Summary of "On the Media" Episode: The New 'State Media.' Plus, Podcasters Are Running the FBI.

Hosts: Brooke Gladstone and Michael Loewinger
Podcast: On the Media, WNYC Studios
Release Date: March 1, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of On the Media, hosts Brooke Gladstone and Michael Loewinger explore the evolving landscape of media influence within the U.S. government. They discuss the White House's recent decision to expand its press pool to include new media voices, the appointment of podcasters to high-ranking FBI positions, and the broader implications for free speech, government transparency, and media credibility. Additionally, the episode touches on the shifting dynamics of the Republican Party's stance toward Russia and President Trump's ongoing admiration for Vladimir Putin amidst the prolonged conflict in Ukraine.

Expansion of the White House Press Room to New Media Voices

Opening Up to Non-Traditional Media

The White House has initiated a significant change by inviting a broader array of media professionals into the briefing room. This includes independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers, and content creators, breaking away from the traditional All-Protected Correspondents' Association (WHCA) model.

Anna Merlin [04:54]: "We're also opening up this briefing room to new media voices who produce news-related content and whose outlet is not already represented by one of the seats in this room."

Brooke Gladstone [05:29]: "Moving forward, the White House press pool will be determined by the White House press team... deserving outlets who have never been allowed to share in this awesome responsibility."

Criticism of the New Media Entrants

Many of the newly appointed media figures have backgrounds that raise concerns about their objectivity and credibility. Anna Merlin, a senior reporter at Mother Jones, criticizes the selection of these individuals, labeling them as propagandists lacking genuine journalistic integrity.

Anna Merlin [09:20]: "Spare me the idea that any of the members of this press corps who are standing right behind me right now give a damn about free speech, because they don't. They're the state media. They're these state propagandists that frankly the CCP would envy."

Profiles of New Media Correspondents and Their Backgrounds

Dan Bongino

Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent and conservative podcaster, has been appointed as the Deputy Director of the FBI. His transition from a law enforcement background to a high-ranking federal position underscores the merging of media influence and governmental power.

Dan Bongino [02:00]: "Oh, no, I don't leave."

Brandi Zadrozhny [24:18]: "He used his proximity as a Secret Service agent... as a way to thrust him into politics."

Natalie Winters

Natalie Winters, associated with Steve Bannon's war room, has a history of writing biased stories without disclosing her funding sources, raising questions about her journalistic ethics.

Anna Merlin [08:41]: "Natalie Winters was paid by the backers of a Chinese businessman accused of fraud to write flattering stories about him for various right-wing publications."

Allison Steinberg and Kara Castronova

Members of the Mike Lindell Media group, Allison Steinberg and Kara Castronova, bring their backgrounds from right-wing news sites to the White House press pool, further blurring the lines between media and political advocacy.

Anna Merlin [10:32]: "Her name is Allison Steinberg... eager and excited to bring truth and shine light into the darkness."

Mary Margaret Olahan

A representative from The Daily Wire, Mary Margaret Olahan, exemplifies the type of content creators now given access to White House briefings. Her activities include sharing executive orders and presidential accomplishments on social media.

Anna Merlin [11:20]: "To date, her work has involved things like tweeting screenshots of executive orders and taking a video of President Trump walking into a room."

Critical Analysis of the New Media's Role and Credibility

The inclusion of these new media voices is met with skepticism regarding their commitment to unbiased reporting and their potential role in spreading misinformation.

Anna Merlin [09:20]: "All they do is carry water and carry the talking points... they don't care about free speech."

Brooke Gladstone [03:06]: "Here are some of the flagrant scams that... we've been able to recapture."

The Illusory Truth Effect

Brooke Gladstone discusses the psychological phenomenon where repeated statements are perceived as more truthful, highlighting the dangers of misinformation being perpetuated through repetition.

Brooke Gladstone [04:41]: "The illusory truth effect... it's easier to process and so are perceived to be more truthful than follow-up statements."

The FBI's Leadership and the Appointment of Dan Bongino

Appointment and Background

Dan Bongino's appointment as Deputy Director of the FBI marks a significant shift toward incorporating media figures with strong political biases into federal law enforcement roles.

Anna Merlin [23:00]: "Dan Bongino will serve as the FBI second in command to the agency's director, Cash Patel."

Bongino's Influence in Right-Wing Media

Bongino's rise in media, particularly through his podcast, has solidified his status as a prominent figure in conservative circles, often promoting conspiracy theories and anti-FBI narratives.

Brandi Zadrozhny [25:20]: "He became a huge proponent of this conspiracy theory called Spygate..."

Impact on FBI's Direction

Under Cash Patel's leadership, the FBI is experiencing significant organizational changes, including the relocation of agents and unconventional training initiatives.

