Biography

From California wildfires to New Orleans devastation, I’ve spent the past four years deep in the hyper-reality world of breaking news. Exposeés of Blackwater and salvia divinorum, and hanging with Marines in combat-prep firefights. A witness to Bloods co-founder Tookie Williams’ lethal injection at San Quentin’s death chamber. All in a day’s work.

This being L.A., I’ve hunkered down for the Phil Spector and Michael Jackson trials, talked crime with Dominick Dunne, movies with David Mamet, and covered the Oscars — live, from the Kodak Theater. This and more over the past four years, at KNX 1070 Newsradio in Los Angeles, a delightfully collegial shop staffed by talented journalists. Tune in!

Radio is a juicy medium for a guy who’s pushed the envelope on breakthrough formats on air and online. I was on the startup team at “Entertainment Tonight,” TV’s first day/date strip. I created and exec produced “America’s Most Wanted” which launched the Reality TV genre, and helped kick-start Internet journalism in 1995 with Berserkistan, the first web site to cover a war on location.

Broadcasting has been slow to catch the New Media wave but it cannot avoid the approaching tsunami. Radio’s business model is radically shape-shifting thanks to podcasts and wireless on-demand streaming — enormous new competition stretching far beyond AM and FM horizons.

But acoustic art is as vibrant as ever. Fresh styles and alternative approaches to audio journalism are surging down new distribution channels and giving listeners fresh opportunities to hear the world around us. How will radio evolve? Stay tuned.

The compact resumé

  • 2004-Present, Investigative Reporter, KNX 1070 Newsradio Los Angeles
  • 1999-2004 Executive Producer, Reporter, KTLA, Los Angeles
  • 1995-1999 Independent Producer, Internet and Television
  • 1994 Executive Producer, KCOP News, Los Angeles
  • 1990-1991 Executive Producer, “The Jesse Jackson Show”
  • 1987-1990 Creator and Executive Producer, “America’s Most Wanted”
  • 1980-1987 Independent Producer, Los Angeles
  • Awards 2004-08

  • Mark Twain Award, Investigative Reporting | APTRA
  • Mark Twain Award, Best Special Program | APTRA
  • Golden Mic, Best Radio News Reporting | RTNA
  • Edward R. Murrow Award, Best Documentary | RTNDA
  • Radio Journalist of the Year | Los Angeles Press Club
  • Best Investigative Journalism, Radio | Los Angeles Press Club
  • Best News Feature | Los Angeles Press Club
  • Bill Stout Memorial Award for Enterprise Journalism | APTRA
  • Best Investigative Reporting | APTRA
  • Golden Mic, Best Hard News Reporting | RTNA
  • Golden Mic, Best Hard News Series | RTNA
  • Golden Mic, Best Documentary | RTNA
  • Previously…

  • Emmy, three nominations | Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
  • Webby Nomination | Graphic Design
  • U.S. Attorney General’s Public Service Award

  • Baghdad, 1990

    Posted by Michael  November 1st, 2007