and former Fox employees at a news conference on April 26, 2017, in New York City. Wright alleged racial bias in failing to receive desired opportunities and promotions. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Fox News Pays $10 Million To Settle Racial, Gender Bias Suits

The settlements primarily involved allegations of racial bias against Fox News as well as gender bias and retaliation claims. The controlling Murdoch family hopes instead to focus on big deals ahead.

Media

NBC Investigation Finds Employees Did Not Feel Comfortable Registering Complaints

NBC Universal released report critical of climate at NBC News in wake of the Matt Lauer scandal, saying employees did not feel comfortable registering formal complaints. It also said current news leadership did not have knowledge of allegations.

NBC Investigation Finds Employees Did Not Feel Comfortable Registering Complaints

Listen · 3:54
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/609851247/609851248" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Media

NBC Universal Report Affirms Credibility Of Accusations Against Lauer

An NBC Universal report on NBC News finds accusations against Matt Lauer credible but says there's no proof executives knew. It calls for reforming HR and encouraging employees to report complaints.

NBC Universal Report Affirms Credibility Of Accusations Against Lauer

Listen · 3:59
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/609717465/609737902" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

NRATV Strays Seemingly Far Afield From Gun Ownership

National Rifle Association members did not have to travel to Dallas to keep up with activities at the recent annual convention. They could go online and tune in to NRATV for a live stream. NRATV isn't just for the convention. It's available to anyone with an internet connection, providing a steady pro-gun message, whether viewers belong to the NRA or not.

NRATV Strays Seemingly Far Afield From Gun Ownership

Listen · 3:52
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/609180824/609180825" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Under Pressure, Tronc Recognizes 'Chicago Tribune' Union

According to labor organizers, Tronc has agreed to recognize three separate bargaining units within the same union at its Chicago-area publications, including the Chicago Tribune. Bloomberg/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Under Pressure, Tronc Recognizes 'Chicago Tribune' Union

In the face of overwhelming support for the labor drive, the troubled media company relented, saying Sunday that it will negotiate with journalists at its Chicago-area publications.

Under Pressure, Tronc Recognizes 'Chicago Tribune' Union

Listen · 1:32
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/608903044/609020093" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Media

Major News Outlets Under Scrutiny For How They Handled Controversies

The New York Times and MSNBC are both facing criticisms they were less than transparent in handling recent complaints against high-profile employees.

Major News Outlets Under Scrutiny For How They Handled Controversies

Listen · 3:55
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/608291909/608291936" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Comedian's Controversial Performance At D.C. Gala Prompts Renewed Criticism

Saturday night's White House Correspondents Dinner featured a controversial performance by comedian Michelle Wolf, prompting renewed criticism of the annual event.

Comedian's Controversial Performance At D.C. Gala Prompts Renewed Criticism

Listen · 4:03
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/606932486/606932487" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Media

NBC Culture Questioned As Former Anchor Tom Brokaw Faces Sexual Harassment Allegations

Former NBC News Anchor Tom Brokaw is the latest to be accused of sexual harassment allegations at the network, as reports raise new questions about the workplace culture at NBC.

NBC Culture Questioned As Former Anchor Tom Brokaw Faces Sexual Harassment Allegations

Listen · 3:38
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/606580134/606580135" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Comcast's $31 Billion Bid For U.K.-Based Sky Complicates Murdoch Plans

Sky's independent directors have withdrawn their support for a deal for 21st Century Fox to buy the British company, setting the scene for a possible bidding war. Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Comcast's $31 Billion Bid For U.K.-Based Sky Complicates Murdoch Plans

Rupert Murdoch had decided to take over the British media giant and flip it with other 21st Century Fox properties in a sale to Disney. But Sky directors have pulled support from his bid.

Newsroom To 'Chicago Tribune': With 85 Percent Backing, We Have Votes For Union

Organizers of a newsroom union at the Chicago Tribune have given the Tribune's parent company, Tronc, a day to voluntarily recognize the guild and start to negotiate a contract. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Scott Olson/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Newsroom To 'Chicago Tribune': With 85 Percent Backing, We Have Votes For Union

Tribune journalists give corporate owner Tronc a day to recognize the union voluntarily. Otherwise, they say they will force a federal vote that "will result overwhelmingly in our favor."

Newsroom To 'Chicago Tribune': With 85 Percent Backing, We Have Votes For Union

Listen · 2:54
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/605230262/605272458" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Business

AT&T CEO Says Proposed Merger With Time Warner Would Benefit Everyone

The U.S. Justice Department is opposing the proposed merger of AT&T and Time Warner arguing it will weaken competition and harm consumers. AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson took the stand Tuesday to argue that the merger will benefit both the companies and the public.

AT&T CEO Says Proposed Merger With Time Warner Would Benefit Everyone

Listen · 3:12
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/604119730/604119733" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Media

Conservative Talk Show Host Sean Hannity Defends Connection To Trump's Lawyer

The revelation that Fox News host Sean Hannity is the mystery third client of President Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen is raising big questions about Hannity's judgment. Hannity defended Cohen on the air and railed against the raid of his home and office, but never disclosed his association with Cohen to Fox viewers.

Conservative Talk Show Host Sean Hannity Defends Connection To Trump's Lawyer

Listen · 3:53
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/603351942/603351945" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript