How Alternative Media is Setting the Tone for a Bold New Era in America
My journalism professor once told me that to write well, you must love your reader. In other words, approach each subject thoughtfully and with care, offering your audience truth along with proper and deserved respect.
For years now, the mainstream press has strayed from that approach. During the previous Trump administration, they were artfully and accurately nicknamed “fake news.”Â
It was a bit of (well-deserved) name-calling when the President first took office. Now, we’ve seen proof through the latest election that Americans are no longer fooled by media-driven hyperbole, hysteria, and outright lies.
Outlets like ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, et al. unapologetically called our 47th President – Hitler, racist, a dictator, and more – presumably to see if anything would stick. The apparent goal: was to influence voters away from their better judgment to vote for Harris or at least not Trump. Numerous blatant election influence attempts were made by so-called journalists. They reported things that were untrue – and I contend – that they knew were false. They didn’t seem to care. So was born Russia collusion, the “fine people hoax,” and the extreme falsehoods surrounding the contrived “insurrection” narrative of January 6th. Thankfully, voters dismissed the rants of elitist, pseudo-intellectual, coastal “news” corps who recklessly and arrogantly flailed their way through 2024.
Following the decisive election results, trends suggest traditional media is dying a slow, public death – but they aren’t going quietly. New attacks have been unleashed, despite their depleted power, on DOGE mastermind Elon Musk. For some reason, they seem to take the position that cutting government waste…is bad? Â
Silly journalists (and ranting ladies of The View) – we are on to you.
This week’s podcast guest is Anita Padilla, journalist and News Director for Florida’s Voice, a burgeoning digital news network dedicated to truth, professionalism, and fairness. We’re tackling the topic of staying true to one’s faith in the murky waters of today’s highly partisan media culture.
Things are changing – and have changed.
Back in the day, people used to flip on the TV to catch the nightly news from one of three main channels, NBC, CBS, and ABC. No internet, no CNN or Fox – just three to choose from. Folks relied on newspapers tossed onto their porches each day and radio during daily commutes to round out their media experience.
Fast forward, and the trends for how Americans prefer to get their news reveal that radio and print (newspapers) garner a paltry 10% combined in 2024. Those who like television coverage hovered around 32%, and a substantial majority (58%) chose to learn the latest via digital devices like smartphones or tablets.1 Â
In fact – though mainstream press and pundits used to hold great sway with the populace, November proved there’s a (not so) new kid in town – in the form of alternative media that has taken center stage. Now, young and old Americans listen to podcasts, view posts and short-form videos from various sources to find out what’s going on.
Social Media
It used to be just for posting a profile, pics of your kids and cats, socializing online with your friend group, and learning the latest family news. Social media has now become a central part of most people’s day. Americans spend nearly two and a half hours each day glued to their feed (with teens doubling that time), and its impact has expanded from the niceties of online vacation highlights to a place for information and news.
Currently, 33% say they view news on Facebook, with 32% doing the same on YouTube, followed by Instagram, TikTok, X, and a collection of smaller platforms. During the election season, President Trump’s campaign easily side-stepped the deeply biased traditional media, posting directly for voters who looked to social media to learn the latest on the candidates and news.
Social media’s relevance was boosted significantly with Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter (now X) in 2023. His dedication to free speech influenced other social sites to loosen their censorship of conservative voices.
Last August, President Trump sat down for a two-hour interview with Musk on X. The tech billionaire claimed the chat reached nearly a billion views and shares. There can be no comparison between the reach of that opportunity and the prospect of a paltry three minutes with a hostile interviewer on NBC or ABC. No thanks.
No matter how much the mainstream media wailed, it didn’t move those who preferred exploring the day’s news through their social feeds.
Growing Field of Alternative Media Companies
While campaigning, President Trump, Vice-President Vance, and surrogates like RFK, Tulsi Gabbard, Charlie Kirk, and Vivek Ramaswamy fielded interview invitations from many alternative media companies. These news and media organizations have been steadily sucking audience away from traditional outlets with a fresh approach and willingness to consider the massive, previously neglected conservative contingency.
The Blaze radio network was started by veteran TV news commentator Glenn Beck in 2012. After a merger with CRTV in 2018, the Blaze Network now boasts more than 2 million subscribers. Daily Wire is another big player with over 1.6 million subscribers and various offerings from news and commentary to movies and even a children’s channel, Bentkey.
More alternative media like Newsmax, Breitbart, and Prager U are offering an escape from “dictator” tirades, and Americans are scrolling their way to these and others.
Power of the Podcast
NOT doing the Joe Rogan podcast may haunt Kamala Harris for the rest of her life. Though it would’ve been a spectacle to see her go three hours in conversation with Rogan, it was no surprise to anyone that she dodged the opportunity. When Trump sat down for the long, relaxed deep dive with Rogan, the conversation garnered 38 million views in just three days, giving voters an unfiltered, unedited, and un-spun look at the candidate. Many were surprised by what they saw.
Trump seemed willing to speak with anyone about anything. He was open and honest and didn’t seem to pull any punches. Making appearances on Barstool Sports’ Bussin’ with the Boys, The Shawn Ryan Show, The All In Podcast, The Dan Bongino Show, and more – Trump’s media reach was more significant than any mainstream coverage could have offered.
Harris also appeared on several podcasts with more limited interviews. Her most noteworthy was the top podcast for women, Call Her Daddy. However, in retrospect, it may have been notable for all the wrong reasons, including Harris’ use of more than 100K in donor funds to recreate a Call Her Daddy studio set so that the candidate wouldn’t have to travel to their actual location.
The Explosive Growth of Grassroots
Influential and growing, various grassroots organizations and efforts are aiding in the displacement of fake news in the lives of their members and friends. Our own Moms for America is an excellent example of that.
Moms like you rose up in 2024 to use your influence in the election for the sake of your family and to save America. The election is over, however – know that you are always invited to lock arms with us and other like-minded mamas. We are a growing movement of patriotic moms and families dedicated to preserving the truth about our nation’s great history and promising future. We have plenty of ways for you to get involved.
Notable among other organizations that got into the fray during the campaign is Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA. They hosted events on college campuses and arenas to help students and youth embrace the truth about America. With chapters at colleges nationwide, these engaged young adults joined election-related efforts to secure a fair and honest vote. Â
It’s a rapidly changing cultural and media landscape. This digital age means communication is no longer fettered, and news sources come in every shape and size and through multiplied channels.
However, it plays out going forward, in 2024, the election results marked the culmination of the mainstream press losing most of what was left of their credibility. The ship has sailed, and Americans have moved on to more reliable sources. Are they reliable? That remains to be seen, but we choose to take fact-checking into our own hands rather than rely on those who have chosen to lie to us for years now.
Where do you like to get your news? Is cable still king for you, or do you grab a podcast or a YouTube personality to get caught up? Free speech is being unleashed in our great land once again, and where and how you choose to keep up to date – is up to you.
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