Name : Omotoso Oluwatomisin Joyce
Matric number: 240902517
Course code: MAS 313
Course title: Science and Technology
Department:Mass communication
Following Kara Swisher: Power, Platforms, and Accountability
To explore science and technology journalism through the lens of influence and accountability, I followed Kara Swisher, one of the most prominent reporters covering Silicon Valley and the tech industry.
Background
Kara Swisher has spent decades reporting on major technology companies and their leaders. She co-founded Recode and later contributed to outlets such as:
- The Wall Street Journal
- The New York Times
- Vox Media
She is especially known for interviewing high-profile tech executives and holding them publicly accountable.
Major Works
1. Podcasting and Interviews
Swisher hosts and has hosted influential podcasts including:
- On with Kara Swisher
- Pivot (with Scott Galloway)
Through long-form interviews, she questions CEOs, policymakers, and innovators about artificial intelligence, social media power, data privacy, and platform responsibility.
2. Books
- Burn Book – A memoir examining the rise of Silicon Valley and her experiences covering it. The book provides behind-the-scenes insight into the personalities shaping modern technology.
Reporting Style and Focus
Swisher’s journalism stands out because of her:
- Direct, confrontational interview style
- Deep industry connections
- Emphasis on power structures in technology
- Focus on accountability and regulation
Unlike purely technical science reporters, Swisher concentrates on the intersection of technology, politics, economics, and culture. She examines how innovations—particularly in AI and social media—reshape democracy, labor, and privacy.
Her interviews often reveal tensions between technological optimism and real-world consequences.
Key Themes in Her Work
After reviewing her reporting and interviews, several recurring themes emerge:
- Tech leaders must be accountable.
Innovation without oversight can harm society. - Power concentration is dangerous.
A handful of companies control vast amounts of information and infrastructure. - Technology is political.
Social media algorithms, AI systems, and data policies influence elections, markets, and public discourse. - Transparency matters.
Journalists play a crucial role in questioning narratives presented by powerful executives.
Conclusion
Following Kara Swisher highlights an essential dimension of science and technology reporting: scrutiny.
While many journalists explain how technology works, Swisher focuses on who controls it and who benefits from it. Her work demonstrates that science and technology journalism is not only about innovation—it is also about ethics, governance, and societal impact.
In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, big data, and platform economies, journalists like Kara Swisher remind us that progress must be examined, questioned, and held accountable.
Her reporting ultimately shows that the future of technology is not just a technical matter—it is a civic one.
