Noshing With Steven L. Herman – May 16, 2024

Ira's Everything Bagel

Author, Behind the White House Curtain: A Senior Journalist’s Story of Covering the President—and Why It Matters

This week on Ira’s Everything Bagel Podcast, host Ira engages in a profound conversation with Steven L. Herman, author of the fascinating book Behind the White House Curtain: A Senior Journalist’s Story of Covering the President—and Why It Matters. In this insightful episode, Steven shares his firsthand experiences from decades of reporting for the Voice of America (VOA), taking listeners behind the scenes of White House journalism and offering a rare glimpse into the delicate balance between government transparency and press accountability.

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A Journalist’s Journey: Why Steven L. Herman Wrote This Book

In Behind the White House Curtain, Steven L. Herman meticulously details the challenges of covering the U.S. President, from everyday press briefings to monumental national events. His career spans from early days reporting on nuclear testing in Nevada in the 1970s to the heights of covering the White House as chief national correspondent for VOA. The book offers an insider’s perspective on why public access to accurate and unbiased information is critical for democracy.

One key reason Steven wrote this book was to demystify the inner workings of the White House press corps, sharing how journalists navigate the daily pressures of reporting on the most powerful office in the world. He delves into the behind-the-scenes mechanics of news coverage, vetting by the Secret Service, and the rigorous standards that journalists follow to ensure the public gets factual, timely news.

Understanding the Role of Voice of America (VOA)

The Voice of America (VOA) is unlike any other media outlet. Steven explains that VOA is the only news organization mandated to be objective, making it a crucial source of unbiased information, especially in times of political turbulence. He elaborates on VOA’s role in the press pool, which is responsible for disseminating accurate information directly from the White House to other media outlets. Being part of this pool gives VOA unique access to top-level news and policy changes.

Steven also discusses his deep respect for VOA’s journalistic ethics, highlighting the organization’s commitment to accuracy over speed—a guiding principle that contrasts with the hyper-speed of modern news cycles. This approach ensures that every piece of information is fact-checked and verified before it reaches the public, reinforcing the importance of trustworthy journalism in preserving democracy.

The White House Press Pool: What It Really Does

Have you ever wondered how White House journalists are vetted or why there are exactly 49 seats in the press briefing room? Steven takes us into the world of White House journalism, where the White House Correspondents Association determines the seating chart in the press briefing room, and where journalists are frequently vetted by the Secret Service before they can even step foot in the building. These press members play a pivotal role in conveying the administration’s messages to the public while also holding it accountable.

Herman sheds light on how journalists work tirelessly to ask the hard questions and get truthful answers—even in situations where government officials are reluctant to provide transparency. Through anecdotes and personal stories, Steven shows how the press is both the eyes and ears of the public, offering clarity on why freedom of the press is essential for a functioning democracy.

Radio: Steven Herman’s First Love

Despite his impressive career in television and digital journalism, Steven L. Herman reveals that radio remains his first love. He fondly reminisces about the early days of his career when he worked in radio, emphasizing the unique challenges and rewards of audio journalism. For Steven, the intimate nature of radio reporting allows journalists to connect more deeply with their audience, providing critical news coverage in real time, especially during crises such as natural disasters or political upheaval.

Challenges and Surprises in White House Reporting

Throughout his career, Steven has faced numerous challenges, including covering the Trump administration, which often clashed with the press over the concept of “confirmation bias”. In his book, he explains how this bias plays a significant role in the public’s perception of news, especially in today’s politically polarized environment. His experiences during this era led him to the conclusion that unbiased, fact-based reporting is more critical than ever before.

Among the most surprising things Steven discovered while writing Behind the White House Curtain was the sheer unpredictability of White House reporting. Journalists could go from covering mundane policy briefings to finding themselves at the center of historical moments. As Steven explains in the podcast, it’s this balance between the routine and the extraordinary that makes White House reporting both boring and thrilling at the same time.

Confirmation Bias and the Need for Unbiased Reporting

Steven touches on the importance of combating confirmation bias—the tendency of people to favor information that confirms their pre-existing beliefs. He emphasizes that the press must work hard to break through these biases by focusing on factual reporting and avoiding the temptation to cater to specific political audiences. According to Steven, unbiased journalism is essential for a healthy democracy, as it ensures the public has access to truthful information about their government and leaders.

Steven’s Biggest Challenge: Accurate, Fast, and Reliable Reporting

One of the most significant challenges for any journalist is the balance between accuracy and speed. Steven discusses how the demand for instant news can sometimes lead to misinformation, which is why he always prioritizes accuracy over speed in his reporting. This is especially important in White House reporting, where one misquote or misunderstood policy change can have global ramifications.

Why You Should Read “Behind the White House Curtain”

For anyone interested in journalism, politics, or history, Behind the White House Curtain: A Senior Journalist’s Story of Covering the President—and Why It Matters is a must-read. It offers a rare glimpse into the life of a White House correspondent, while also providing critical insights into the relationship between the press and the President of the United States. It’s a fascinating journey through decades of news reporting, illustrating how journalists can uphold their responsibility to report the truth while navigating the ever-evolving world of media and politics.

