Gary Siegel: Why Every Word Fed Chairman Says Matters More Than the Headline

Gary Siegel has been with The Bond Buyer — the only independent information resource serving the entire municipal finance community — since 1989. In this episode, he reflects on what it means to cover the economic indicators and the Federal Reserve for over 35 years, from the pre-Internet word-processor era to today's multimedia landscape. Gary shares a candid take on the state of journalism, arguing that too much editorializing in what should be straight news coverage has eroded public trust more than any technology shift. He breaks down what makes FOMC coverage endlessly interesting despite predictable headlines — it's the subtext, the parsing of every word Powell says, and the range of interpretations it generates across the municipal finance community. Gary also offers straightforward pitch advice: know the beat, or don't bother.