TALKERS – Page 5 – TALKERS magazine

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (June 16 – 20, 2025)

By TALKERS | June 20, 2025 by TALKERS

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (6/16-20) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

1. Israel-Iran Conflict / Trump Mulls Involvement
2. MAGA “Civil War”
3. ICE Raids / Protests & Arrests
4. Russia-Ukraine War
5. Hortman Assassination / Lawmakers Safety Concerns
6. SCOTUS Transgender Ruling
7. Big, Beautiful Bill / Fed Holds on Interest Rates
8. DC Military Parade
9. Tariffs / China Trade Negotiations
10.Hurricane Erick

People

1. Donald Trump
2. Benjamin Netanyahu / Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
3. Pete Hegseth / Tulsi Gabbard
4. Vladimir Putin
5. Tucker Carlson / Steven K. Bannon
6. Brad Lander / Alex Padilla
7. Kristi Noem
8. Vance Boelter / Melissa Hortman
9. Jerome Powell
10.Barack Obama

To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (6/18)

By TALKERS | June 19, 2025 by TALKERS

The most discussed stories yesterday (6/18) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Israel-Iran Strikes / U.S. Mulls Involvement
2. ICE Raids / Student Visa Process
3. SCOTUS Transgender Ruling
4. Lawmaker Safety Concerns
5. Hurricane Erick

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (6/17)

By TALKERS | June 18, 2025 by TALKERS

The most discussed stories yesterday (6/17) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Israel-Iran Strikes / U.S. Weighs Military Action
2. Russia-Ukraine War
3. ICE Raids-Protests / NY Comptroller Arrested
4. Big, Beautiful Bill
5. Hortman Assassination

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (6/16)

By TALKERS | June 17, 2025 by TALKERS

The most discussed stories yesterday (6/16) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Trump at G7
2. Israel-Iran Strikes
3. Hortman Assassination
4. Russia-Ukraine War
5. ICE Protests

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend (6/14-15)

By TALKERS | June 16, 2025 by TALKERS

The most discussed stories over the weekend on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Minnesota Lawmaker Assassinated
2. DC Military Parade
3. Israel-Iran Strikes
4. ICE Protests / “No Kings Day”
5. Big, Beautiful Bill

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (June 9 – 13, 2025)

By TALKERS | June 13, 2025 by TALKERS

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (6/9-6/13) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

1. LA Protests / Trump Calls in Military
2. Big, Beautiful Bill / Trump Musk Feud
3. U.S.-Iran Tensions / Middle East Diplomats Recalled
4. U.S.-China Trade Negotiations / Tariffs
5. Saturday’s Military Parade
6. Russia-Ukraine War
7. FEMA Phaseout / RFK Jr Fires CDC Vaccine Panel
8. Israel-Gaza Unrest / Greta Thunberg Deported
9. Brian Wilson Dies
10.Air India Crash

People

1. Donald Trump
2. Gavin Newsom / Karen Bass
3. Elon Musk
4. Mike Johnson
5. Benjamin Netanyahu / Greta Thunberg
6. Howard Lutnick
7. Xi Jinping
8. Vladimir Putin
9. RFK Jr.
10.Brian Wilson

To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (6/11)

By TALKERS | June 12, 2025 by TALKERS

The most discussed stories yesterday (6/11) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. LA Protests / Trump’s Use of Military
2. U.S.-Iran Tensions / Middle East Diplomats Recalled
3. U.S.-China Trade Negotiations / Tariffs
4. Saturday’s Military Parade
5. Brian Wilson Dies

Neutraliars: The Platforms That Edit Like Publishers but Hide Behind Neutrality

By TALKERS | June 11, 2025 by TALKERS

By Matthew B. Harrison
TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer

In the golden age of broadcasting, the rules were clear. If you edited the message, you owned the consequences. That was the tradeoff for editorial control. But today’s digital platforms – YouTube, X, TikTok, Instagram – have rewritten that deal. Broadcasters and those who operate within the FCC regulatory framework are paying the price.

