June 19, 2026
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#1385 Should Robert Fife be Celebrated, or Should Reporters Retire Friendless and Despised?
“The goal of a journalist should be: I have no friends. Everyone should hate you. I think that should be your career goal.” - Jan Wong
Jesse Brown
Host & Publisher
James Nicholson
Producer
imogen sayers
Audio Editor
Tristan Capacchione
Senior Production Supervisor

Journalists and politicians are honouring Robert Fife, who retired after 48 years. Known for his big scoops, Fife leveraged anonymous sources to hold the powerful accountable. But Fife’s brand of “access journalism” also runs the risk of being used as a political tool. Jan Wong joins Jesse Brown to explain why journalists shouldn’t get too cozy with the politicians they cover.  

 

Host: Jesse Brown

Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), imogen sayers (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)

Guest: Jan Wong

Photo: Mark Blevis

Additional music by Audio Network

 

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