Talking Dateline: Conversations at CrimeCon
Summary
In this special CrimeCon 2026 episode, Josh Mankiewicz interviews Ellison Barber about Dateline’s evolution from general news to in-depth murder coverage. They discuss the show’s history, Mankiewicz’s relationship with Keith Morrison, and the impact of his Missing in America podcast. The conversation also covers audience engagement, journalistic ethics, and the importance of honoring victims’ lives beyond their crimes.
Topics discussed
Introduction: Josh Mankiewicz and Ellison Barber at CrimeCon
The origin of Dateline's focus on murder cases
Live events and connecting with the audience
Reflections on career and the value of crime journalism
Relationship with Keith Morrison and his podcast voice
The Missing in America podcast and the Nancy Snow case
Madison McGee's Ice Cold Case podcast
Audience Q&A: Diversity in true crime storytelling
Audience Q&A: Production process and answering viewer questions
Conclusion and preview of Part 2
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