<
https://theconversation.com/podcasts-have-helped-sway-many-young-american-men-to-the-right-the-same-may-well-happen-in-australia-248135>
"The 2024 US presidential election saw a historic shift to the right, driven by
the largest swing of young male voters in two decades. Analysts attribute this
partly to podcasters like Joe Rogan, whose unfiltered, conversational content
bypassed traditional media to mobilise this demographic.
Our own research shows that Donald Trump’s podcast strategy during the election
campaign boosted his support by 1% to 2.6%, with more than half of this linked
to Rogan’s platform. In contrast, Kamala Harris’s reliance on traditional,
curated media lacked the authenticity that resonated with Trump’s base.
This trend has clear parallels in Australia, where media strategy has long
mirrored the US. In 1949, Robert Menzies used radio to reassure the public,
much like Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “fireside chats”. In the 1980s, television
brought Bob Hawke into voters’ homes, showcasing charisma akin that of John F.
Kennedy in his earlier televised debates. Kevin Rudd’s 2007 “Kevin 07” campaign
effectively mirrored Barack Obama’s use of social media to engage younger
voters. Similarly, Scott Morrison’s 2019 campaign emulated Trump-style
microtargeting on Facebook to connect with specific demographics.
Today, podcasts have become the latest battleground for political influence.
Their conversational, long-form format enables politicians to address complex
issues in a direct, personal manner. This medium resonates particularly with
younger voters, who are increasingly turning away from traditional media.
The 2025 federal election will likely see a turning point in the influence of
podcasts on election campaigns, and even the outcome."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
