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On the Media

WNYC Studios
Organized Retail Crime
Eurovision Song Contest
Shoplifting
Climate Change
Crime Policy
European Broadcasting Union
AI In Journalism
Norman Lear
COP28
Russia
ABBA
Gannett
National Retail Federation
All In the Family
Public Education
Jesus
Crimean Tatars
Putin
Ukraine
Israel

On the Media is a weekly show that uses the media as a lens to understand our world. On the Media listeners say the show is an essential companion, helping them survive the firehose of media coming at them 24/7. Hosted by Brooke Gladstone and Micah Loewinger, the show does not do ‘hot takes’, instead offering listeners context, historical parallels, media analysis and often a much appreciated deep... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes1861Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for On the Media

Latest Episodes

This week, the Idaho Senate is considering a bill that would block transgender people from using public bathrooms that conform with their gender identity, escalating the state’s preexisting trans bathroom ban in public schools. A first offense could ... more

President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are demanding “more patriotic” coverage of the widening war in Iran. On this week’s On the Media, hear how the Pentagon is cracking down on its publication, Stars and Stripes. Plus, fake AI images of... more

Brooke Gladstone talks with Pasha Talankin, star and co-creator of the new documentary Mr. Nobody Against Putin. Pasha is a high school teacher who made an incredibly vivid and detailed account of Putin’s efforts to indoctrinate schoolchildren in Rus... more

The US and Israel have continued a large-scale bombing campaign in Iran, killing over 1,300 civilians. On this week’s On the Media, the far-reaching implications of the Department of Defense’s scrapping of an initiative to protect civilians. Plus, ho... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Wes J. Bryant
Former senior policy analyst and advisor at the Pentagon, civilian harm mitigation expert
Pentagon (Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Center of Excellence)
Episode: Hegseth’s Pentagon Axed a Program Meant to Save Civilian Lives
David Gilbert
Reporter at Wired covering disinformation and online extremism
Wired
Episode: Hegseth’s Pentagon Axed a Program Meant to Save Civilian Lives
Alan Rozenshtein
Associate Professor of Law, University of Minnesota; Lawfare researcher
Lawfare
Episode: The AI-Powered War Machines Are Here
Siva Vaidhyanathan
Professor of Media Studies, University of Virginia
University of Virginia
Episode: The AI-Powered War Machines Are Here
David Osit
Documentary filmmaker, director of Predators
Independent filmmaker
Episode: A New Doc Questions The Legacy of "To Catch A Predator"
Victor Pickard
Professor of media policy and political economy, University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: The Ellisons Prepare to Expand Their Media Empire
Victor Picard
Professor of media policy and political economy at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: The Century-Long Capture of U.S. Media
Jim Rutenberg
Writer at large for The New York Times
Episode: The Man With a Plan to Reshape Broadcast TV
Daniel Suhr
President of the Center for American Rights
Center for American Rights
Episode: The Man With a Plan to Reshape Broadcast TV

Hosts

Brooke Gladstone
Host of On the Media; frequently guides discussions on media policy, broadcasting ethics, and public media.
Micah Loewinger
Co-host focusing on media systems, investigative reporting, and contemporary media culture.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 11k ratings
  • Broadcast TV

    Whew, the conservative fundie was hard to listen to. He’s a delusional extremist that unfortunately has too much power. I appreciate your challenging questions. More journalist need to do the same. At least he seems nice.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dannie Review This
    United Statesa month ago
  • Gladstone!

    Feb 20th 2026 episode. Stunning. Brilliant interviews. I have always loved this show but this one stuck me as special. Thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Louisville Mugger
    United Statesa month ago
  • The Best

    Just the Best thing on radio. I look forward to every episode. (and I donate, of course ;)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MartinxMA
    United States2 months ago
  • Shadow President

    Just listened to the episode about Russel Vought Thank you! I have thought all along that he is the guy running the show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SallyCB
    United States2 months ago
  • The day after

    Dear on The Media hosts , With so much sadness I appreciate your honest show ! There is not much to add to this election despoilment but the most pailful reality of a country so full of Des inform people that you can’t be serious about any future ,it is so unsettled I am very disappointed and worried but also aware that so many people don’t care or understand their own country and the effect of this election result for the country and the rest of the world . Wishing you the best on this journey.... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    alfonina
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans appreciate the rigorous fact-checking and historical context, often calling it essential for understanding media power.
Some listeners feel the show has become more partisan or opinionated with newer hosts.
Listeners praise sharp, thoughtful interviewing and the deep dive into media systems.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#63
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#179
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#87
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#241
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#162
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#209
Germany/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Century-Long Capture of U.S. Media
Q: Is public broadcasting really a third rail in American policy, or can investment in it pay democratic dividends?
While it has not matched European models, there is evidence that stronger public media funding correlates with healthier democracies, implying that public investment can mitigate some market failures in information provision.
The Century-Long Capture of U.S. Media
Q: How did the Fairness Doctrine fit into this, and why did it ultimately become defunct?
The Doctrine was about ensuring broadcasters covered controversial issues fairly to maintain license legitimacy; it faced political and regulatory tides that led to its erosion, illustrating how public-interest commitments weakened as the system consolidated.
The Century-Long Capture of U.S. Media
Q: What do you think regulators could have done at the time to steer us away from the type of media consolidation that would follow?
Picard explains that at pivotal moments in history there were debates about public programming and set-asides, and that stronger, targeted regulation—like reserving airwaves for non-profit or public-interest content—might have curtailed the drift toward an overly commercial system.
The Man With a Plan to Reshape Broadcast TV
Q: What do you think Dana Suhr's end game is?
To redefine television to provide a more balanced coverage and restore public trust in media.
The Man With a Plan to Reshape Broadcast TV
Q: How do you view the FCC's actions and current state of media regulation?
Daniel Suhr argues that the government should address perceived media bias, advocating for more fairness and regulatory oversight on networks.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About On the Media

What is On the Media about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A sharp, context-driven analysis of how media shapes politics, public discourse, and democracy. Episodes frequently dissect how journalism operates, the regulatory landscape, and the social impact of digital platforms, often pairing reporting with historical parallels and policy context. Noteworthy is the consistent emphasis on media as a public good, with guests ranging from scholars and journalists to filmmakers, offering rigor without hot takes and a steady pull toward accountability and transparency. This show is especially helpful for listeners who want deeper understanding of how media power, policy decisions, and cultural narratives interact in current events.

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Which podcasts are similar to On the Media?

These podcasts share a similar audience with On the Media:

1. The New Yorker Radio Hour
2. Radiolab
3. Fresh Air
4. Throughline
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of On the Media are there?

On the Media launched 21 years ago and published 1861 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact On the Media?

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What guests have appeared on On the Media?

Recent guests on On the Media include:

1. Wes J. Bryant
2. David Gilbert
3. Alan Rozenshtein
4. Siva Vaidhyanathan
5. David Osit
6. Victor Pickard
7. Victor Picard
8. Jim Rutenberg

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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