These companies claim to be neutral conduits for our content. But behind the curtain, they make choices that mirror the editorial judgment of any news director: flagging clips, muting interviews, throttling reach, and shadow banning accounts. All while insisting they bear no responsibility for the content they carry.

They want the control of publishers without the accountability. I call them neutraliars.

A “neutraliar” is a platform that claims neutrality while quietly shaping public discourse. It edits without transparency, enforces vague rules inconsistently, and hides bias behind shifting community standards.

Broadcasters understand the weight of editorial power. Reputation, liability, and trust come with every decision. But platforms operate under a different set of rules. They remove content for “context violations,” downgrade interviews for being “borderline,” and rarely offer explanations. No appeals. No accountability.

This isn’t just technical policy – it’s a legal strategy. Under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, platforms enjoy broad immunity from liability related to user content. What was originally intended to allow moderation of obscene or unlawful material has become a catch-all defense for everything short of outright defamation or criminal conduct.

These companies act like editors when it suits them, curating and prioritizing content. But when challenged, they retreat behind the label of “neutral platform.” Courts, regulators, and lawmakers have mostly let it slide.

But broadcasters shouldn’t.

Neutraliars are distorting the public square. Not through overt censorship, but through asymmetry. Traditional broadcasters play by clear rules – standards of fairness, disclosure, and attribution. Meanwhile, tech platforms make unseen decisions that influence whether a segment is heard, seen, or quietly buried.

So, what’s the practical takeaway?

Don’t confuse distribution with trust.

Just because a platform carries your content doesn’t mean it supports your voice. Every upload is subject to algorithms, undisclosed enforcement criteria, and decisions made by people you’ll never meet. The clip you expected to go viral. Silenced. The balanced debate you aired. Removed for tone. The satire? Flagged for potential harm.

The smarter approach is to diversify your presence. Own your archive. Use direct communication tools – e-mail lists, podcast feeds, and websites you control. Syndicate broadly but never rely solely on one platform. Monitor takedowns and unexplained drops in engagement. These signals matter.

Platforms will continue to call themselves neutral as long as it protects their business model. But we know better. If a company edits content like a publisher and silences creators like a censor, it should be treated like both.

And when you get the inevitable takedown notice wrapped in vague policy language and polished PR spin, keep one word in mind.

Neutraliars.

Matthew B. Harrison is a media and intellectual property attorney who advises radio hosts, content creators, and creative entrepreneurs. He has written extensively on fair use, AI law, and the future of digital rights. Reach him at HarrisonMediaLaw.com or read more at TALKERS.com.

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (6/10)

By TALKERS | June 11, 2025 by TALKERS

The most discussed stories yesterday (6/10) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. LA Protests / Trump vs Newsom
2. Big, Beautiful Bill / Musk Apologizes
3. U.S.-China Trade Talks
4. FEMA Phaseout
5. Russia-Ukraine War

Is That Even Legal? Talk Radio in the Age of Deepfake Voices: Where Fair Use Ends and the Law Steps In

By TALKERS | June 10, 2025 by TALKERS

By Matthew B. Harrison
TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer

In early 2024, voters in New Hampshire got strange robocalls. The voice sounded just like President Joe Biden, telling people not to vote in the primary. But it wasn’t him. It was an AI clone of his voice – sent out to confuse voters.

The calls were meant to mislead, not entertain. The response was quick. The FCC banned AI robocalls. State officials launched investigations. Still, a big question remains for radio and podcast creators:

Is using an AI cloned voice of a real person ever legal?

This question hits hard for talk radio, where satire, parody, and political commentary are daily staples. And the line between creative expression and illegal impersonation is starting to blur.

It’s already happening online. AI-generated clips of Howard Stern have popped up on TikTok and Reddit, making him say things he never actually said. They’re not airing on the radio yet – but they could be soon.