Michael Loewinger [23:00]: "Planned to move some 1500 FBI agents out of D.C. and into field offices around the country."

Cash Patel [23:57]: "I discuss partisan content in an opinion show can go and do an unquestionably nonpartisan job."

Dan Bongino's History and Influence in Right-Wing Media

Early Career and Podcasting

Dan Bongino launched his podcast, "The Dan Bongino Show," in 2015, which gained significant traction by aligning closely with Trump's narratives and fostering a loyal conservative audience.

Brandi Zadrozhny [25:39]: "He really jumped whole hog onto the Trump train... latching onto pro-Trump narratives."

Promotion of Conspiracy Theories

Bongino has been instrumental in spreading unfounded claims about FBI interference and election fraud, contributing to the erosion of trust in federal institutions.

Dan Bongino [30:36]: "The FBI is lost, it's broken. Irredeemably corrupt at this point."

Media Strategy and Platform Shifts

Bongino adeptly navigated media bans, transitioning his podcast to platforms like Rumble to maintain and grow his influence.

Brandi Zadrozhny [27:43]: "Bongino was Rumble's first major creator... Steve Bannon, Charlie Kirk are all on Rumble now."

The FBI's Current State Under Cash Patel

Organizational Changes

Cash Patel has made significant moves to restructure the FBI, including relocating agents and introducing unconventional training programs.

Cash Patel [23:57]: "I will now be on the ground giving live updates from DC in this era of fake news."

Politicization Concerns

Patel and Bongino's appointments raise alarms about the potential politicization of the FBI, undermining its role as an impartial law enforcement agency.

Brandi Zadrozhny [31:53]: "Assume... he thinks it's a corrupt organization... needs to be disbanded."

Potential Threats to Journalistic Integrity

The merging of media personalities with federal roles poses risks to journalistic standards and the protection of democratic processes.

Anna Merlin [34:28]: "It wouldn't surprise me if Bongino and the other loyalists... move some of their targets to the media itself."

The Shift in the Republican Stance on Russia and Putin

Changing Attitudes

The Republican Party, influenced by Trump, has exhibited a softened stance toward Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, diverging from their previously hawkish positions.

Brooke Gladstone [39:00]: "This is a profound shift in especially the Republican Party's once very hawkish stance on Russia."

Trump's Admiration for Putin

Trump's continued admiration for Putin reflects a significant realignment within the party, emphasizing a shared authoritarian discourse that resonates with certain conservative factions.

Yaroslav Trofimov [42:53]: "If you see how Trump is speaking now about global politics, it's very much just like Putin, 19th century imperialist discourse."

Russia’s War in Ukraine and Its Coverage

Putin's Strategic Narratives

Vladimir Putin has masterfully crafted narratives that portray Russia as a defender of traditional values, masking the brutal realities of the war in Ukraine.

Dan Bongino [38:25]: "You have to be thankful you don't have the cars. You're buried there. People are dying."

Historical Memory and Cultural Destruction

The war in Ukraine is not only a territorial conflict but also a battle over historical memory, with Russia attempting to erase Ukrainian history and culture.

Yaroslav Trofimov [49:24]: "Ukraine underwent a man-made famine, the Holodomor... Russia not just denies, but tries to destroy."

Impact on Ukrainian Society

The deliberate targeting of Ukrainian intellectuals and cultural figures underscores Russia's intent to dismantle the nation's historical and cultural identity.

Yaroslav Trofimov [52:07]: "The cycle of physical elimination of Ukrainian voices... speaking Ukrainian... is already a crime against the Russian state."

Media Portrayal and Public Perception

The coverage of the war has been influenced by political narratives that either demonize Ukraine or obscure Russia's aggressive actions, leading to a confused public understanding of the conflict.

Brooke Gladstone [44:08]: "Russia's war against Ukraine is fundamentally a struggle over historical memory."

Concluding Thoughts

This episode of On the Media highlights the troubling convergence of new media influencers with governmental power structures, particularly within the White House press pool and the FBI. The appointment of individuals with strong political biases and backgrounds in conspiracy-driven media raises critical questions about the future of journalistic integrity, governmental transparency, and the safeguarding of democratic institutions. Additionally, the analysis of Russia's engagement in Ukraine and its portrayal within American media underscores the complex interplay between historical memory and contemporary political narratives.

Anna Merlin [17:40]: "This is about preserving fundamental elements of our democracy."

Brandi Zadrozhny [35:08]: "I can't believe it. It does send a signal to other creators that this is the way to power."

This comprehensive exploration serves as a critical examination of the current media landscape's vulnerabilities and the potential threats posed by the infiltration of partisan media figures into key government roles.

Note: The timestamps correspond to the moments in the transcript where the quotes were taken, providing context and authenticity to the summary.