Best Mideast Update Podcasts (2026)

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Crowd-Checking Online Misinformation Might Actually Work, Research Shows 10:54

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1d ago10:54

10:54

The decision by X, formerly known as Twitter, to implement Community Notes, a peer-based system for flagging misinformation, met with initial skepticism and even suspicion. On this edition of Update-1, NPC Broadcast Podcast Team Co-Chair Adam Konowe speaks with Huaxia Rui, the Xerox professor of Information Systems and Technology at the University …

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Press Club Member Discusses New Crisis Management Book, Issuing A Wake-Up Call For Business Leaders 15:32

2M ago15:32

15:32

Surveys show most business leaders say their companies are not prepared to handle a major crisis when one arises. In this episode of Update-1, NPC member Edward Segal discusses his new book, "The Crisis Casebook: Lessons in Crisis Management from the World’s Leading Brands," which offers a roadmap for organizations, leaders, and public figures who …

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Bestselling Novelist Discusses Plot Development, Literacy 13:05

2M ago13:05

13:05

How does a globally recognized novelist weave thrillers out of reality? In the latest Update-1 episode, New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci joins NPC Broadcast Podcast Committee co-chair Mike Hempen to discuss using real-life situations in fiction. Baldacci is a prolific writer with 11 series of books. He has sold 150 million copies in…

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Defense Editor Explains Opposition to Controversial Pentagon Reaccreditation Process 20:48

3M ago20:48

20:48

October 14 marked a deadline set by the Pentagon for accredited members of the media to sign a controversial pledge to retain access rights to the building. Dozens of outlets, including right-leaning Fox News and the Washington Times, refused with only a couple agreeing to unprecedented and arguably unconstitutional restrictions. In this edition of…

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Former Post Reporter Talks About Impact of January 6 Riots 21:44

3M ago21:44

21:44

Former Washington Post reporter Kate Woodsome was at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, and saw firsthand the riots that occurred that day. Her life was forever changed, and now she helps others deal with stress and trauma. In this edition of Update-1, Woodsome talks with NPC Board of Governors member Debra Silimeo about the stress of newsroom li…

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California Wildfire Photos Featured in NPC Annual Photo Exhibit 20:05

4M ago20:05

20:05

Documentary photographer Ben Sarao is no stranger to drought, having experienced the weather condition up and down the western United States. That drove him to self-publish a book titled "Drought" and then to photograph the devastation caused by California's Palisades Fire in January 2025. In this edition of Update-1, Sarao speaks with Broadcast/Po…

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Former BLS Commissioner Discusses Trust In The Financial System 35:34

5M ago35:34

35:34

The financial system depends on robust and credible economic data. But some observers say the credibility of that data took a blow when President Trump fired Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer. Without evidence, Trump said July job numbers from the BLS were rigged against him. On the latest Update-1, Broadcast/Podcast Committe…

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Mideast Observer Doesn't See Israel-Hamas Conflict Ending Anytime Soon 16:08

5M ago16:08

16:08

Israel says it plans to take over Gaza City, escalating its 22-month war with Hamas and drawing a dismissal from the militant group. Israel's intentions have renewed international calls to end the conflict and have stirred fears for the hostages still in Gaza. Karim Elsammak has been involved in Mideast affairs, working for the Trump campaign in th…

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Press Club Member Tom Young Discusses New Novel in Latest Update-1 Podcast 19:43

6M ago19:43

19:43

National Press Club member Tom Young has made a successful transition from journalism to fiction writing, leveraging his journalistic skills to craft compelling narratives. In the latest Update-1 episode, Young talks with Broadcast Podcast co-chair Adam Konowe about a new book he has coming out, "The Mapmaker," a World War II novel set within the F…

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Aviation Reporter Discusses the Human Toll of Midair Collision at Reagan National 19:42

6M ago19:42

19:42

It will still be several months before the National Transportation Safety Board issues its final report as to the cause of January’s deadly midair collision between a passenger jet and a Black Hawk helicopter at Reagan National Airport. Sixty-seven people died in what was the deadliest U.S. plane crash in more than two decades. In this episode of U…