Then came a major moment. In 2024, a group called Dudesy released a fake comedy special called, “I’m Glad I’m Dead,” using AI to copy the voice and style of the late George Carlin. The hour-long show sounded uncannily like Carlin, and the creators claimed it was a tribute. His daughter, Kelly Carlin, strongly disagreed. The Carlin estate sued, calling it theft, not parody. That lawsuit could shape how courts treat voice cloning for years.

The danger isn’t just legal – it’s reputational. A cloned voice can be used to create fake outrage, fake interviews, or fake endorsements. Even if meant as satire, if it’s too realistic, it can do real damage.

So, what does fair use actually protect? It covers commentary, criticism, parody, education, and news. But a voice isn’t just creative work – it’s part of someone’s identity. That’s where the right of publicity comes in. It protects how your name, image, and voice are used, especially in commercial settings.

If a fake voice confuses listeners, suggests false approval, or harms someone’s brand, fair use probably won’t apply. And if it doesn’t clearly comment on the real person, it’s not parody – it’s just impersonation.

For talk show hosts and podcasters, here’s the bottom line: use caution. If you’re using AI voices, make it obvious they’re fake. Add labels. Give context. And best of all, avoid cloning real people unless you have their OK.

Fair use is a shield – but it’s not a free pass. When content feels deceptive, the law – and your audience – may not be forgiving.

Matthew B. Harrison is a media and intellectual property attorney who advises radio hosts, content creators, and creative entrepreneurs. He has written extensively on fair use, AI law, and the future of digital rights. Reach him at Harrison Legal Group or read more at TALKERS.com.

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (6/9)

By TALKERS | June 10, 2025 by TALKERS

The most discussed stories yesterday (6/9) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Trump Orders National Guard and Marines to LA Protests
2. RFK Jr Fires CDC Vaccine Panel
3. U.S.-China Trade Talks
4. Israel Deports Greta Thunberg
5. Russia-Ukraine War

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend (6/7-8)

By TALKERS | June 9, 2025 by TALKERS

The most discussed stories over the weekend on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. LA ICE Protests-National Guard Callup
2. Abrego Garcia Returned to U.S.
3. Gaza Aid Ship Intercepted
4. U.S.-China Trade Negotiations
5. ABC Suspends Terry Moran

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (June 2 – 6, 2025)

By TALKERS | June 6, 2025 by TALKERS

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (6/2-6/6) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

1. Trump-Musk War
2. Big, Beautiful Bill / National Debt / Debt Ceiling
3. Medicaid Cuts
4. Trump vs Harvard & Columbia
5. ICE Raids / Deportations
6. Trump Doubles Steel & Aluminum Tariffs / U.S.-China Trade War
7. Colorado Fire Attack
8. Biden Health Coverup / Biden Actions Investigation
9. Ukraine Drone Strikes on Russia / Deadly Gaza Violence
10.Travel Ban / Iran Nukes

People

1. Donald Trump
2. Elon Musk
3. Mike Johnson
4. Rand Paul / Mike Lee
5. Linda McMahon
6. Xi Jinping
7. Volodymyr Zelensky
8. Joe Biden
9. Mohamed Soliman
10.Benjamin Netanyahu

To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (6/4)

By TALKERS | June 5, 2025 by TALKERS

The most discussed stories yesterday (6/4) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Debt Ceiling Debate
2. Trump Issues Travel Ban
3. Big, Beautiful Bill / National Debt
4. Biden Actions Investigation
5. Trump vs Harvard and Columbia

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (6/3)

By TALKERS | June 4, 2025 by TALKERS

The most discussed stories yesterday (6/3) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Big, Beautiful Bill / Musk Criticism
2. Trump Doubles Steel & Aluminum Tariffs / U.S.-China Trade War
3. Hegseth to Rename USNS Harvey Milk
4. ICE Raids / Deportations
5. Emergency Abortion Policy

Mark Walters v. OpenAI: A Landmark Case for Spoken Word Media

By TALKERS | June 3, 2025June 3, 2025 by TALKERS

By Matthew B. Harrison
TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer

When Georgia-based nationally syndicated radio personality, and Second Amendment advocate Mark Walters (longtime host of “Armed American Radio”) learned that ChatGPT had falsely claimed he was involved in a criminal embezzlement scheme, he did what few in the media world have dared to do. Walters stood up when others were silent, and took on an incredibly powerful tech company, one of the biggest in the world, in a court of law.

