Hi, this is Mira, one of On the Media's producers. Before we start this podcast extra, a quick request for you to help us with this week's show. So it's a long-held convention for news outlets to bar their employees from publicly expressing any political opinions, whether on social media or at a protest or a rally. What do you think? Is it okay for journalists to participate

in protests and marches or not? If you learned that a reporter attended the women's march,

say, or the March for Life, how would that affect how you saw their reporting? In this current

political environment, do you think reporters should be neutral all the time or free to express

their opinions?

If you have thoughts on these issues, record a voice memo.

Email it to on the media at WNYC.org.

We may use it in this week's show.

Oh, and please send by Thursday at noon eastern time.

Thanks.

In the new normal, breaking news even happens on Sundays.

Steve Bannon is the White House chief strategist, but even that title may not do justice

to his influence in the West Wing.

President Trump gave Bannon a permanent seat on what's called the Principles Committee

of the National Security Council. That is the body tasked with providing the President all the information he needs

to make the most urgent, the most high-stakes life-or-death decisions about this country's security.

The appointment of Mr. Bannon is something which is a radical departure from any national

security council in history.

Steve Bannon, former editor of Breitbart News,

became the focus of national attention back in November

after the election victory of his boss,

elevated him to chief White House strategist.

...