Words That Matter: A Conversation on Dissent and Journalism with Politico’s Peter Canellos

Peter Canellos, Managing Editor of Politico and author of The Great Dissenter, joins host Renee Rothauge to explore the lasting impact of dissenting opinions in the U.S. Supreme Court through the legacy of Justice John Marshall Harlan. Highlighting landmark decisions such as Plessy v. Ferguson, Canellos explains how Harlan’s once-overlooked dissents became guiding principles for civil rights advocates and helped shape American jurisprudence. The conversation also touches on the power of dissents to influence future decisions, inspire legislative change, and reflect shifts in public opinion, while affirming the vital role of fact-based, trustworthy journalism in supporting democratic discourse.