Free Thinking Through the Fourth Turning with Sasha Stone

Episode: How The Media's Elitism Cost Them Their Credibility

Release Date: April 12, 2025

In this compelling episode of Free Thinking Through the Fourth Turning, host Sasha Stone delves deep into the erosion of media credibility, attributing it to inherent elitism within mainstream media outlets. Through a meticulous analysis of a revealing interview between Bari Weiss, Jim VandeHei, and Mike Allen, Stone unpacks the multifaceted reasons behind the public's dwindling trust in traditional media and the consequent rise of independent news sources.

1. The Decline of Trust in Legacy Media

Stone opens the discussion by highlighting how legacy media's entrenched elitism has severed the once-strong bond with the general public. Referencing the interview, Bari Weiss asserts:

"You've put your finger on where trust meets the business model and why legacy media is so broken..." [00:28]

This sentiment underscores the fundamental disconnect between mainstream media narratives and the everyday experiences of the American populace. Weiss emphasizes that traditional outlets failed to "understand America and explain it to our audience," leading to a paradox where media professionals were "sobbing" over their shortcomings in grasping the nation's pulse.

2. The Rise of Independent Media Outlets

The conversation transitions to the emergence of independent platforms like Axios and Free Press, which have capitalized on the void left by declining trust in legacy media. Jim VandeHei of Axios remarks:

"At Axios, we don't waste your time and we don't insult your intelligence." [02:20]

Stone critiques the legacy media's defensive stance post-2016, noting their inability to pivot effectively after key political events, such as Trump's rise and the Biden-Trump debates. She points out that instead of addressing their failings, mainstream media chose sides, further alienating segments of the audience.

3. The Biden Cognitive Decline Narrative

A significant portion of the episode scrutinizes the narrative surrounding President Joe Biden's cognitive abilities. Stone references the media's hesitant response to allegations of Biden's mental decline, highlighting a lack of genuine accountability:

"As we watch them scramble to explain why they covered up Joe Biden's cognitive decline... there has never been any real reckoning." [02:20]

In contrast, she presents supporters who vehemently defend Biden's sharpness:

"He's sharp, he's fit. There is nothing to these challenges, these suggestions that somehow he's not sharp." [04:20]

The debate underscores a broader issue of media bias, where alternative narratives are dismissed or downplayed, further eroding credibility.

4. Media's Role in 2020 Political Turmoil

Stone delves into the media's handling of the tumultuous events of 2020, including the COVID-19 pandemic, George Floyd protests, and the subsequent political fallout. She criticizes the mainstream media for perpetuating false narratives and failing to provide unbiased coverage. Examples include the mishandling of Jacob Blake's case and the spread of deceptive images linking President Trump to racist actions.

"The legacy media abandoned us that summer. We all know why their desire to take down Trump was more important than telling us the truth." [08:00]

This section emphasizes how these media missteps contributed to a significant loss of public trust, as audiences felt betrayed by the perceived agenda-driven reporting.

5. The Consequences of Media Partisanship

The episode further explores the internal conflicts within mainstream media, exemplified by Chris Cillizza of Axios. When confronted about media bias, Cillizza admits to shortcomings:

"I lied about what I knew and then I lied about what I did not know." [14:01]

Stone uses this admission to argue that such revelations are symptomatic of a larger issue where media outlets prioritize political agendas over journalistic integrity. The ensuing backlash and loss of credibility are portrayed as inevitable outcomes of sustained partisanship.

6. The Impact of Social Media and Censorship

Stone addresses the intertwined roles of social media platforms and traditional media in shaping public perception. She references Matt Taibbi's revelations about censorship and manipulation within Twitter, raising concerns about first amendment violations and the suppression of dissenting voices.

"The FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the largest tech companies... had an organized system for flagging content." [25:16]

This collaboration between government entities and tech giants is depicted as a critical factor in exacerbating media distrust, as it blurs the lines between information dissemination and information control.

7. Personal Narratives and Broader Implications

Interspersed with analytical discourse, Stone weaves in personal anecdotes and broader societal observations. She recounts experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and the emotional toll of witnessing friends' tragedies, attributing these hardships to misleading media narratives.

"Two of my best friends in the world died during COVID... I had to go along with the official story." [30:08]

These personal stories serve to humanize the abstract critiques, illustrating the tangible consequences of media failure on individuals' lives.

8. Concluding Insights: A Call for Media Accountability

In her concluding remarks, Stone calls for a paradigm shift in how media perceives itself and interacts with the public. She urges legacy media to abandon their self-perceived superiority and strive for genuine objectivity and reliability.

"Stop seeing yourselves as better than the right or those in the independent lane. You're not better. Get over yourselves." [36:08]

Stone posits that in a fragmented media landscape, authenticity and reliability will determine which voices resonate and endure.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Bari Weiss on media trust:

  "They weren't seeing much of the country. They weren't seeing themselves." [00:28]

• Jim VandeHei on Axios' approach:

  "We don't waste your time and we don't insult your intelligence." [02:20]

• Sasha Stone on media failure post-2016:

  "They took a side. But worse, they positioned themselves as superior to the other side." [03:19]

• Chris Cillizza on personal accountability:

  "I lied about what I knew and then I lied about what I did not know." [14:01]

• Matt Taibbi on Twitter censorship:

  "This is quite serious. We didn't know whether it was against the law but we certainly thought it was shocking enough to be in the public interest." [25:16]

• Sasha Stone on media humility:

  "If the collapse of traditional media in the Trump era proves anything, it's that the world has changed and no one has a monopoly on truth or information." [36:08]

Final Thoughts

Sasha Stone's episode "How The Media's Elitism Cost Them Their Credibility" offers a scathing critique of mainstream media's decline, attributing it to a combination of elitism, partisanship, and failure to adapt to a changing societal landscape. By juxtaposing interviews with personal narratives and media analysis, Stone presents a comprehensive exploration of the factors undermining public trust. The episode serves as both a reflection on past media shortcomings and a cautionary tale for the future of journalism.

For more insights and detailed analyses, visit sashastone.substack.com.