Thousands of media personnel frequently impact the daily lives of Americans. At an ever-increasing rate, media permeate civilizations and saturate people with information. The delivery methods for audio news in the United States are divided into two categories: conventional satellite radio and digital media, including web audio and podcasting. While terrestrial radio still has a sizable following in the United States, online media and podcasts have recently increased in popularity. This paper will use media theory to compare Randi Rhodes, Ben Shapiro, and the NPR podcasts.
Randi Rhodes’s podcast is based on the agenda-setting media theory. In the podcast, one can determine how critical specific issues are to the public. For example, from Randi Rhodes’s podcast, most of her talks have open agendas. In one video, Randi expresses the effects of poor leadership in Europe. She says, “how does Putin expect to win when the dissidents, the people that are against what he’s doing are the ones that he’s recruiting, he can’t” (Friday Free Full Show, 4:50). This statement shows her main agenda is Putin’s leadership skill cannot help him win. This show’s schedule runs every weekday for two hours, from 3 pm to 5 pm in the United States, and Randy is the host. Randy Rhodes’s podcast website uses the homework section to list the sources they use on its shows. The homework section is significant since it is the concrete foundation for recording raw data (“Randi Rhodes”). The homework part is often saved from being used as proof when the audience needs to confirm the accuracy of the information presented. The source list is credible since it aligns with the things talked about in the channel.
In his podcast, Ben Shapiro applies framing theory, where he broadens the scope of the talk by concentrating on the core of the current problems instead of on a specific topic. An example is a program posted on Ben’s YouTube channel on August 29, 2022 (Why Are Republicans Losing 2022 Election Momentum, 20:23). The main topic is why the Republicans are losing election momentum. Still, he goes further and talks about the financial woes of the horizon, the updates on the Mar-a-Lago raid, and Lizzo’s physique and performance. Ben quickly shifts from the topic of Republicans losing and says, “so again the idea that all women are victimized it’s just so terrible, and the same thing from Lizzo.” Despite having a central plan, this shows that Ben still has some other topics for his podcast. Ben Shapiro’s podcast is scheduled Monday to Friday from 9 pm to 10 pm, and Ben is the show host. There is no source list on Ben Shapiro’s podcast website. (“The Ben Shapiro Show / Westwood One”). Therefore, one might not be assured of the relevance and incredibility of the show’s sources.
NPR podcast is based on the social learning theory. Millions of Americans tune in to NPR programs daily to learn about current events and concepts. In most NPR podcasts, people emulate others’ actions, opinions, and emotional responses by paying attention to what they do. An example is the House committee’s ninth and last scheduled sitting looking into the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, which was posted on YouTube on September 27, 2022. In this show, the presenter listens to the congressional correspondent and says, “We’ve learned what was happening outside of the public eye, what Trump knew and said and what he did” (Final January 6 Hearing Is Coming, 5:02). This statement shows that reviewed the information from the committee’s initial eight hearings and takes inspiration from it. The host of the NPR political talk is Tamara Keith, and it is scheduled every weekday from 8 pm. The NPR podcast website includes a newsletter that lists the sources used in their programs (“NPR: Politics Newsletter”). Their origins are relevant and credible since they match the information broadcasted.
Randi Rhodes’s podcast is a podcast that expresses news and issues progressive opinions. The format has gained significant traction in new media platforms like streaming and Internet radio. Contrary, Ben Shapiro’s show has a talk format that expresses conservative opinions on topics within the United States and other countries. Liberal talk show hosts are often included in the concept of this type of podcast because it is usually broad enough. Since the fairness doctrine was abolished in 1987, the format has dominated radio shows in the United States. On the other hand, NPR media depends on public service in their broadcasting. For instance, NPR has a donate tab on its website, unlike the Randy Rhodes and Ben Shapiro podcasts. NPR is financed through various channels, such as licensing fees, private donations, public money, and commercial sponsorship.
Radio has significantly impacted the political climate in the United States over the years. Government officials used radio in the past to communicate with the public. Any individual can now air views on politics and other aspects through radio talks. Although the above-discussed podcasts differ in being either conservative, progressive or publicly supported talk shows, they all have a common purpose: informing people.
Works Cited
“NPR: Politics Newsletter.” NPR.Org, 2022, Web.
“Randi Rhodes.” Randi Rhodes, 2022, Web.
“The Ben Shapiro Show / Westwood One.” Westwood One, 2022, Web.
“Final January 6 Hearing Is Coming — Here’s Everything We’ve Learned | NPR Politics” YouTube, uploaded by NPR Daily News, 2022, Web.
“Friday Free Full Show 9-23-22” YouTube, uploaded by Rhodes, Web.
“Why Are Republicans Losing 2022 Election Momentum? | Ep. 1563” YouTube, uploaded by Shapiro, Web.