Down Round Xmas Spectacular 2025: Has He Got The Juice? (ft. Mark Di Stefano)
Jan 7, 2026
Mark Di Stefano, a Rear Window columnist at the Australian Financial Review, joins for a lively discussion on journalism and the tech oligopoly. They tackle the rivalry between media outlets and tech billionaires' impact on legacy publications. Mark introduces the concept of Comparative Generational Equivalents, while the group debates the political shifts of tech elites and the potential repercussions of AI advancements. They speculate on whether modern tech figures can wield power like historical elites and discuss the looming effects of AI on jobs and politics.
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Media Bubble And Recurring Guests
- Mark Di Stefano describes being a frequent guest and part of the media 'bubble' with rival outlets and recurring appearances.
- The hosts riff about producer locations, guest rankings, and media rivalries to set a playful tone for the episode.
Tech Bros Don't Grasp Journalism's Purpose
- Big tech owners often misunderstand capital-J journalism and treat media as influence levers rather than public-interest institutions.
- James JR Hennessy argues this shift risks eroding objective, investigative reporting when wealthy tech figures buy outlets.
Media Ownership Shifts Editorial Direction
- When Bezos bought the Washington Post it felt philanthropic but tech owners later pivot toward free-market framing and political triangulation.
- Raph Dixon notes Bezos and others recalibrate editorial direction to align with elite political preferences over time.