On the Media

Douglas Rushkoff, a Professor of digital economics and author of 'Survival of the Richest,' dives into the wild world of tech billionaires' survival fantasies and their implications for society. Meanwhile, Jay Graber, CEO of Bluesky, shares her vision for a decentralized social platform that champions user autonomy over traditional profit models. The discussion highlights the tumultuous effects of presidential tariffs on the economy and examines the evolving social media landscape in the wake of major shifts like Musk's Twitter acquisition.

Chris Murphy, Junior Senator from Connecticut, dives into the challenges facing American democracy under the Trump administration. He critiques party leadership, urging a shift towards a populist anti-big-money agenda to better engage voters. Murphy discusses the urgent need for advocacy for marginalized communities and the Democratic Party's internal conflicts. He emphasizes the importance of coalition-building and public mobilization, warning against the influence of money in politics and advocating for reform to safeguard democratic integrity.

Ilya Marritz, a reporter focused on American higher education, digs into the funding battles facing Harvard under the Trump administration. Alongside him, Randall Kennedy, a Harvard Law professor and author, sheds light on the historical evolution of diversity within academia. They discuss the implications of recent Supreme Court rulings on affirmative action and the broader societal impacts. The conversation reveals how political influences challenge academic autonomy while raising critical questions about the future of diversity in schools.

Rebecca Clark-Callender, a producer known for her insightful reporting on media dynamics, discusses the explosive growth of the betting industry in sports journalism. She highlights the staggering $3.1 billion expected in March Madness bets and the partnerships formed between major outlets and betting companies. The conversation delves into ethical dilemmas faced by journalists amidst insider information risks and the potential for gambling scandals. Additionally, Clark-Callender addresses the rise of fantasy sports and the shift towards tech-driven betting, reshaping the landscape of sports media.

Will Sommer, a Senior reporter at The Bulwark, dives into the 'Signalgate' scandal, where an accidental leak of sensitive military plans led to a media frenzy and intense backlash from conservative circles. Jennifer Berkshire, co-author of The Education Wars, sheds light on the surprising conservative opposition to school voucher programs, exposing deep rifts within the Republican base. Jacob Silverman, journalist and crypto expert, discusses Trump's dramatic pivot to becoming the 'Crypto President,' launching a $TRUMP memecoin and his connection to the crypto industry.

Lee Zeldin, former President Trump’s appointee at the EPA, discusses his controversial rollbacks of environmental regulations. He explains the elimination of 31 key protections aimed at climate change and pollution, sparking debates on economic versus ecological priorities. The conversation also traces the historical shift in environmental policy, contrasting today's political battleground with the late 1960s, when the environment united bipartisan efforts. Zeldin highlights the evolving public perception of the EPA and its challenges in safeguarding ecological interests.

Nicole Hemmer, a political historian and co-host of "This Day," discusses the significant funding cuts to Voice of America and their historical implications for press freedom. Dorian Lynskey, a cultural journalist and author of "Everything Must Go," dives into humanity's obsession with end-of-the-world narratives, linking them to contemporary anxieties about climate change and social instability. Together, they explore how these stories reveal our deepest fears and the vital importance of independent journalism in preserving truth in a chaotic world.

Ezra Klein, a New York Times opinion columnist and host of "The Ezra Klein Show," and Derek Thompson, a staff writer at The Atlantic and host of "Plain English," discuss their book, "Abundance." They critique contemporary liberalism, addressing the false narratives of scarcity and how red states lead in clean energy. The duo explores the housing crisis in New York, linking it with income inequality, and highlights the essential role of immigrants in driving U.S. innovation and economic growth, urging a shift in immigration policy.

Corey Robin, a distinguished political science professor and author, examines the parallels between current events and the Red Scare, particularly in the context of Mahmoud Khalil's recent detention. He discusses how government crackdowns on free speech can erode political culture. David Enrich, business investigations editor for The New York Times, highlights the growing threats to press freedom and the dangerous rise of defamation lawsuits, warning of their implications for journalists and the First Amendment.

Last January the hedge fund Alden Global Capital sold The Baltimore Sun to David Smith, an executive at Sinclair Broadcast Group. Smith once told Trump that Sinclair was "here to deliver your message.” He is also known to support conservative causes like Moms for Liberty. It's been a year and with the release of new circulation numbers, its clear that whatever Smith is doing at the Sun, isn't working: Circulation is down, web traffic is down, journalists are leaving in the their droves. After the sale went through last year, we spoke to Milton Kent, professor of practice in the School of Global Journalism and Communication at Morgan State University and Liz Bowie, who worked at The Sun for over 30 years before making the jump to the nonprofit, the Baltimore Banner.  On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm). Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org.