What media consolidation means for free speech

What media consolidation means for free speech

  • By
  • Episode
      664
  • Published
      Sep 29, 2025
  • Publisher
0 Ratings
0
Episode
664 of 678
Duration
9min
Language
English
Format
Category
Economy & Business

Jimmy Kimmel’s brief departure from the airwaves triggered a wave of debate over free speech. Partly triggering his suspension was the government threatening to leverage its power over pending media deals. That’s in part due to a piece of decades-old legislation.

Today on the show, we look at how the Telecommunications Act of 1996 set the stage for government meddling and corporate capitulation.

Related episodes: Breaking up big business is hard to do Mergers, acquisitions and Elon’s “rude” proposal

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy


Listen and read

Step into an infinite world of stories

  • Read and listen as much as you want
  • Over 1 million titles
  • Exclusive titles + Storytel Originals
  • 7 days free trial, then €9.99/month
  • Easy to cancel anytime
Try for free
Details page - Device banner - 894x1036
Cover for What media consolidation means for free speech

Other podcasts you might like ...