The Rise of Independent Journalism | Jake Hanrahan

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“Everybody is just going like, hang on, I’m sick of this, I’m sick of being told what to think, I’m sick of having a fucking political spin on everything.”
— Jake Hanrahan

SHOW DESCRIPTION

Location: Bedford, UK
Date: Monday 7th October, 2019
Company: Popular Front
Role: Journalist and filmmaker

The internet has transformed traditional media with newsgroups becoming reliant on advertising as readers are reluctant to pay for news online.

The advertising model has led to the rise of clickbait news organisations such as Buzzfeed, with content and headlines designed for sharing and reach. Some argue that this has led to an increase in fake news, something Andreas M. Antonopoulos explained in his talk Fake News, Fake Money talk.

The algorithms used by social media companies are also under scrutiny, with people questioning how much power do platforms such as Facebook have in shaping opinion? Can these algorithms drive a specific political agenda? Can a malicious actor weaponise these platforms and create and target news to manipulate opinion?

A perfect storm of bloated unprofitable news organisations and an increase in distrust of mainstream news is leading to a rise in independent journalism. Anyone with a phone can now record a podcast, make a video and build a following on social media, with people like Joe Rogan now able to draw in viewer numbers higher than prime time TV shows. 

These independent journalists are free from the constraints of mainstream media and able to deliver authentic news with a higher level of trust. In this interview, I talk with Jake Hanrahan, a journalist, filmmaker and the founder of Popular Front. I find out why Jakes believes that increasing subjectivity in mainstream media is leading to the rise of independent journalism.

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TIMESTAMPS

  • 00:00:00 - Intro

  • 00:01:39 - Welcoming Jake to the show

  • 00:02:05 - Jake’s background - Vice News and independent Journalism

  • 00:05:03 - Joe Rogan taking independent journalism mainstream

  • 00:09:52 - Mainstream media’s left/right divide

  • 00:16:12 - Mike Cernovich and divisive guests

  • 00:17:12 - Brexit and UK politics

  • 00:20:51 - Using Twitter as a research tool

  • 00:22:28 - Hong Kong protests

  • 00:23:54 - Gun laws

  • 00:28:29 - The Extinction Rebellion

  • 00:33:49 - Climate change

  • 00:38:01 - Time away from technology

  • 00:41:59 - Becoming desensitised to acts of violence

  • 00:47:51 - The underreported protests in Iraq

  • 00:50:00 - Creating media content on a budget

  • 00:54:18 - The UK selling weapons to Saudi Arabia

  • 00:57:41 - What is happening that people aren’t aware of

  • 00:59:46 - Jake’s favourite parts of Popular Front

  • 01:01:51 - Scaling a business

  • 01:08:50 - Jeffrey Epstein

  • 01:11:04 - Censorship

SHOW NOTES

Connect with Jake:

Connect with Popular Front

Jake’s work:

Mentioned in the show:

People mentioned in the show:

Media references:

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