Topic: Drudge Report

A donor who followed Adam Curry from the Howard Stern Show in the 1980s sparks a comparison between different listener bases. Another producer describes No Agenda as a "vaccine" against the mainstream media, noting that his wife has become "happier and healthier" since switching from the Drudge Report to No Agenda for her news.

Rumors circulate that Matt Drudge has sold the Drudge Report, leading to a perceived shift in the site's editorial stance toward President Trump. Meanwhile, a Drudge fan site with 1.3 million followers recently promoted the No Agenda show, leading to an influx of engagement from the Gab community, though the hosts suspect much of the traffic may be bot-driven.

The hosts continue testing NewsGuard on various digital platforms, noting that Breitbart is flagged with a red exclamation mark while the Drudge Report remains unrated. Wikipedia receives a blue informational icon due to its user-generated nature. They suggest the rating system is biased against independent media and serves the interests of large advertising agencies.

A report circulating on the Drudge Report and other sites claims the FBI raided a company called "Final Solution Productions" at Sunset and Vine in Los Angeles for allegedly producing ISIS propaganda videos. The hosts examine the details, noting the high production value of ISIS media, but remain skeptical of the report's authenticity, suggesting it may be a red herring.

Monica Lewinsky speaks at the Forbes Under 30 Conference, labeling herself "patient zero" of internet shaming and launching an anti-bullying campaign. She credits the Drudge Report with making her a global figure in 1998 before the era of social media. The hosts question her presence at an "under 30" event and suggest her story is being leveraged to further the "war on Twitter."

An aside explores the world of corporate advertising and the lifestyle of young media buyers in New York. The hosts describe lavish trips on the Forbes yacht, The Highlander, used to court advertisers who often don't read the publications they buy space in. They also note a Drudge Report headline featuring mac and cheese, suggesting the site's editors listen to the podcast.

Provisions in the new NDAA reference Article 1, Section 9 of the Constitution regarding the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus during cases of rebellion or invasion. Concerns are raised that the definition of "rebellion" could be interpreted broadly to include political dissent or online activism. The lack of a clear legal briefing from the executive branch on these potential suspensions is noted.

A controversy emerged on the Drudge Report regarding PBS allegedly censoring a gaffe by President Obama about Abraham Lincoln starting the Republican Party. The hosts dismiss the controversy as a potential "psyops" distraction from the fact that the president's jobs bill had not yet been written at the time of his speech.

A listener working for a Silicon Valley city government shared a story about a memo addressed to "city slaves" regarding uniform conduct. The listener credited the "No Agenda Bullshit Filter" browser extension for preventing him from sending a career-ending reply. The hosts also discuss rumors that the Drudge Report may be using the show's terminology.

A draft proposal from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) suggests a government-led overhaul of the media industry to save struggling news organizations. The plan includes requiring news aggregators like the Drudge Report, Digg, and Reddit to pay for content through copyright licenses. The hosts argue that taxing aggregators will further damage the news industry's failing business model.

On his HBO show, Bill Maher accused Matt Drudge of using "subliminally racist" headlines on the Drudge Report. Maher cited examples such as "Obama negs rise" and "Ho in the Garden" (referring to Michelle Obama's garden) as evidence of racial bias. The hosts critique Maher's audience for laughing at the jokes while simultaneously condemning the alleged racism, calling them hypocrites.

The feasibility of creating a user-supported news organization is explored, with cost estimates ranging from $45,000 to $100,000 per reporter annually. The model would prioritize decentralized operations over expensive downtown offices to maximize investigative budgets. References are made to the reputations of the Drudge Report and Huffington Post as successful examples of non-traditional media influence.