This podcast discusses the decline in public trust in American media, the partisan lean of news organizations, Poland's increase in military spending due to the war in Ukraine, and the appeal of the popular British TV show 'Homes Under the Hammer'.
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Quick takeaways
The public trust in American media has declined, with many supposedly centrist news organizations exhibiting a left-wing slant.
Poland has increased military spending in response to the war in Ukraine, with widespread support for record levels of military expenditure.
Deep dives
American Media's Partisan Slant
The public trust in American media has significantly declined, particularly among conservatives who accuse non-partisan news sources of liberal bias. The Economist's data team conducted a rigorous analysis to measure the partisan slant of different news organizations. The results showed that many supposedly centrist news organizations exhibit a left-wing slant, with conservative language being more predominant only on Fox News. The disparity has grown since Donald Trump took office, and the number of media sources that cover both sides with balanced language has fallen to zero.
Poland's Military Spending Trends
Poland has been increasing its military spending as a response to the war in neighboring Ukraine. The country has raised its military budget to 3% of GDP, well above the NATO target of 2%. There is a strong consensus across Poland for record levels of military spending, with polls showing widespread support. The previous government placed substantial orders to enhance the army's power, including the purchase of fighter jets, rocket launchers, and attack helicopters. The new government is expected to continue prioritizing rearmament and maintaining a robust military.
The British Dream of Becoming a Landlord
The popular TV show 'Homes Under the Hammer' reflects the British obsession with becoming a landlord. The show, now in its 26th series, follows former Premier League footballer Dion Dublin as he showcases dilapidated houses and their potential for rental income. The show reveals Britain's national affinity for owning investment properties, with over 2.8 million landlords in the country. However, recent changes in tax perks for landlords, stricter regulations, and increasing interest rates are challenging the British dream of being a landlord, making it a more expensive and less favorable investment option.
News outlets are often hounded by the right for being too left-leaning. Our data show there might be something to that, but the reasons why are more complicated than you think. As a NATO frontline state, the war in Ukraine is prompting Poland to ramp up its military spending – and double the size of its armed forces (08:42). And, what a hit property show reveals about the British dream (15:25).
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