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Aerospace Media Awards Recognize Journalistic Excellence in 22 Categories 10:07

7M ago10:07

10:07

Held on June 15 at the Aero-Club de France, this year's Aerospace Media Awards highlighted excellence in journalism across the industry. The event attracted approximately 200 attendees to celebrate the winners of 22 categories from best new journalist to three lifetime achievement winners. In this edition of Update-1, NPC Broadcast/Podcast Team Co-…

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Fighting Back Against Government Secrecy 19:22

8M ago19:22

19:22

Independent journalist and National Press Club member Miranda Spivack details the underreported rise in secret dealmaking between local governments and corporations and how these agreements are a threat to our health, safety and democracy in her new book that was just released. Spivack discusses "Backroom Deals in Our Backyards: How Government Secr…

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Shining Light on the Writings of John McPhee 11:22

8M ago11:22

11:22

He's 94 years old and has been a writer for more than 70 years, winning many awards during that time, including a Pulitzer Prize. But many people are not familiar with John McPhee. This edition of Update-1 features NPC member Noel Rubinton, who has written a new book, "Looking for a Story: A Complete Guide to the Writings of John McPhee." Rubinton …

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Navy Veteran Discusses Effort To Get More Vets Into America's Newsrooms 21:52

9M ago21:52

21:52

Navy veteran and journalist Zach Baddorf is the co-founder of Military Veterans in Journalism. With a focus of building community, supporting career growth and advocating for Vets, one of MVJ's main goals is to place more veterans in America's Newsrooms. In this episode of Update-1, National Press Club Broadcast/Podcast Team member Lincoln Smith ta…

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Space Industry Content Editor Talks Event Coverage, Journalism and PR Trends 10:28

9M ago10:28

10:28

The Space Symposium in Colorado Springs is the one of the industry's largest annual events, attracting a global mix of corporate executives, civilian and military officials, non-profit organizations, plus an increasing number of mainstream and trade media outlets. In this episode of Update-1, NPC Broadcast/Podcast Co-chair Adam Konowe speaks with M…

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VOA's Chief National Correspondent Leads Effort To Revive Network 22:09

9M ago22:09

22:09

A legal battle seeks to put Voice of America back on the air after its silencing by the Trump administration. VOA Chief National Correspondent Steve Herman serves on the National Press Club's board of governors, and he's taking part in the court action. In the latest edition of Update-1, Steve speaks with Broadcast Podcast Committee member Tom Youn…

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Searching for Accountability in Lebanon Attack That Killed One Journalist and Wounded Others 14:47

10M ago14:47

14:47

Gaza could soon reopen to international news organizations, but what is the policy of the Israel Defense Forces toward working journalists? That's one of the questions surrounding the investigation into the tank shelling in October, 2023 that killed one journalist and wounded six others. This edition of Update-1 highlights the March 12 Press Freedo…

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NPC Freelancer Team Co-Chair Talks Career Path And Prospects 17:29

10M ago17:29

17:29

Andrea Murad came to journalism through the unconventional route of finance in New York. Now, as a successful, D.C.-based freelance reporter and co-chair of the NPC's Freelance Team, she helps other members in an increasingly competitive market. In this episode of Update-1, Murad speaks with Broadcast/Podcast Team Co-Chair Adam Konowe about the les…

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Arrests of Journalists in U.S. Surged in 2024 19:54

12M ago19:54

19:54

The number of journalists arrested in the U.S. last year surged, exceeding the previous two years combined. That's according to The Freedom of the Press Foundation, which keeps a running total of such incidents with its U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, a database of press freedom incidents in the U.S. In this edition of Update-1, Broadcast Podcast team …

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McCarren, Rezaian Discuss Club's New Press Freedom Center 24:56

1y ago24:56

24:56

The National Press Club's new Press Freedom Center officially launched in late November, with the first event involving 17 members of the family of Austin Tice, the American journalist who was kidnapped while reporting in Syria on August 13, 2012. In this edition of Update-1, NPC Broadcast Podcast Team co-chair Mike Hempen talks with Bill McCarren,…

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NPC Member's Book Provides Insider’s Look At Coverage Of Nuremberg Trials 20:04

