The Turn to Podcasts as a Mass Campaign Medium Special Issue of The Journal of Radio and Audio Media

U.S. President Donald Trump’s appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience had over 50 million views on YouTube. His appearance on the most popular podcast in the world capped off a campaign that was part of the “podcast election” where both candidates reached voters through podcasts. With this amount of reach, it’s clear that some high-profile podcasts have reached the status of a mass medium (

Infotainers, Mediators, or Watchdogs? Mapping the Field of News Podcasters and Their Role Conceptions in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland

News podcasters, predominantly male, middle-aged, and academically educated without journalistic experience, shape mass media discourse, a study across Austria, Germany, and Switzerland reveals. They emphasize education, information, and entertainment, aligning closely with their audiences’ preferences. Meanwhile, monetization strategies remain underutilized. This research illuminates news podcasters’ unique roles and values in the evolving media landscape.