News Consolidation is Bad for Audiences

News Consolidation is Bad for Audiences

From Unspun by Amanda Sturgill

May 19, 2026 · 25 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the impact of media consolidation on public knowledge and local journalism's role in society.

This week is Stephen Colbert’s final on CBS, and it's part of a larger story behind modern media: consolidation. When a few companies own more of the places you get information, it affects how much corruption there is, how much you know about yourself and your neighbors and the fabric of society itself. So much of the information we get now feels overwhelming but strangely thin. You'll learn why, as well as how local journalism was never just content. It was civic infrastructure. Today's Front Pages Gallery mentioned in the episode. Check out Dr. Sturg's book that teaches you how to tell when newsmakers are trying to deceive you. Follow Dr. Sturg on Bluesky. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

People in this episode

Hosts: Dr. Sturg, Amanda Sturgill

Topics covered

  • media consolidation
  • local journalism
  • information overload
  • civic infrastructure
  • corruption
  • self-awareness

Keywords

  • media ownership
  • news consumption
  • local news
  • journalism
  • information
  • society
  • deception

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: CBS, Bluesky

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