
Howard Kurtz
Journalist and Author with a special focus on the media. He is the host of Fox News Channel's Media Buzz program, and the successor to Fox News Watch
Howard Kurtz currently serves as host of Fox News Channel’s (FNC) “MediaBuzz” (Sundays 11 a.m.-12 p.m. ET). Based in Washington, D.C., he joined the network in July 2013 and debuted on “Special Report with Bret Baier” to discuss the media’s coverage of the George Zimmerman murder trial. Kurtz, a veteran journalist and renowned media reporter,…
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Full Bio
Howard Kurtz currently serves as host of Fox News Channel’s (FNC) “MediaBuzz” (Sundays 11 a.m.-12 p.m. ET). Based in Washington, D.C., he joined the network in July 2013 and debuted on “Special Report with Bret Baier” to discuss the media’s coverage of the George Zimmerman murder trial.
Kurtz, a veteran journalist and renowned media reporter, had been the host of CNN’s weekly media criticism program, “Reliable Sources,” since 1998. He had also served as the Washington, D.C. bureau chief for The Daily Beast and Newsweek writing on the intersection of politics and media. Prior to that role, Kurtz spent 29 years at The Washington Post in various capacities. He became the media reporter for the paper in 1990 and wrote the weekly Media Notes column, one of the most widely read media columns. Kurtz joined The Washington Post in 1981, after being hired by Bob Woodward, and went on to serve as a Justice Department and congressional reporter, New York bureau chief and deputy national editor before covering the media beat as a reporter, columnist and blogger.
Kurtz is the author of five books, including “Media Circus,” “Reality Show” and the New York Times bestseller “Spin Cycle.” A graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, he also contributed to a number of magazines ranging from Vanity Fair to New York.
Kurtz has received multiple awards for his work in media, including the National Press Club Award for Media Criticism in 2006. Kurtz graduated from the University of Buffalo (SUNY) with a B.A. in English and psychology. He then attended the Columbia School of Journalism.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!

FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
Media Buzz: Outlook on Today’s Biggest Stories
Howard Kurtz provides a fast-paced, provocative and funny look at politics, media and culture from his unique vantage point as the nation’s top press critic. Offering an insider’s perspective from his tenure at CNN and Fox News, he can move from an in-depth look at the polarization and absurdity of Washington politics in Barack Obama’s second term, the Republican civil war and the Hillary Clinton obsession to the growing sensationalism, superficiality and mistrust of the mainstream media. Kurtz dissects controversies as they erupt in business, technology, sports and entertainment, examining how news is shaped and agendas pushed by print, television, the Web, Facebook and Twitter. As the author of the best-selling Spin Cycle, he brings the experience of a longtime Washington correspondent, fused with the sound-bite savvy of a cable anchor and the no holds barred approach of a Brooklyn-born blogger in taking you behind the headlines and the hype.
Why No One Trusts the Media
No one in America has done more than Howard Kurtz to expose the bias, sensationalism, superficiality, polarization, conflicts of interest and outright fabrications that have sent journalistic credibility into a tailspin. From disclosing the lies of the New York Times’ Jayson Blair to aggressively reporting on Dan Rather’s Memogate, the 60 Minutes Benghazi blunder, CNN’s Boston bombing mistake and many other debacles, Kurtz is the man who holds the media accountable. He looks at how liberal and conservative media engage in selective outrage and shape their own political narratives. Kurtz speaks with the authority of someone who has worked for major news organizations but has had the rare independence to call them out.
The Social Media Revolution
With nearly 300,000 followers on Twitter and Facebook, Howard Kurtz speaks authoritatively on how social networks have shattered the mainstream media’s monopoly on news—and why this is healthy. He says the old gatekeepers have lost their grip as millions of ordinary people now break news online, offer their own commentary and take the press to task. Kurtz explains how Twitter has had an enormous impact on the media conversation, but also ended a number of careers as pundits tweet garbage that they immediately regret. However, there is a dark side. As Kurtz details, social networks are also awash in misinformation and fiction that too often slip through the media filter—and journalists are regularly the target of racist, misogynist and hateful abuse.
Trump Expectations
Washington has been paralyzed by two political parties beholden to big-money interests, their own extremes and a cable culture that amplifies inflammatory attacks. Kurtz examines how President Obama was swept into office on a wave of unrealistically high expectations, only to be stymied by the reality of Beltway gridlock, relentless partisanship and a fickle media. With an eye to the future, Kurtz looks at what lies ahead for a second Obama term in conjuction with a divided Congress and how today’s news will affect all parties.
The New Age of Blogging and Twittering
While others decry a Wild West environment where anyone can say anything, Kurtz applauds the technology that empowers ordinary citizens and breaks the stranglehold of the establishment media. Journalists dismiss this movement at their peril, while consumers must learn to navigate this universe of insta-news and perpetual punditry by sorting facts from rumor and slander.
The Collapse of the Mainstream Media
The old journalistic establishment is dying from a series of self-inflicted wounds: arrogance, inaccuracy, blandness and the failure to adapt to a digital revolution that is slowly strangling newspapers. A reporter who predicted that newspapers faced irrelevance in the early 1990s, Kurtz offers a cold-eyed analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the YouTube age and whether print publications can survive.
Why Liberals Now Hate the Press
After decades of conservative distrust, the media are now feeling the heat from disgusted liberals who see journalists as part of a corporate elite that abetted the Iraq war, coddled the Bush administration and are undermining the Obama White House. Kurtz explores the vitriolic atmosphere, the shortcomings of the press, and how some partisans on both sides are more interested in demonization than fairness.
My Journey on Facebook and Twitter
In this presentation, Kurtz examines how he became active on Facebook and Twitter and wound up with over 30,000 Twitter followers. He discusses how these social networks, especially Twitter, have become an important source of breaking news; given more influence to ordinary folks to distribute and comment on news; how network anchors and other media hotshots are trying to tap into the culture and share more of themselves; and how it’s also become a land mine that has ended some journalistic careers.
2020 Political Showdown
Howard Kurtz examines and scrutinizes the media coverage of both parties, the civil war between establishment Republicans and the Tea Party, and controversies surrounding such GOP figures as Chris Christie and Mike Huckabee. Kurtz also looks at why the President has flopped in his second term, how he lost the support of media liberals, the administration’s crackdown on press access and its pushback against Fox News.
The New Age of Twittering
While others decry a Wild West environment where anyone can say anything, Howard Kurtz applauds the technology that empowers ordinary citizens and breaks the stranglehold of the establishment media. Journalists dismiss this movement at their peril, while consumers must learn to navigate this universe of insta-news and perpetual punditry by sorting facts from rumor and slander.
Videos
Howard Kurtz on Trump's criticisms of press briefings
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