''Code Switch'' is a

podcast A podcast is a Radio program, program made available in digital format for download over the Internet. Typically, a podcast is an Episode, episodic series of digital audio Computer file, files that users can download to a personal device or str ...

from National Public Radio ( NPR), and an online outlet covering race and culture. Code Switch began in 2013 as a

blog A blog (a Clipping (morphology), truncation of "weblog") is an informational website consisting of discrete, often informal diary-style text entries also known as posts. Posts are typically displayed in Reverse chronology, reverse chronologic ...

, and a series of stories contributed to NPR radio programs. The ''Code Switch'' podcast launched in 2016, hosted by Gene Demby and Shereen Marisol Meraji. In 2022, BA Parker joined the podcast as a co-host. In 2020, in the wake of the

George Floyd protests The George Floyd protests were a series of protests, riots, and demonstrations against police brutality that began in Minneapolis in the United States on May 26, 2020. The protests and civil unrest began in Minneapolis as Reactions to the mu ...

, it became one of NPR's top ranked podcasts. In 2020, it was named Apple's Podcast of the Year.

History

''Code Switch'' was launched in 2013 with a $1.5 million grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; it developed as a blog and contributed stories to a variety of NPR programs.

Harvard Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, the Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it is the oldest institution of higher lear ...

's Neiman Lab describes the project as "designed to increase coverage of race issues and reach out to new audiences" at NPR and affiliated media outlets. The blog began publishing on April 7, 2013, with Gene Demby's introductory essay "How Code-Switching Explains The World". The outlet's name refers to the linguistic phenomenon of

code-switching In linguistics, code-switching or language alternation occurs when a speaker alternates between two or more languages, or language varieties, in the context of a single conversation or situation. These alternations are generally intended to ...

, when speaker moves between multiple languages or dialectics. Demby's introductory essay said the project construed the concept broadly, with the linguistic concept also serving as means of analyzing aspects of race and culture in identity: "Many of us subtly, reflexively change the way we express ourselves all the time. We're hop-scotching between different cultural and linguistic spaces and different parts of our own identities—sometimes within a single interaction."

Content

's Neiman Lab described the ''Code Switch'' project as a "forward-thinking effort given the rapidly changing demographics in the U.S. Code Switch has grown into a place where reporters tries to consider issues around race with nuance, whether that's the myth of the colorblind millennial, or going deep on the hit Broadway musical ''Hamilton''." The outlet has also drawn notice for reporting and commentary on topics ranging from sports and

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, to the

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. Code Switch founder and reporter Kat Chow has also described the project as especially interested in the "second beat" of a story: "If there is breaking news, we want to take a step back and see what this actually means. What is there to report on that hasn't already been said?"

Staff

Team members have included Gene Demby, who is lead blogger and cohosts the podcast with reporter Shereen Marisol Meraji; Tasneem Raja, senior digital editor; supervising senior producer Alicia Montgomery; Matt Thompson and Kat Chow.

Podcast

In May 2016, the ''Code Switch'' team launched a podcast by the same name. Episodes are released weekly on Wednesdays. The Guardian characterized the podcast as "courageous conversations." ''Wired'' said ''Code Switchs July 14, 2016, episode "Black and Blue" offered "thoughtful conversation about race and policing." '' Los Angeles Magazine'' said, "NPR's 'Code Switch' began as a popular blog, but its evolution into a podcast seems natural...it explores issues of race, culture, and politics in a personal way that flourishes in an audio format."

Awards and reception

In December 2020, ''Apple Podcasts'' announced that ''Code Switch'' had been selected as 'Show of the Year', marking the first time that Apple Podcasts recognized a single podcast of the year. In 2021, Code Switch won an Ambie Award for Best Society and Culture Podcast. In 2024, Code Switch won the Ambie Award for Best Scriptwriting, Non-fiction. In 2015, the

National Association of Hispanic Journalists The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is a Washington, D.C.–based organization dedicated to the advancement of Hispanic and Latino journalists in the United States and Puerto Rico. It was established in 1984. NAHJ has appr ...

awarded Shereen Marisol Meraji the "Radio, Feature News – Large Market" award for her ''Code Switch'' segment "Tandas". ''Code Switch'' won the

Online News Association The Online News Association (ONA), founded in 1999, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of digital journalists headquartered in Washington, D.C., Washington D.C., United States. The founding members first convened in December 1999 in Chicago. ...

for best online commentary at a large outlet in 2014. Despite generally positive reaction to the blog, some users in early years complained about practices and policies on moderating comments. In 2016 ''Los Angeles Magazine'' recommended the ''Code Switch'' podcast as one of "5 Podcasts You Must Listen to This Summer".

References

External links

* {{Podcast platform links NPR programs 2016 podcast debuts Works about racism Educational podcasts Interview podcasts Works about American history Works about activism Works about American politics Works about social class Works about race and ethnicity Audio podcasts Political podcasts American podcasts