1y ago20:04

20:04

The journalists who were in the courtroom covering the Nuremberg Trials, sharing details about Nazi war crimes, are the focus of a new book by NPC member Noel Marie Fletcher. In this edition of Update-1, Fletcher discusses "Reporting the Nuremberg Trials: How Journalists Covered Live Nazi Trials and Executions," with Broadcast Podcast team member T…

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Coalition Leader Envisions Museum of The American People 18:10

1y ago18:10

18:10

One day as he walked on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Sam Eskenazi had a flash of inspiration, one that motivated his journey to create a new museum in the capital dedicated to the people who have made America over thousands of years. In this episode of Update-1, Sam, the director of the Coalition for the National Museum of the American Pe…

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Conflict Journalist Discusses the Impact of the Russia Ukraine War on Religious Freedom 18:50

1y ago18:50

18:50

As the war between Russia and Ukraine escalates in hostilities, with the U.S. granting Kyiv permission to deploy American longer-range missiles and Moscow striking Ukraine with a new experimental ballistic weapon, often overlooked is the impact the conflict has had on Ukraine's Orthodox Church. In this edition of Update-1, Broadcast Podcast co-chai…

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NPC Author Applies Japanese Journalism Experience To Write Historical Novel Set There 13:37

1y ago13:37

13:37

Natalie Jacobsen's journalism career began at age 13 writing Harry Potter book reviews for local newspapers. A fascination with Japan in college led to an opportunity to work in the country as a photographer and then journalist. In this edition of Update-1, Jacobsen speaks with NPC Broadcast/Podcast Co-chair Adam Konowe about her career path in jou…

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An NPC Member's Book Details Virginia's Cold War History 24:56

1y ago24:56

24:56

What were the origins of the Cold War? What was the Cold War? In this edition of Update-1, Broadcast Podcast Team member Lincoln Smith talks with Cold War historians Gary Powers Jr. and Christopher Sturdevant about the recently released book,"Cold War Virginia," which outlines the storied history of the Cold War decades in Virginia. They discuss in…

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NPC Member Uses Photos To Illustrate Life in North Carolina 15:28

1+ y ago15:28

15:28

More than 200 photos were on display at the National Press Club as part of this year's members photo exhibit. Four of them belonged to Susan Dickenson, who lives in North Carolina. In this edition of Update-1, Dickenson talks to Broadcast Podcast team co-chair Mike Hempen about the ways in which her photos depict life in Jamestown, where she lives.…

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NPC Author Discusses Biography Based on WWII Family Diaries and Letters 14:38

1+ y ago14:38

14:38

NPC member Jody Beck has always had a strong interest in her family history, but it was the discovery of World War II-era diary entries and family letters about Madsen Cobb Kokjer, nicknamed Ty, that led her to write “Your Loving Son, Ty: A World War II Story of Hope and Horror in the Pacific.” In this episode of Update-1, Beck speaks with Broadcas…

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Helping Homeless Veterans in the Nation's Capital 20:40

1+ y ago20:40

20:40

The focus is on veterans in the latest episode of the Update-1 podcast. Gemma Puglisi talks with Veterans on the Rise Executive Director, David Kurtz, who shares the work the 30-year-old nonprofit has done to help homeless veterans in our nation's capital. From the launch of the organization back in 1989 by four veterans who took a stand against ve…

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Aviation Editor Reflects on Trends, Career Path and Journalism Business 28:58

1+ y ago28:58

28:58

From humble beginnings as a blogger in trade media to noteworthy stints at the Wall Street Journal and CNN, Jon Ostrower has covered the aviation industry with an unrivaled passion. Now as founder and editor-in-chief of The Air Current, he's built an award-winning, subscription-based media outlet that continues to grow. Yet fundamental challenges p…

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Staying Cyber Safe in 2024 19:07

1+ y ago19:07

19:07

How secure is your data? In this episode of Update-1, Press Club member and cybersecurity industry analyst Richard Stiennon speaks with NPC Broadcast Podcast team member Shannon Fisher about the dynamic nature of the IT industry and his annual security yearbook. Stiennon's book, "Security Yearbook 2024: A History and Directory of the IT Security In…

