Walking Duck - News from the Center

Update, April 13: In a previous report, Walking Duck CEO Paul Wilke indicated that Mark Halperin had offered apologies to those affected by his past sexual harassment and misconduct, and that those apologies had been accepted. However, we have since received information from multiple individuals who identify as Halperin’s victims, stating that he has not apologized to them.

One individual (who had previously signed letters addressed to media outlets regarding Halperin’s conduct) communicated, “He has never contacted me with an apology. Furthermore, I cannot envision a situation where I would accept an apology after years of him denying the actions I have described. His behavior was frightening and aggressive, and I experience distress whenever I unexpectedly see him on television or online. If his business associate believes I am comfortable with this situation, they are mistaken. I am aware of many other women who are surprised by the claim that apologies have been offered or received.”

TechCrunch should have verified Wilke’s statement prior to the original publication, and we extend our apologies for this oversight.

In the current polarized political climate of the United States, can a news source successfully connect with audiences across the ideological spectrum? A new media venture, uniquely named Walking Duck, intends to explore this possibility.

Walking Duck, a play on the term “lame duck” – a name that has faced criticism for potential ableism – and an allusion to the “duck test,” was established by journalist Mark Halperin, alongside Paul and Audra Wilke, who are also contributing through their public relations firm, Upright Position Communications.

The startup is developing a range of content and events, including virtual town hall discussions. However, its initial strategy centers around three core components: the Walking Duck website, which compiles news from various sources, typically focusing on a limited number of key stories each day with accompanying analysis; Halperin’s newsletter, Wide World of News; and his Newsmax program, Mark Halperin’s Focus Group.

Halperin also holds the position of managing editor at Walking Duck, and he expressed that he and the Wilkes share a common goal of creating a publication distinct from “partisan media,” where “all information is interpreted through the framework of one political faction or another.”

Aggregation is a crucial element of this vision, not only enabling the startup to cover national news with a relatively small team of five members (at present), but also to present diverse viewpoints. Halperin asserted that any honest news organization engages in some form of aggregation.

“Even when reporting original news, people are interested in understanding the reaction to that news and how it is being covered elsewhere,” he explained. “Aggregation can be conducted in a more intelligent, efficient, and unbiased manner than is currently common. It’s possible to aggregate content for a broad audience and prioritize insightful analysis over inflammatory rhetoric.”

During a discussion with Halperin and Paul Wilke (Walking Duck’s CEO), I raised the point that the “both sides” approach, adopted by other emerging publications, has inherent limitations. When a (previous) president attempts to invalidate an election outcome and supporters subsequently attack the Capitol, presenting both sides of an argument as equally valid may be inadequate.

Wilke responded, “We don’t consistently aim to present both sides; accuracy is paramount.” Halperin echoed this sentiment, stating that the focus is less on achieving a strict 50-50 balance and more on avoiding the biases inherent in partisan perspectives. He cited the example of liberal media outlets initially criticizing former FBI Director James Comey following the release of a memo potentially impacting the 2016 election, then subsequently praising him after his dismissal by President Trump.

“I believe his actions should be evaluated consistently, regardless of the political context,” Halperin stated.

These perspectives may seem unexpected coming from a journalist with a program on Newsmax – a network known for its pro-Trump stance and willingness to disseminate election misinformation, to a greater extent than Fox News. However, Halperin and Wilke explained that their show, which features four Trump voters and four Biden voters (not professional commentators) connecting via Zoom, aims to expose conservative viewers to alternative viewpoints – and they would welcome the opportunity to do the same for liberal audiences if the show were broadcast on MSNBC.

“It’s difficult to find any cable news program that actively engages in conversations with both Trump and Biden voters,” Halperin noted. “We are doing this weekly. This is central to our effort to understand how these two groups can communicate with each other.”

Halperin’s association with Newsmax developed after he lost contracts with more established networks following numerous allegations of sexual harassment.

When I addressed the allegations in my initial email exchange with Wilke, he responded, “[Mark’s] past is behind him. He has demonstrated remorse, undergone counseling, and has both publicly and privately apologized to those he harmed, and they have… accepted his apologies. Furthermore, Upright (my other company) has a workforce comprised of more women than men, and we are extending this to Walking Duck, having discussed the matter with them and ensuring they feel secure in a safe work environment.”

Halperin also addressed the topic during our conversation, stating, “I acknowledge the expectations people have. I am simply continuing to strive to be a good colleague and a dedicated professional. I value the opportunities I am given by those willing to work with me, but ultimately, the decision rests with them.”