Why people recommend it
The Journalist and the Murderer by Janet Malcolm is a probing and famous journalistic inquiry that examines the complex, often fraught ethical relationship between reporters and their subjects. On an episode of The Book Review, Jennifer Szalai discussed the title, remarking that she finds the work completely absorbing and noting that it features one of the most famous opening lines about journalism ever written. Szalai praised the sharpness of Malcolm's prose and the enduring relevance of her critical perspective on the media industry. Additionally, on the Lex Fridman Podcast, Coffeezilla brought up Janet Malcolm's book while talking about systemic ethical failures, betrayals, and lack of accountability common in traditional journalism. Coffeezilla used the themes and arguments presented in the work to illustrate how reporters can manipulate personal trust for professional gain, thereby complicating the perceived objectivity of investigative storytelling. Across both podcasts, the speakers highlighted how Malcolm's incisive analysis continues to serve as an essential touchstone for evaluating the moral boundaries of non-fiction writing and the complex dynamics of trust between writers and the individuals they profile.
Who recommended it
- Jennifer Szalai Recommended
Jennifer Szalai — 2 mentions
“the journalist and murderer is perhaps one of the most famous on that begins with a line about journalists”
“at the same time I will say the journalist and the murderer I just find completely absorbing”
Mentioned on the show without a named speaker — 1
“I think it's called the journalist and the murderer it's written by Janet Malcolm”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“I was reading this um profile of Janet Malcolm, you know, the journalist last night. She wrote the journalist and the murderer.”