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Meteorologist Talks About Being Harassed for His Work on Climate Change 22:13

1+ y ago22:13

22:13

Weather forecasters and climatologists have received pushback for their work on climate change. But for meteorologist Chris Gloninger, the harassment became extreme. He discusses his experience with NPC Broadcast Podcast Committee member Tom Young in the latest edition of Update-1. Gloninger says newsrooms fail to do their jobs if they let extremis…

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NPR Producer Discusses His Career, Offers Advice To Aspiring Journalists 24:27

1+ y ago24:27

24:27

How do reporters remain professionally composed while covering stories of great emotion? That's one of the topics Broadcast Podcast Committee member Lincoln Smith discusses with NPR's Casey Morell on this edition of Update-1. Morell, a producer of NPR's Politics Podcast, highlights his career, including his previous work for Nevada Public Radio, an…

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Senior Journalist Discusses His New Book About Covering the President 22:23

1+ y ago22:23

22:23

You hear and see them all the time -- White House correspondents covering the president of the United States. But what is it really like to report on the president on a daily basis? On this edition of Update-1, senior journalist Steve Herman talks with Broadcast Podcast team co-chair Mike Hempen about his new book, "Behind the White House Curtain,"…

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NGPA Executive Director Advocates for Equality on the Flight Deck 19:48

1+ y ago19:48

19:48

Aviation has struggled for years to recruit and retain pilots, mechanics and others, despite the allure of participating in a vital industry moving millions of passengers and tons of cargo safely every day. In this edition of Update-1, NPC Broadcast/Podcast co-chair Adam Konowe speaks with Justin Ellixson-Andrews, executive director of the National…

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Exiled Foreign Journalist Tells Story and Hopes To Return Home 15:46

1+ y ago15:46

15:46

Juan Lorenzo Holmann lives in suburban Washington, D.C., but hopes to one day return to his native Nicaragua. He's the general manager of La Prensa, a newspaper started by his grandfather and the oldest in Nicaragua. On this edition of Update-1, Holmann talks to Broadcast Podcast co-chair Mike Hempen about being charged with money laundering and sp…

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NPC Member Discusses His Experience with Clogged Arteries in New Book 15:55

1+ y ago15:55

15:55

National Press Club member Will Driscoll discusses the risks of clogged arteries and the medical procedures that are available to check your arteries in his newly released book, "Your Arteries: An Owners Manual." In this edition of Update-1, Driscoll talks with NPC Broadcast Podcast member Bill Loveless about his own experience with clogged arterie…

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Defending Press Freedom in South Asia 20:28

1+ y ago20:28

20:28

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is an international non-profit and non-governmental organization focused on safeguarding the right to freedom of information. Headquartered in Paris France, RSF "defends the right of every human being to have access to free and reliable information," As of April 2024, RSF reports 503 journalists and media workers aro…

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Space Reporter Offers Glimpse Into His Beat and Event Journalism 15:49

1+ y ago15:49

15:49

Trade shows and other industry-specific events have experienced a post-pandemic renaissance and the Space Symposium held in Colorado Springs is no exception. The annual event attracts a dynamic mix of established and emerging companies, non-profit organizations, civilian government agencies, plus U.S. and allied military staff. In this episode of U…

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Gary Powers, Jr. Discusses 1960 U-2 Incident Involving His Father 28:47

2y ago28:47

28:47

On May 1, 1960, American pilot Francis Gary Powers was shot down in his U-2 Spy plane over Sverdlovsk in the former Soviet Union. After being captured, sentenced and imprisoned, Powers was later exchanged for Soviet Spy Colonel Rudolph Abel. In this edition of Update-1, Broadcast Podcast Team member Lincoln Smith talks with Gary Powers Jr. about hi…

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NPC Member Edward Segal Discusses Political Campaigning from a Bygone Era 21:58

2y ago21:58

21:58

Campaign trains were a major part of political campaigns years ago. Covering whistle-stopping candidates was considered one of the hardest jobs of journalism. In this edition of Update-1, NPC member Edward Segal talks to Broadcast Podcast team member Irv Chapman about his new book, "Whistle-Stop Politics: Campaign Trains and the Reporters Who Cover…

