The Future of Media In A Challenging Time
Navigating a media crisis point with an incoming administration revenge tour
It’s been a rough few weeks for democracy, and there is a lot to consider around the future of media under a challenging incoming administration, known for spreading misinformation and a strong dislike for the free press. Along with many ongoing seismic shifts in the media industry over the last few years, ushered in with a wave of rapid technology evolutions, budgets, access, safety, platform changes, attention retention, and so much more - what will the future look like now under so much disruption and distrust?
Some of the broader trends and challenges facing media and democracy include the following key aspects:
Technology and Media Evolution
The rise of AI and its impact on content creation and verification
Rapid shifts in distribution platforms and business models
Changes in how audiences consume and engage with news
The challenge of sustainable funding for quality journalism
Information Ecosystem Challenges
The speed at which information (and misinformation) spreads
Declining trust in traditional media institutions
The rise of alternative information channels
The challenge of maintaining journalistic standards while competing for attention
Structural Pressures
Economic constraints facing newsrooms
Safety concerns for journalists
Changes in access to sources and information
Platform dependencies and algorithm changes
Panic at the (media) disco
In a recent article in The Hollywood Reporter, many news reporters have been left stunned by the election outcome and the lack of knowledge of the full scale of American audiences, more concerned for traditional legacy media than ever. “Ratings for the broadcast and cable news channels saw steep declines in ratings from Nielsen (finals showed an average of 42.3 million people, down from nearly 57 million four years ago), with the lowest ratings in decades. The steepest drop was felt at CNN, which saw its numbers fall below MSNBC for the first election night since that channel launched nearly three decades ago. (A caveat: Network PR reps note that readership and viewership online spiked on Election Day, more in keeping with modern consumption patterns. But the value in someone watching a 20 second CNN clip on X or a stream on Roku Channel is much different than someone who tunes in on TV.)”
Changing Platforms
A big takeaway from this recent election is changing platform reach (ie. Podcasts get more younger demographic attention that traditional TV news) and general awareness of media ownership conflicts (ie. The mass exodus of X/Twitter, with a movement towards Bluesky or previously, Threads). For more on media lessons from the election, read my previous post on Campaign Media Lessons
*Also a good read on the size and scale of recent podcast deals , reflecting the ongoing investments in the medium that reaches wide demographics.
Wrestling with Disinformation
As many exit polls showed, there is a wide gap between education and thoughts around the economy, as effective yet false talking points were spread around the country, with every leading newspaper sounding the alarm that apparently landed on deaf (or indifferent) ears. Where do we go from here? Read my recent post on the need for Media Literacy education.
The Experts
It seems everyone has an opinions about this right now, but some good podcast listening on the subject include:
Kara Swisher and Reid Hoffman discuss the future of media & business
Tina Brown on BOF, discussing the role of journalism under Trump
Stay tuned for more…
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