Taking the Fight to Big Tech

Walters, by filing suit against OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, become the first person in the United States to test the boundaries of defamation law in the age of generative artificial intelligence.

His case was not simply about clearing his name. It was about drawing a line. Can artificial intelligence generate and distribute false and damaging information about a real person without any legal accountability?

While the court ultimately ruled in OpenAI’s favor on specific legal procedure concerns, the impact of this case is far from finished. Walters’ lawsuit broke new ground in several important ways:

— It was the first known defamation lawsuit filed against an AI developer based on content generated by an AI system.
— It brought into the open critical questions about responsibility, accuracy, and liability when AI systems are used to produce statements that sound human but carry no editorial oversight.
— It continued to add fuel to the conversation of the effectiveness of “use at your own risk” disclaimers when there is real world reputational damage hanging in the balance.

Implications for the Radio and Podcasting Community

For those spoken-word creators, regardless of platform on terrestrial, satellite, or the open internet, this case is a wake-up call, your canary in a coal mine. Many shows rely on AI tools for research, summaries, voice generation, or even show scripts. But what happens when those tools get it wrong? (Other than being embarrassed, and in some cases fined or terminated) And worse, what happens when those errors affect real people?

The legal system, as has been often written about, is still playing catch-up. Although the court ruled that the fabricated ChatGPT statement lacked the necessary elements of defamation under Georgia law, including provable harm and demonstrable fault, the decision highlighted how unprepared current frameworks are for this fast-moving, voice-driven digital landscape.

Where the Industry Goes from Here

Walters’ experience points to the urgent need for new protection and clearer guidelines:

— Creators deserve assurance that the tools they use are built with accountability in mind. This would extend to copyright infringement and to defamation.
— Developers must be more transparent about how their systems operate and the risks they create. This would identify bias and attempt to counteract it.
— Policymakers need to bring clarity to who bears responsibility when software, not a person, becomes the speaker.

A Case That Signals a Larger Reckoning

Mark Walters may not have won this round in court, but his decision to take on a tech giant helped illuminate how quickly generative AI can create legal, ethical, and reputational risks for anyone with a public presence. For those of us working in media, especially in formats built on trust, voice, and credibility, his case should not be ignored.

“This wasn’t about money. This was about the truth,” Walters tells TALKERS. “If we don’t draw a line now, there may not be one left to draw.”

To listen to a longform interview with Mark Walters conducted by TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison, please click here

Media attorney, Matthew B. Harrison is VP/Associate Publisher at TALKERS; Senior Partner at Harrison Media Law; and Executive Producer at Goodphone Communications. He is available for private consultation and media industry contract representation. He can be reached by phone at 724-484-3529 or email at matthew@harrisonmedialaw.com. He teaches “Legal Issues in Digital Media” and serves as a regular contributor to industry discussions on fair use, AI, and free expression.

