Making your name in network television — like Michele Tafoya did — was once considered the apex of success in the media. But now, the digital age has revealed new names and faces with huge followings that nobody has heard of.
Former sports reporter Michele Tafoya joined the Chris Stigall Podcast to discuss this phenomenon of evolution and whether the media landscape is better or worse for this new trend.
“I think we are better off for it,” said Tafoya. “I am a free speech absolutist; I believe more is better. There are things I disapprove of personally and so I don’t follow those people. I also think there is some speech that is very harmful like when you encourage somebody to commit suicide and other things like that.”
Last May, Salem Media announced a partnership with Tafoya to publish a podcast called Sideline Sanity. The podcast concentrates on life, politics, and world news. Tafoya hosts four episodes a week.
“On the whole, I think more speech is better,” she said. “I think there are so many viewpoints out there. Fortunately, the mainstream media or legacy media, adheres to a certain mainstream narrative. We’ve discovered that not everybody is on board with that.”
Tafoya spent 11 years as a sideline reporter for NBC’s Sunday Night Football. Tafoya said it was her decision to leave sports and step into politics.
“Just because the networks say it is thus, doesn’t make it so,” she said. “I found it really enjoyable to meet other people and understand that there are perspectives like mine, perspectives that differ from mine, perspectives that affect my own, and I think we are better for that.”
