theglobeandmail.com
Left-Leaning Podcast MeidasTouch Briefly Overtakes Joe Rogan in Popularity
The MeidasTouch podcast, created by three brothers, briefly dethroned Joe Rogan's podcast as the most popular in the U.S. and Canada due to its left-leaning, fact-based approach, which contrasts with the right-wing content of Rogan and other popular podcasts.
- What are the long-term implications of MeidasTouch's success for the podcasting industry and the broader political media landscape?
- The increasing popularity of MeidasTouch signals a potential realignment in media consumption. Its success may encourage similar left-leaning podcasts and indicates growing dissatisfaction with the dominance of right-wing content.
- How does MeidasTouch's approach to news and commentary differ from that of right-leaning podcasts and how does this explain its appeal?
- MeidasTouch's success reflects a growing audience seeking alternative viewpoints to right-leaning podcasts. The podcast directly counters what it sees as right-wing propaganda, providing fact-checks and critiques of figures like Donald Trump and Fox News.
- What factors contributed to MeidasTouch's unexpected rise in podcast rankings, surpassing long-time leader Joe Rogan, and what does this indicate about the current media landscape?
- The MeidasTouch podcast, known for its anti-Trump stance, briefly surpassed Joe Rogan's podcast in popularity. This highlights a shift in podcast listenership, with a left-leaning podcast achieving top rankings, a rarity in recent years.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames MeidasTouch's success as a direct challenge to and victory over Joe Rogan, emphasizing the podcast's left-leaning perspective and its opposition to right-wing voices. The headline "Left-leaning podcast dethrones Joe Rogan" immediately positions the narrative favorably toward MeidasTouch. The descriptions of MeidasTouch consistently use positive language ("rare feat," "triumph," "antidote") while employing loaded language toward Rogan and his listeners. This framing influences the reader's perception of the relative merits of each podcast.
Language Bias
The article uses charged language to describe opposing viewpoints. For example, "right-wing podcast bros," "vile, despicable, pathetic and weak," and "propagandizing everything" are emotionally charged phrases that lack neutrality. The use of "jerks" to describe those with opposing views is also loaded and pejorative. Neutral alternatives might include phrases such as "right-leaning podcasts," "critiques of the President," and "misinformation." Such language choices potentially influence the reader's perception.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the MeidasTouch podcast and its creators, offering limited perspectives from other podcasts or media outlets. While acknowledging the popularity of Joe Rogan's podcast, it doesn't delve into the content or appeal of other right-leaning podcasts, potentially leading to an incomplete picture of the podcasting landscape. The article also omits discussion of potential criticisms of MeidasTouch, limiting the reader's ability to form a balanced opinion.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a stark contrast between MeidasTouch and right-leaning podcasts, framing them as opposing forces in a simplistic "us vs. them" narrative. This oversimplification ignores the diversity of viewpoints within both the left and right-leaning podcasting spheres. The constant comparisons to Joe Rogan as the "anti-Rogan" also creates a false dichotomy, overlooking other influential podcasts and the complexity of political discourse.
Gender Bias
The article focuses primarily on the three Meiselas brothers, mentioning their professional backgrounds and political views. While their individual contributions are highlighted, the article doesn't delve into the gender distribution among the podcast's staff, guests, or audience. Therefore, an analysis of gender bias is limited by the information provided.
Sustainable Development Goals
The MeidasTouch podcast provides fact-based analysis of political issues, countering misinformation and promoting media literacy. This contributes to quality education by equipping citizens with critical thinking skills necessary to engage in informed political discourse and resist propaganda.