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (6/2)

By TALKERS | June 3, 2025 by TALKERS

The most discussed stories yesterday (6/2) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Big, Beautiful Bill / National Debt
2. ICE Arrests / Student Visas Policy
3. Ukraine Drone Strikes on Russia
4. Colorado Fire Attack
5. Deadly Gaza Violence

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend (5/31-6/1)

By TALKERS | June 2, 2025June 2, 2025 by TALKERS

The most discussed stories over the weekend on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Trump Tariffs Ruling
2. Big, Beautiful Bill
3. Ukrainian Drone Attack on Russia
4. Colorado Flamethrower Attack
5. ICE Arrests / Student Visas Policy

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (May 26 – 30, 2025)

By TALKERS | May 30, 2025 by TALKERS

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (5/26-30) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

1. Big, Beautiful Bill / National Debt
2. Trump Tariffs Rulings
3. Trump vs Harvard / Chinese Student Visas Policy
4. Musk to Leave DOGE
5. Israel-Gaza War / Iran Nuclear Talks
6. Russia-Ukraine War / Trump-Putin Tensions
7. FBI-ICE Arrests
8. Golden Dome Defense System
9. Pardons & Commutations
10.Diddy Trial

People

1. Donald Trump
2. Mike Johnson
3. Alan Garber
4. Elon Musk
5. Benjamin Netanyahu
6. Vladimir Putin
7. Xi Jinping
8. Jake Tapper
9. Todd & Julie Chrisley
10.Sean “Diddy” Combs

To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (5/28)

By TALKERS | May 29, 2025 by TALKERS

The most discussed stories yesterday (5/28) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Judges Block Trump Tariffs
2. Musk to Leave DOGE
3. Chinese Student Visas Scrutinized
4. Trump Pardons & Commutations
5. Israel-Gaza War / Iran Nuclear Talks

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (5/27)

By TALKERS | May 28, 2025 by TALKERS

The most discussed stories yesterday (5/27) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Trump vs Harvard
2. Big, Beautiful Bill / National Debt
3. Trump Pardons Chrisleys
4. New Student Visa Policies
5. Russia-Ukraine War / Trump-Putin Tensions

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Holiday Weekend (5/24-26)

By TALKERS | May 27, 2025 by TALKERS

The most discussed stories over the weekend on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Trump’s Putin Criticism / Russia-Ukraine War
2. EU Tariff Pause
3. Big, Beautiful Bill
4. Memorial Day Holiday
5. Gaza Peace Plan

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (May 19 – 23, 2025)

By TALKERS | May 23, 2025May 23, 2025 by TALKERS

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (5/19-23) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

1. Big, Beautiful Bill / Medicaid-SNAP Cuts
2. The Economy / U.S. Bond Rating
3. Biden Health Coverup
4. Deadly Jewish Museum Attack
5. Golden Dome Defense System
6. Trump-Ramaphosa Meeting
7. Immigration / SCOTUS Venezuelan Gang Ruling
8. Tariffs / U.S.-China Trade War
9. Pentagon Accepts Qatar Jet
10.Andrew Cuomo Investigation / Jim Irsay Dies

People

1. Donald Trump
2. Mike Johnson
3. Scott Bessent
4. Joe Biden-Jake Tapper
5. Cyril Ramaphosa
6. Xi Jinping
7. Vladimir Putin
8. Elon Musk
9. Andrew Cuomo
10.Jim Irsay

To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (5/21)

By TALKERS | May 22, 2025May 22, 2025 by TALKERS

The most discussed stories yesterday (5/21) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Big, Beautiful Bill / Treasury Bonds Status
2. Trump-Ramaphosa Meeting
3. Deadly Jewish Museum Attack
4. Pentagon Accepts Qatar Jet
5. Golden Dome Defense System

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (5/20)

By TALKERS | May 21, 2025 by TALKERS

The most discussed stories yesterday (5/20) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Big, Beautiful Bill / Medicaid-SNAP Cuts
2. Golden Dome Defense System
3. Immigration / SCOTUS Venezuelan Gang Ruling
4. Biden Health Coverup
5. Andrew Cuomo Investigation

When the Algorithm Misses the Mark: What the Walters v. OpenAI Case Means for Talk Hosts

By TALKERS | May 20, 2025 by TALKERS

By Matthew B. Harrison
TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer

In a ruling that should catch the attention of every talk host and media creator dabbling in AI, a Georgia court has dismissed “Armed American Radio” syndicated host Mark Walters’ defamation lawsuit against OpenAI. The case revolved around a disturbing but increasingly common glitch: a chatbot “hallucinating” canonically false but believable information.

