There is a golden age of political podcasts here in Connecticut.
Podcasts have proven to be quite popular with my generation. A study by the Pew Research Center last year found that 67% of people ages 18 to 29 listened to podcasts in the past year, while nearly half of that age group listen to podcasts at least a few times a week. . It is a stark contrast to traditional media such as television or radio, where young people lag behind their older peers.
Mateo Biadun
This is an important disparity when we talk about politics. Young people need to stay informed about current events just as much (if not more) than older people. Should young people also read newspapers? Absolutely. But the fact is that my generation has been reluctant to do so and much more supportive of new digital media like podcasts.
It’s great news, then, that political podcasts are flourishing in our state.
Now there are so many to choose from that it’s hard to list them all. One of the biggest is “The Wheelhouse,” a live podcast run by Connecticut Public Radio. It’s hosted by Frankie Graziano, but features guest speakers in each episode, there to produce dialogue and answer questions about the biggest political issues facing Connecticut. Connecticut Public also produced ‘In Absentia,’ a terrific four-part series on Bridgeport’s history of political scandals that I can’t recommend enough. Honestly, it’s something you need to hear.
Connecticut Mirror, a nonprofit journalism organization, has long since adapted to the digital world. It has been available only online since its founding in 2010. They have also started podcasts to help inform the public. “Long Story Short” is co-directed by CT Mirror and WSHU, and Mirror articles are summarized into quick ten-minute conversations for the listener’s convenience. “Steady Habits” recaps the biggest events happening in Connecticut and, most recently, has been the place to find the “In The Room” interview series, where John Dankosky sits down and asks the biggest questions of the biggest politicians of Connecticut.
These podcasts are almost fair and unbiased, with the caveat that no one is perfect. But for those interested, there are also more ideological podcasts. “The Young Dems Table” and “Connecticrats” cater to the left, while “Y CT Matters” and “The Right Direction” cater to the right. There is something for almost everyone to enjoy.
These podcasts are essential for young people. It provides them with the same level of quality information as traditional journalism, while catering to their digital preferences. However, they’re not just for young people either! A whole range of people benefit from podcasts.
Take for example people who are stuck at work. It is not convenient, or perhaps not permitted, to carry the daily edition of the Hartford Courant around the factory. However, it is much more convenient to have a headset in your ear and listen to a podcast. Podcasts can also be listened to while traveling, just like the radio. Unlike radio, they can be paused and resumed whenever convenient.
An important advantage of all this is that the podcasts are 100% free. Free! There may be an annoying ad break here or there, but they’re still absolutely free for anyone to access. Interested listeners can try a new podcast whenever they like. They can continue listening if they like it, or stop listening if they don’t, at no cost to them, which is a big advantage for poorer people who may not be able to afford, say, a newspaper subscription.
Do traditional media still have value? Absolutely. I am a strong supporter of newspapers and encourage everyone who can read them to do so. However, I also see the realities of our world. Some people don’t trust newspapers or think they are too formal. Some people can’t afford them and others just don’t like reading them.
Podcasts fill a valuable gap in Connecticut’s political space by giving people, especially young people, a free, convenient, and easily accessible way to stay informed about what’s happening in our state.
Keynote USA
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