Media Money Mess

Why job fear prevents so many journalists from fighting the good fight

Happy New Year, and welcome to the first episode of 2025! If you’re facing freezing weather, here’s to staying warm while listening to a podcast. ;)

It starts with a topic I’ve been wanting to get to since I launched the show: how big money stops the media from doing better.

Subscribe on the podcast platforms here.

I focus in on two figures in recent news: $15 million and $30 million. The first is a settlement payoff from a major news organization to Trump, but there’s a big story about it that has not been told. The second is the latest windfall for an individual who runs a company that owns a news powerhouse — the big boss.

Both provide strong reminders of why journalists, all too often, are paralyzed by fear for their jobs, and too afraid to stand up for fact checking.

Also today, how two recent events showed confusion over what is and is not called “terrorism.” While news agencies were quick to point fingers at the government, they’re refusing to address a mess of their own making. I have data and links for you about that, which will come in the next newsletter. So be sure to subscribe.

Plus, I announce the winners -- er, losers -- of the Media Fail Awards! Listen to find out which news agencies got the most votes for worst of the year.

Let’s meet up in person! I have events coming up:

Atlanta, join me and two other fantastic speakers for this event Feb. 6 about fighting antisemitism. It’s for everyone — especially non-Jewish people — who want to know what really works. I’ll focus on media disinformation and answer questions.

And Albany, New York, join me on Feb. 23 for this event:

joshlevs

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Share this information with anyone you know in either area! To book more events, reach out via my website, joshlevs.com. Just click “bookings.”

As I explain in this episode, I encourage you to take a minute to consider where you’re currently paying for content. If it includes news organizations that are failing, consider stopping. Money talks. The people in power, trading in massive sums of money, need to know that journalistic failures hurt the bottom line.

And consider becoming a paid subscriber here instead. Among other things, I show paid subscribers how to access just about any news content for free, legally.

Thank you for being a part of They Stand Corrected! Here’s to fighting the good fight together in 2025.

JL