The Happenings: A journalist asked ChatGPT to summarize a real court case. Instead, the AI invented a fictional lawsuit accusing Walters of embezzling from the Second Amendment Foundation — a group with which he’s never been employed. The journalist spotted the error and never published inaccurate information. But the damage, at least emotionally and reputationally, was done. That untruth was out there, and Walters sued for defamation.

Last week, the court kicked the case. The court determined Walters was a public figure, and as such, Walters had to prove “actual malice” — that OpenAI knowingly or recklessly published falsehoods. He couldn’t but now it may be impossible.

The judge emphasized the basis that there was an assumption false information was never shared publicly. It stayed within a private conversation between the journalist and ChatGPT. No dissemination, no defamation.

But while OpenAI may have escaped liability, the ruling raises serious questions for the rest in the content creation space.

What This Means for Talk Hosts

Let’s be honest: AI tools like ChatGPT are already part of the media ecosystem. Hosts use them to summarize articles, brainstorm show topics, generate ad copy, and even suggest guest questions. They’re efficient — and also dangerous.

This case shows just how easily AI can generate falsehoods with confidence and detail. If a host were to read something like that hallucinated lawsuit on air, without verifying it, the legal risk would shift. It wouldn’t be the AI company on the hook — it would be the broadcaster who repeated it.

Key Lessons

AI is not a source.
It’s a starting point. Just like a tip from a caller or a line on social media, AI-generated content must be verified before use.
Public figures are more exposed.
The legal system gives less protection to people in the public eye — like talk hosts — and requires a higher burden of proof in defamation claims. That cuts both ways.
Disclosure helps.
OpenAI’s disclaimers about potential inaccuracies helped them in court. On air, disclosing when you use AI can offer similar protection — and builds trust with your audience.
Editorial judgment still rules.
No matter how fast or slick AI gets, it doesn’t replace a producer’s instincts or a host’s responsibility.

Bottom line: the lawsuit may be over, but the conversation is just beginning. The more we rely on machines to shape our words, the more we need to sharpen our filters. Because when AI gets it wrong, the real fallout hits the human behind the mic.

And for talk hosts, that means the stakes are personal. Your credibility, your syndication, your audience trust — none of it can be outsourced to an algorithm. AI might be a tool in the kit, but editorial judgment is still the sharpest weapon in your arsenal. Use it. Or risk learning the hard way what Mark Walters just did. Walters has yet to comment on what steps – if any – he and his lawyers will take next.

TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison issued the following comment regarding the Georgia ruling: “In the age of internet ‘influencers’ and media personalities with various degrees of clout operating within the same space, the definition of ‘public figure’ is far less clear than in earlier times. The media and courts must revisit this striking change. Also, in an era of self-serving political weaponization, this ruling opens the door to ‘big tech’ having enormous, unbridled power in influencing the circumstances of news events and reputations to meet its own goals and agendas.”

Matthew B. Harrison is a media attorney and executive producer specializing in broadcast law, intellectual property, and First Amendment issues. He serves as VP/Associate Publisher of TALKERS magazine and is a senior partner at Harrison Media Law. He also leads creative development at Goodphone Communications.

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (5/19)

By TALKERS | May 20, 2025 by TALKERS

The most discussed stories yesterday (5/19) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Trump & Putin’s Russia-Ukraine Call
2. Big, Beautiful Bill
3. Moody’s U.S. Rating / Financial Markets
4. SCOTUS Venezuelans Deportation Ruling
5. Biden Cancer Diagnosis

Monday Memo: Your Passion, Your Media Station

By TALKERS | May 19, 2025 by TALKERS

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison introduced the term in the 1990s, inviting us to think-beyond the real-time audio we were sending up those towers. What he described seemed conceptual, even futuristic, back then, when we were still logging-onto AOL via dial-up (screech).