Steven L. Herman Podcast Episode Conclusion

In this captivating episode of Ira’s Everything Bagel Podcast, Steven L. Herman pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to be at the forefront of White House journalism. His book, Behind the White House Curtain: A Senior Journalist’s Story of Covering the President—and Why It Matters, underscores the vital role that unbiased reporting plays in safeguarding democracy. Through candid reflections and fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, Steven emphasizes that accurate, timely journalism is essential, not just to inform the public, but to hold power accountable. Whether you’re interested in politics, journalism, or history, this episode offers invaluable insights into the ever-evolving relationship between the press and the President of the United States.

🔗 Useful Links:

Steven L. Herman Official Website

FAQs About Steven L. Herman

Who is Steven L. Herman?

Steven L. Herman is a seasoned journalist and author who has worked extensively as a correspondent covering U.S. politics, international affairs, and global news. Most notably, he served as the White House Bureau Chief for Voice of America (VOA), where he reported on significant events from within the White House and accompanied U.S. presidents on official trips abroad. His deep experience in journalism spans several decades, focusing on political coverage and international reporting.

What are other books by Steven L. Herman?

In addition to Behind the White House Curtain: A Memoir of Journalism, Politics, and Power, Steven L. Herman has authored or contributed to several other notable works:

– Bhutan in Color 2007 – A photography book that captures the beauty and culture of Bhutan, featuring stunning visuals from the country.

– Last Assignment: A Novel – A fictional work that showcases Herman’s storytelling abilities beyond journalism.

– Sunset 2020 – This work reflects on the events of the year 2020, possibly touching on significant global changes or personal reflections.

What is the Voice of America organization?

Voice of America (VOA) is an international multimedia broadcaster funded by the U.S. government. It was established in 1942 during World War II, providing news, information, and cultural programming to audiences worldwide. VOA operates with a mission to promote freedom of the press and deliver unbiased news and information to regions where free media is often restricted or controlled. VOA broadcasts in more than 40 languages and is part of the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

What is the Behind the White House Curtain book about?

Behind the White House Curtain is a memoir by Steven L. Herman, recounting his experiences as a journalist working within the White House and covering U.S. politics. The book offers behind-the-scenes insights into the day-to-day life of a White House correspondent, shedding light on the interactions between the press, the presidency, and the political machinery that governs the country. Herman provides a unique perspective on key historical moments he witnessed firsthand and reflects on the challenges and rewards of political journalism.

Why is the Behind the White House Curtain book important?

The book is important because it provides an insider’s view of political journalism from someone who had direct access to top political figures and key global events. Steven L. Herman’s memoir offers a unique perspective on the relationship between the media and the presidency, documenting both the challenges journalists face in covering such a powerful institution and the importance of transparent reporting in a democracy. His experiences highlight the role of journalists in shaping public perception and holding governments accountable, making it a significant contribution to understanding modern political journalism.

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Steven L. Herman Podcast Epsiode Full Transcript

Ira Sternberg: Welcome to Ira’s Everything Bagel, where I talk with intriguing people about everything — their passions, pursuits, and points of view. Imagine covering the White House as a reporter for a media outlet. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Unless you’re claustrophobic — think very small cubicles. On the plus side, you’re witnessing history, and my guest has reported on a lot of history. Steven L. Herman is author of Behind the White House Curtain: A Senior Journalist’s Story of Covering the President and Why It Matters, published by Kent State University Press. The book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and all the usual places. Steven L. Herman’s long career in journalism includes covering the White House for Voice of America during the Trump administration and the first eight months of the Biden administration. For everything about Steve, go to steveherman.press. And Steve, welcome back to the show.

Steven L. Herman: It is a pleasure to be back, Ira, after a few years.

Ira: It is! For those who may not know about Voice of America — and I find it hard to believe that there are people, but there are, just the nature of everything these days — can you explain what Voice of America is first, and then we’ll get into the book?

Steve: Sure. It’s no surprise that many Americans would not know the Voice of America, because it is an external broadcasting service. We broadcast radio, television, on the web, social media — from the United States to other countries. We have 48 language services, including English and learning English, and we specifically focus on countries that don’t have a free press or are not well-developed with a free press. And it is 100% part of the U.S. government, but there is a firewall between the reporters at my level and the bosses in any particular administration.

Ira: It just seems unusual — and I want to get into the book — that you are technically working for the government, but at the same time, you’re covering part of the government, in this case, the White House. So that seems — it’s almost like an official body covering an official body.

Steve: Well, we are under an independent agency, and as I said, the people in any particular administration, the State Department, or wherever, cannot pressure us to do stories favorable to the president or against a political candidate. We take that very seriously.

Ira: Now, you started this book when? About two years ago?