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Former NPC President Judson Discusses Press Freedom, Gaza War 24:07

2y ago24:07

24:07

Award winning journalist Jen Judson, the 115th president of the National Press Club, is the land warfare reporter for Defense News. Before that she was a reporter at Politico and Inside Defense. In this edition of Update-1, Jen talks with Broadcast Podcast Committee member Lincoln Smith about her career and advocacy for press freedom around the wor…

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Emily Wilkins Details Priorities as 117th NPC President 20:33

2y ago20:33

20:33

CNBC Washington correspondent Emily Wilkins looks forward to progress on numerous fronts during her upcoming year as president of the National Press Club. In this edition of Update-1, Wilkins speaks with Broadcast/Podcast Team co-chair Adam Konowe about planned enhancements to the Club’s services and physical infrastructure, as well as its relentle…

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Israel Hamas War Beyond Compare for Media Deaths 13:09

2y ago13:09

13:09

Dozens of journalists have been killed covering the Israel Hamas war, resulting in what the International Federation of Journalists says is the deadliest conflict ever for media deaths. The Committee to Protect Journalists says so far 85 journalists and media workers have died while covering the war. Why has this war been so deadly for members of t…

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Didier Saugy Discusses Member-Centric Approach as New NPC Executive Director 12:22

2y ago12:22

12:22

Swiss-born Didier Saugy took the reins as National Press Club executive director in June 2023, following a five-year stint as general manager of the Foreign Correspondents Club of Hong Kong. Since then, the accomplished private club manager, food and beverage director, and executive chef has been considering how to best serve club members and encou…

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A Military Veteran Who's Also an Author Talks About His Time in Ukraine 27:16

2y ago27:16

27:16

Iraq war veteran and author Matt Gallagher has traveled to Ukraine as both a military trainer and as a journalist. That background provides a unique perspective to his reporting. In this edition of Update-1, Gallagher talks with Tom Young of the NPC's Broadcast Podcast Committee about the war in Ukraine and some of the volunteer soldiers he met the…

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Are Some Journalists the Targets of Raids Because They're Doing Their Jobs Too Well? 17:08

2y ago17:08

17:08

Is it possible that journalists can be the targets of police raids because they do their jobs too well? That's one of the questions some freedom of the press advocates are asking after an FBI raid in May on the newsroom home of journalist Tim Burke. The FBI raided Burke’s home after he obtained outtakes of Tucker Carlson’s interview with Ye (former…

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A Presidential Candidate Talks About the Media's Coverage of the 2024 Race 23:29

2+ y ago23:29

23:29

The paramount role of the press in presidential elections is to inform the public about the issues and their voting options, and to act as a watchdog over government officials and candidates for public office. When one candidate for a major political party’s nomination is an incumbent president, do the other candidates in the race fade into the bac…

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War Correspondent Talks Craft and Challenges in New Book 34:25

2+ y ago34:25

34:25

Sean Carberry has covered conflict in more than 20 countries, including Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Pakistan, the DRC and Colombia. But it’s his time in NPR’s Kabul, Afghanistan bureau that takes center stage in the new book, Passport Stamps: Searching the World for a War to Call Home. In this episode of Update-1, NPC Broadcast/Podcast Team Co-Chair Adam …

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Remembering James Foley Nine Years After His Death 25:12

2+ y ago25:12

25:12

In August of 2014, James Foley, a young videographer and journalist with GlobalPost, was killed by ISIS. Foley was covering the conflict in Syria and held hostage for two years before he was beheaded by the terrorist group who brutally showed his murder on video. Shortly after their son’s death, as a tribute to him, Diane and John Foley started the…

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Analyzing the Russia-Ukraine War's Impact on Non-Western Countries 11:33

2+ y ago11:33

11:33

The war in Ukraine has been a major global event for the past 18 months, with far-reaching implications for the future of Europe and the world. But how do non-Western countries see the conflict? In this edition of Update-1, Broadcast Podcast Committee co-chair Mike Hempen talks to National Press Club member Flavius Mihaies, an investigative journal…