POLITICO Tech Podcast Summary
Episode: The Overlooked Factor That Shapes How People Vote
Release Date: November 12, 2024

Introduction

In the latest episode of POLITICO Tech, host Stephen Overlea engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Stephen Waldman, co-founder and president of Two Report for America and Rebuild Local News. The discussion centers on a pivotal yet often overlooked factor influencing voter behavior: the sources from which individuals obtain their information. Waldman, drawing from his extensive background in political journalism, argues that understanding where voters get their news is crucial to comprehending recent election outcomes.

The Changing Media Landscape

Waldman begins by addressing the traditional focus on demographic groups in post-election analyses. He states, “A lot of the conversation understandably is about demographic groups... But the thing that misses is how do people get their news?” (02:05). He emphasizes that the evolution of information consumption over the past decade plays a significant role in shaping voting patterns.

Waldman critiques the outdated terminology surrounding media, suggesting that terms like "alternative media" no longer suffice. He explains, “The word the media doesn't really mean anything anymore... It's a mix... of traditional media, non-traditional media, and social media” (03:00). This blending complicates efforts to analyze the impact of media on voter behavior, as information now flows through diverse and often overlapping channels.

Impact on Voting Behavior

Delving deeper, Waldman highlights distinct voting preferences tied to information sources. Referencing an NBC poll conducted earlier in the year, he notes, “Among people who are most likely to get their news from newspapers were at that point going 70 to 21 for Biden. And among people who are primarily getting their news from YouTube or Google, it was 55 to 39 for Trump” (04:24). This stark contrast underscores how differing media consumption habits can influence electoral outcomes.

He further illustrates that demographic groups, such as Latinos and young voters, who predominantly use social media for news, showed significant shifts in their voting behaviors. “Latinos are considerably more likely to be social media users and get news from social media than white people are... same thing with young people... they're above the national average in how often they're getting their news from social media” (04:24).

Social Media's Role and Its Effects

The conversation shifts to the evolving role of social media platforms in news dissemination. Waldman observes a substantial increase in news consumption on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. He mentions, “Last election, of the people who were using TikTok regularly, only 3% of them were using them for news. This time it was 17%” (06:23). Similarly, YouTube’s role has grown, with news consumption rising from 23% to 32% among adults (06:50).

Waldman raises concerns about the implications of increased reliance on social media, highlighting its polarizing nature and propensity for spreading misinformation. “There's all sorts of evidence that social media, A is more polarizing. And B spreads more misinformation” (06:50). While he acknowledges that misinformation could be present across the political spectrum, he points to anecdotal evidence suggesting a higher prevalence on the right, potentially influencing voter decisions (07:33).

The Decline of Traditional and Local News

A significant portion of the discussion addresses the decline of traditional and local news outlets. Waldman explains, “We've lost somewhere between 60 and 65% of the reporters out there in about two decades. Thousands of communities have no local news” (14:33). This vacuum has been filled predominantly by national news and social media, leading to a more fragmented and polarized information environment.

The absence of local news has broader societal implications, including reduced community cohesion and increased alienation among residents. Waldman notes, “When local news goes away, it's replaced by national stuff... It leads you to have more misunderstandings about those people” (14:33). Moreover, the decline hampers communities' ability to address local issues effectively, fostering a sense of powerlessness and disconnection (16:25).

Responsibilities of Tech Platforms

Overlea shifts the discussion to the responsibilities of tech platforms like X, YouTube, and TikTok, given their role as primary information sources. He raises critical questions about accountability, asking, “If social media is basically going to act like publishers, shouldn't they have to be subject to some of the same rules as publishers?” (13:33).

Waldman concurs, stating, “I think so. But that's a hugely controversial topic” (13:33). He criticizes tech companies for their contradictory stance on being news sources while resisting regulatory accountability. “They will say we are actually the best source for news... But then when it comes to... lawsuits... they say, no, we're not publishers” (12:13). This tension highlights the challenge of ensuring accurate and responsible information dissemination on dominant digital platforms.

Future Implications

Looking ahead, Waldman speculates on the future of media and its impact on politics. He anticipates that traditional journalism will need to adapt by embracing platforms like TikTok and YouTube to remain relevant. “It's never going to go back to the days where you just had like a trusted brand and you looked that up on the Internet” (09:06).

Waldman also foresees the potential influence of artificial intelligence in future elections, predicting it could become a major factor by 2028. He muses, “Maybe human beings will make a comeback, like having actual journalists that you kind of know who they are and come to trust them” (09:06). This perspective suggests a possible resurgence in the value placed on trusted, human-driven journalism amidst increasing digital misinformation.

Overlea echoes this sentiment, adding, “There’s a potential future where because of disinformation fueled by AI, people may be looking for trusted sources of information” (11:10). However, he questions whether legacy media will regain its trusted status, given existing public trust issues.

Reviving Local News as a Solution

The conversation concludes with Waldman emphasizing the importance of reviving local news outlets to counteract the negative trends in information consumption. By restoring local journalism, communities can regain a sense of cohesion and empower residents to address local issues effectively. “When there's less local news, you feel powerless and ineffective in your own community” (16:25).

Rebuild Local News aims to fill the void left by declining local media, fostering informed and engaged communities. This revival is seen as a counterbalance to the polarizing and often unreliable nature of national news and social media, potentially leading to more informed and cohesive voter bases in future elections.

Conclusion

Stephen Waldman’s insights on the POLITICO Tech podcast shed light on the critical yet overlooked role of information sources in shaping voter behavior. The decline of traditional and local news, coupled with the rise of social media as a primary news source, has profound implications for political polarization and election outcomes. Reviving local journalism emerges as a key strategy to foster informed, engaged, and cohesive communities, ultimately influencing future electoral dynamics.

Notable Quotes:

• “A lot of the conversation understandably is about demographic groups... But the thing that misses is how do people get their news?” – Stephen Waldman (02:05)

• “It's a mix... of traditional media, non-traditional media, and social media” – Stephen Waldman (03:00)

• “Among people who are most likely to get their news from newspapers were at that point going 70 to 21 for Biden...” – Stephen Waldman (04:24)

• “There's all sorts of evidence that social media, A is more polarizing. And B spreads more misinformation” – Stephen Waldman (07:33)

• “We've lost somewhere between 60 and 65% of the reporters out there in about two decades...” – Stephen Waldman (14:33)

• “If social media is basically going to act like publishers, shouldn't they have to be subject to some of the same rules as publishers?” – Stephen Overlea (13:33)

• “Maybe human beings will make a comeback, like having actual journalists that you kind of know who they are and come to trust them” – Stephen Waldman (09:06)

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode, providing a clear and engaging overview for those who haven't listened to the podcast.