US election: How much are podcasts affecting the Harris-Trump race?
Briefly

Nic Newman points out that politics has shifted over the last decade, revealing a trend where candidates prefer informal settings like podcasts over more traditional interviews. He states, "Over the last ten years, we've seen a worldwide shift, where politicians have gone from being prepared to be interrogated and asked really difficult questions to much more informal ways of accessing audiences." This highlights how candidates are adapting their strategies to connect with voters in a more relaxed environment.
Newman elaborates on the psychology behind politicians' preferences for podcast appearances, noting that there is an inherent comfort in being invited. He mentions, "There's a kind of ego thing if you're invited onto a podcast, it's a comfort. For politicians, it's less risky because it's a much more friendly chat." This suggests that the informal nature of podcasts provides a safer platform for candidates to share their messages without facing tough scrutiny.
Commenting on the limitations of podcast interviews, Newman acknowledges that while hosts might ask important questions, the pushback from them tends to be subdued. He underscores this by saying, "While legacy media can't afford to rely on a journalist's charisma or charm for a presidential interview, many podcast hosts take pride in pursuing a casual interview approach. They may be brave enough to ask candidates some of the big questions, but when it comes to pushback, it is often limited." This raises concerns about the accountability of candidates during such interviews.
Read at euronews
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