Political podcasts have exploded in recognition within the UK. Publishers like Acast and Spotify have reported downloads of political titles rising 50% or extra over the 2024 basic election.
As a researcher of broadcast journalism and a podcast producer, I discover this thrilling however not stunning. Earlier than these figures have been even printed, I predicted this may develop into the UK’s first “podcast election”.
I consider the accessibility of podcasts – the very fact they are often listened to at any time, and the liberty for podcasters to precise opinion with out regulation – is a giant issue for this rise. However political podcasts’ recognition now raises questions on whether or not this content material ought to have extra oversight.
In a current interview, Tony Pastor, co-founder of podcast large Goalhanger, revealed that its greatest titles, The Relaxation is Politics and The Relaxation is Historical past, have been downloaded round 10 million and 12 million instances a month, respectively.
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The medium has come a great distance since 2006, when comic Ricky Gervais’s present was probably the most downloaded podcast ever with a mean of 261,670 downloads per episode. Podcasting was nonetheless in an experimental stage, and few individuals had heard the time period.
However even then, Gervais acknowledged the distinctive freedoms of the format, telling the BBC: “We didn’t have a boss. We didn’t have guidelines or restrictions that you simply do on radio.”
For followers of audio storytelling, podcasts launched a brand new means of listening to content material at any time when and wherever they needed. For his or her half, hosts appreciated the liberty to say and do what they needed with out the restrictions of the foundations and laws of broadcast radio.
Freedom with out constraints was one of many appeals of the much-loved “pirate radio” of the Sixties. These unlicensed radio stations on boats floating off the coast of the UK had few laws. DJs reminiscent of Tony Blackburn, Kenny Everett, John Peel and Emperor Rosko may say what they needed and play what they preferred. They provided one thing totally different from what was on provide elsewhere, and this helped construct them a loyal viewers of followers who preferred their rebellious nature and new sound.
An identical enchantment has helped podcasting develop 12 months on 12 months. There at the moment are greater than 500 million podcast listeners all over the world. Within the UK, round 38 million individuals (69% of the grownup inhabitants) have listened to a podcast, with round 23 million (42%) saying they’ve listened to a podcast within the final month, in line with the newest figures.
However with such recognition, ought to there be tighter controls on what’s being broadcast?
For an argument in favour, take into account the current election protection. Broadcasters are ruled by Ofcom’s broadcast code, so on election day, TV and radio stations should not allowed to air something political that would affect voters.
But, on election day this 12 months, podcasters have been free to provide no matter content material they needed. When you think about that the most well-liked political podcasts, reminiscent of The Relaxation is Politics and The Information Brokers, often hit 2 million downloads per episode, this might develop into problematic for an unregulated medium. You simply have to take a look at the pretend information pushed out on social media and the impression that usually has, reminiscent of throughout the January 6 US Capitol riots, to see the injury unregulated publishing can create.
The liberty to create
Some consider that current regulatory adjustments in Canada will result in podcasts being regulated. Final 12 months, the Canadian authorities launched laws giving the nation’s broadcast regulator broad powers over digital media corporations. This implies corporations reminiscent of Spotify and YouTube need to register as a platform. From November final 12 months, all podcasting companies working within the nation that make greater than CA$10 million (£5.7 million) needed to register with authorities.
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There are some benefits to this, one being discoverability. Underneath the foundations, these corporations now should promote Canadian content material, together with indigenous content material. This can hopefully lead to extra native materials being heard by a wider viewers. However critics suspect that is simply the beginning of laws for podcasters, and concern that additional regulation may intrude with freedom of expression.
Within the UK, the brand new On-line Security Act was handed final 12 months, aiming to make social media corporations extra chargeable for customers’ security on their platforms, together with defending kids from unlawful and dangerous content material. Some critics argue it may permit regulators and tech corporations to dictate what could or will not be stated on-line, elevating points for freedom of expression, privateness and innovation.
The act may in the end result in tighter guidelines figuring out what content material podcasters can publish: a regulator by way of the again door, taking away one of many key parts that makes a podcast totally different from the standard broadcasters.
Niall Carson/Alamy
Governments and regulators ought to tread very fastidiously down this path. The inventive freedom with out the foundations and restrictions is precisely what has allowed this medium to thrive.
There aren’t any gatekeepers reminiscent of broadcast bosses or editors who could have their very own opinions on what “the viewers” desires to listen to. There aren’t any laws set by governing our bodies as a result of they consider they know what’s finest for “the viewers”. A podcast permits the creator to create, with listeners deciding whether or not to tune in or not.
Podcasting additionally opens doorways for individuals who could have them closed by conventional media. That is summed up by the hosts of award-winning podcast Brown Ladies Do It Too. A 2023 article marking 20 years of podcasts concluded that, with out podcasts, there isn’t any means hosts Poppy Jay and Rubina Pabani “would have discovered themselves professionally engaged within the enterprise of creating individuals snort”.
In an trade the place, in line with a current Ofcom report, range remains to be missing, podcasts are a welcome hub of range and accessibility. This is only one purpose why I might preserve regulators properly away from podcasts, and permit the podcasters to freely create – then watch the sector proceed to develop.
