The Weekly Memo: Alternative Media Now Mainstream
The way Americans consume news and information has dramatically changed in recent years. A report released last week from Pew Research states that over half of U.S. adults (54 percent) say they’ve listened to a podcast in the past 12 months. Americans under the age of 30 are far more likely to listen to podcasts, with 67 percent saying they have listened to a podcast in the past 12 months. In addition, about a third of U.S. adults (32 percent) say they get news from podcasts at least some of the time.
Part of the reason for the increasing reliance on podcasts for news and information seems to be associated with the soundbite nature of cable TV news and other traditional sources. This sentiment is evident by the habits of podcast listeners – almost 70 percent consume podcasts that “primarily explain a topic or issue in the news in depth.”
According to another Pew report, some 86 percent of U.S. adults say they get news from a smartphone, computer or tablet, at least some of the time. While viewership of TV news remains steady, 56 percent of American adults utilize digital devices often, compared to just 32 percent for those who often rely on television for their news.
ICYMI: Part 2 Interview with Congressman Kevin Hern
Ep. 6, Part 2: Congressman Kevin Hern
Kevin Hern currently serves in the United States House of Representatives, representing Oklahoma’s First Congressional District. Prior to serving in Congress, Hern spent decades in the private sector as a successful businessman and entrepreneur.