Steve: Well, I wrote elements of it over a number of years. Some of the chapters, for example, dealing with the Fukushima disaster in Japan and the whole UFO thing in Roswell, New Mexico — I had drafts of those chapters some years ago and wasn’t sure what I was going to do with them. And I vowed, Ira, near the end of the Trump administration, when we had dozens of correspondents sitting in the press briefing room working on their books about the Trump administration, that I was not going to write a book. But a lot of people just said to me, “Oh, you should write a book.” And what I realized was, there wasn’t really a book that explains the mechanics of what it’s like to cover a White House, and the historical relationship between the press and the presidents — which goes all the way back to George Washington’s second term, when he was mad at the press and the press was calling him a traitor and feeble, and all that sort of stuff. A lot of the things that we’re experiencing now are nothing new, and I wanted to demonstrate that in the book.

Ira: I want to quote from your book: “Working inside the White House as a reporter and frequently traveling with the president, I sought to provide accurate, objective, and comprehensive reporting on the presidency.” It’s a tall order because the media or the press these days is viewed as subjective rather than objective. I know that in your case, you want to be objective — and I’ve known you for a long time, and you are objective. But there are elements of the press that some view as too left and others perhaps as too right. And it’s that herd mentality that seems to creep into a short space in the briefing room where everybody seems to just report the same take on a president’s statements or the press secretary’s statements.

Steve: Yes, I like to say that VOA may be the only news organization in the world that is mandated by law to be objective. That’s in our charter. This is something Congress has literally passed into law. Also, our audience is not a domestic U.S. audience — we are compelled to explain what’s going on in the United States, and that means interviewing people from both sides of the issue. Even though there may be a Republican or Democrat in the White House at any particular time, we cannot just take a partisan line in our reporting, although that upsets some administrations.

Ira: What do your colleagues think of you, in the sense that you’re coming from an objective standpoint, or at least striving to be? Your colleagues may come from other viewpoints. Do they look at you as a bit of an anomaly, or that you represent what journalism should be?

Steve: I think in recent decades, they are clearly able to see what we’re reporting and how we’re reporting it, because now everything’s up on the web, right? You can go look at the reports. Whereas in decades past, your reports were going out on shortwave radio, primarily, and being translated into different languages, so they didn’t really have an idea of what you were reporting. But VOA is part of the White House press pool, and I go into great detail about that in the book. They’re able to see how we’re reporting, how we’re acting, and we’re doing a job on behalf of all the rest of the media when you’re part of the pool.

Ira: And for those who may not know what a “pool” is, could you explain that?

Steve: Yeah, it has nothing to do with water or swimming, Ira. Though where we operate from — our desk used to be where John Kennedy’s swimming pool was. The pool refers to a collective of reporters. For example, not every reporter can be in the Oval Office or travel on Air Force One, so there is a designated pool of reporters who represent all the media outlets. When I go in with a microphone and recorder, I’m recording for everyone — CBS Radio, AP Radio, BBC, etc. So we take turns, and for the radio pool, I might be on duty once every 10 days or so.

Ira: Can the White House or press office say who represents the pool on a given day?

Steve: No, the White House doesn’t control who represents the pool. The White House Correspondents’ Association is the one that decides who sits where in the press briefing room and who’s part of the pool.

Ira: Does the White House Correspondents’ Association advocate for its members if they feel they’ve been slighted?

Steve: Yes, they do, generally behind the scenes. Sometimes, though, they have to publicly issue statements if there’s a major access issue or something like that.

Ira: You talk in your book about “herd mentality” among journalists. Is there still that feeling of being kept in the dark, or “fed manure,” as you put it?

Steve: Oh, absolutely. Every administration tries to control the message, and sometimes, as reporters, we are left frustrated with limited access or non-answers from the press secretary.

Ira: What was the most challenging aspect of your time covering the Trump administration?

Steve: The unpredictability. We’d often prepare for a certain event or topic — like “infrastructure week” — and then the president would say something off-topic, and everything would change. It kept us on our toes.

Ira: You also mention in the book that you prioritize accuracy over speed in reporting. That’s important.

Steve: Yes, absolutely. At VOA, we prioritize accuracy. We’re very careful to ensure what we’re reporting is factual, even if it means we’re not the first to report it.

Ira: Before I let you go, what was the most surprising thing you learned while writing this book?

Steve: That I could actually write a book! (Laughs) But seriously, learning that the tension between the press and the presidency goes all the way back to George Washington. It’s nothing new.

Ira: That’s a great way to leave it. My guest has been Steven L. Herman, author of Behind the White House Curtain: A Senior Journalist’s Story of Covering the President and Why It Matters, published by Kent State University Press. It’s available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and all the usual places. For more about Steven, go to steveherman.press. Steve, thanks for being on the show.

Steve: It’s been my pleasure, Ira.

Ira: And join us every Thursday for a new schmear on Ira’s Everything Bagel.