The “Media Station” he reckoned we would be producing by now seemed more like a place than a show. It wouldn’t be bound by regulation or sponsor sensitivities or an on-air format. Content needn’t be 30- or 60-seconds or minutes. It won’t even have to be audio. Or governed by how long you can last between bathroom breaks or eating or sleeping, because it won’t be the real-time content that radio was confined to then.

Back to the future. Among headlines from 2025 Edison Research “Infinite Dial” research:

— 248 million Americans are on social media.
— 91% (262 million) own a smartphone.
— 101 million own a smart speaker.
— 40% of vehicles now on the road have phone integration.
— Though AM/FM is still the #1 in-car audio, #2 is online audio, #3: podcasts.
— 210 million listen to online audio every week.
— “Podcast consumption is at an all-time high.” 55% of Americans listen each month.

Anyone anywhere can publish something that is available to everyone everywhere.

Most who read this are probably content creators, many working full or part-time at radio stations, doing the station’s business. Using that same skill set, build your own, a Media Station. Most of the tools are free, including ChatGPT, which will even help you plan it.

What’s your area of expertise?? Your hobby? Your passion? Your media station could include:

— Podcasts
— Blog, inviting participation
— Tutorial videos about a craft or skill
— Tips-N-Tricks about ____
— Checklists/worksheets/recipes/other documents, as PDF downloads
— Stories about businesses or artists, traditions or customs, history, science, tech
— DIY projects, of any sort
— Makeover transformations
— Fitness routines and workout tips
— Money topics
— Food topics of all sorts, including restaurant reviews
— Relationship topics
— Travel
— Product reviews/recommendations
— Sports
— Amazon Associate links to earn commission on related products
— Whatever!

NOT saying: Build a media station so it becomes your livelihood after the next round of cutbacks. But, hey…

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend (5/17-18)

By TALKERS | May 19, 2025 by TALKERS

The most discussed stories over the weekend on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Trump’s Big, Beautiful Bill/Moody’s Downgrades U.S. Credit Rating
2. Trump-Putin Conversation
3. Springsteen-Trump Spat
4. Mexican Ship Hits Brooklyn Bridge
5. Biden’s Cancer Diagnosis

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (May 12 – 16, 2025)

By TALKERS | May 16, 2025 by TALKERS

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (5/12-16) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

1. Trump’s Middle East Trip
2. Big, Beautiful Bill / Medicaid Cuts
3. Birthright Citizenship Case / Universal Injunctions
4. Alien Enemies Act / Deportations / WI Judge Case
5. Tariffs / U.S.-China Trade War
6. Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks
7. Tapper & Thompson’s Biden Book
8. Air Traffic Control Troubles
9. Diddy Trial
10.Menendez Brothers Case

People

1. Donald Trump
2. Mike Johnson
3. Clarence Thomas / Brett Kavanaugh / Amy Coney Barrett
4. Hannah Dugan
5. Xi Jinping
6. Volodymyr Zelensky / Vladimir Putin
7. Joe Biden / David Plouffe
8. Sean Duffy
9. Sean “Diddy” Combs / Cassie Ventura
10.Erik and Lyle Menendez

To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (5/14)

By TALKERS | May 15, 2025 by TALKERS

The most discussed stories yesterday (5/14) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Trump’s Middle East Trip
2. Big, Beautiful Bill
3. Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks
4. SCOTUS Birthright Citizenship Case
5. Immigration / Deportations

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (5/13)

By TALKERS | May 14, 2025May 14, 2025 by TALKERS

The most discussed stories yesterday (5/13) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Trump’s Middle East Trip / Airplane Controversy
2. Immigration-Deportation Policy Lawsuits
3. Medicaid Cuts Debate
4. New Biden-Slamming Book
5. Diddy Trial