Howie Kurtz picks five stories from the most important, to the most entertaining, to the buzziest. And, he will sound off on what they tell us about the media culture: Are they fair, fascinating or a flop?
Listeners of MEDIA BUZZmeter that love the show mention: candidacy, mollie hemingway, kurtz, keep going please, tlaib, lester holt, love howie, buzzer, emily jashinsky, behind the wheel, reliable sources, keep drinking, sometimes i think, wounded, kamala, drive thru, homosexual, arrested, apples, biden.
The MEDIA BUZZmeter podcast, hosted by Howie Kurtz, is a refreshing source of news that offers unbiased reporting in a media landscape filled with bias. Kurtz is able to report the news without adding his own perspective, making this podcast a favorite for those seeking objective information. The critical thinking at the core of this podcast makes it a breath of fresh air and reminds listeners what true journalism sounds like.
One of the best aspects of The MEDIA BUZZmeter podcast is its commitment to balance and fairness. Kurtz provides substantive analysis of current events, offering both sides of an issue and allowing listeners to form their own opinions. This approach is hard to find in today's media environment, where ratings often take precedence over balanced information. The podcast stands out among political podcasts as one of the most balanced, providing fair commentary on politicians from different parties based on their actions rather than personal bias.
However, one downside to the podcast is that some listeners feel that Kurtz focuses too heavily on certain topics or controversies, such as the Walker abortion controversies. While it may be an important story, repeated discussion can become tiresome for some listeners who would prefer more variety in content. Additionally, there are occasional moments where Kurtz's underlying bias peeks through despite his attempts at neutrality. However, he still excels at hiding his bias better than other journalists at Fox News.
In conclusion, The MEDIA BUZZmeter podcast is a valuable resource for those seeking unbiased news and analysis. Howie Kurtz's experience in various forms of media allows him to provide insightful commentary on the state of journalism and media coverage today. While there may be minor flaws in terms of topic repetition and occasional bias, overall this podcast delivers fresh perspectives and balanced reporting that sets it apart from other sources. Whether you lean left or right politically, The MEDIA BUZZmeter will provide you with a fair examination of current events without depressing repetition or overwhelming bias.

Howie Kurtz on the DOJ withdrawing subpoenas issued to New York Times reporters, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said to be 'ruffling feathers' in the administration, and a Secret Service agent on JD Vance's detail being investigated for allegedly leaking operational security information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on Trump's escalating military warnings to Iran following deadly attacks on U.S. troops, the political backlash over New Jersey mistakenly registering thousands of non-citizens to vote, and the growing civil war within the Democratic Party as moderate leaders clash with far-left socialists. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on Speaker Mike Johnson breaking with President Trump over the war in Iran as congressional scrutiny intensifies, shifts in the administration's approach toward China's alleged election interference, and the spreading of rampant conspiracy theories surrounding the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on the escalating war with Iran as casualties rise and Republicans face midterm anxieties, the contentious South Carolina Senate race as Lindsey Graham's sister launches a campaign, a federal judge temporarily blocking the $110B Paramount-Warner Bros. merger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on the environmental impact of Canadian wildfires, President Trump ordering a review of climate guidance from the National Academy of Sciences, a media report detailing dismissed immigration assault charges, and escalating military conflicts between the U.S. and Iran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on President Trump's prime-time address regarding the 2020 election and the decisions by major television networks to limit or halt their live coverage, FBI Director Kash Patel's investigation into White House leaks concerning aircraft security, and radio host Howard Stern's transition to a reduced broadcasting schedule. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on the policy disagreement between President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin over ICE traffic stops, the ethics questions surrounding FCC Chairman Brendan Carr receiving gifts from Paramount during a pending merger, and the confirmation hearing of acting AG Todd Blanche. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on the confirmation hearing of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who fought behind the scenes to control a Trump-backed investigator's push for political payback, President Trump's rapidly shifting stance on Strait of Hormuz shipping fees, and Gayle King's viral, deeply personal account of catching her ex-husband cheating. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on the sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham and the conspiracy theories surrounding his death, a federal judge's rejection of a multi-billion dollar fund for January 6th convicts, and a multi-state lawsuit aiming to block Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on President Trump swapping his luxury Qatari-gifted jet for his original Air Force One over safety concerns, CNN clarifying its reporting stance after a hospital photo of Mitch McConnell emerged, and the media whirlwind surrounding the sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner announcing he is suspending his campaign & exiting the Maine U.S. Senate race following severe sexual assault allegations, President Trump swapping his new Qatari-gifted jet for his original Air Force One, and CNN issuing an on-air correction after getting fooled by a parody social media account. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner officially dropping out of the race following severe sexual assault allegations, President Trump's conflicting updates on the conflict with Iran, and major on-air media blunders from CBS and CNN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on President Trump's declaration that the U.S. ceasefire with Iran is officially over, the total unraveling of Graham Plattner's Senate campaign in Maine amid gripping misconduct allegations, and the legal dismissal of Trump Media's $3.8 billion defamation lawsuit against The Washington Post. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on the career-threatening sexual assault allegations facing Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, President Trump's claims of holding the top ranking on TikTok, and the political rise of Vice President J.D. Vance as the apparent 2028 Republican heir. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on the 250th anniversary of America's founding marked by deeply polarized political messaging, a Wall Street Journal report exposing billions in personal earnings and high-volume stock trading within President Trump's investment accounts, and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's sharp critique of Gen Z upon her return from maternity leave. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz reflects on the upcoming 250th anniversary of the American experiment, sharing his personal gratitude for the country and his memories of the bicentennial celebration in New York . While acknowledging America's historical hypocrisies and flaws, Kurtz voices concern over how deeply politicized the nation and its upcoming milestone have become . As Howie puts it: "I just love this country for all of its flaws, excesses, hypocrisies. It is still the longest running experiment in history of self-governance, even at this difficult time." To hear more about America's 250 moments, listen to this podcast: 250 Most Impactful Moments in American History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on President Trump's staggering new financial disclosures revealing billions in crypto and foreign business deals, a socialist primary upset shaking up the Democratic establishment in Colorado, and NPR's massive on-air blunder falsely reporting the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on the conservative backlash against Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett over her mail-in ballot and birthright citizenship votes, President Trump's financial disclosures regarding his family's cryptocurrency businesses, and Rep. Tom Kean Jr.'s public disclosure of his depression diagnosis following a 100-day absence from Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on the Supreme Court expanding presidential authority while leaving President Trump on the hook for a $5 million defamation judgment to E. Jean Carroll , Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton jetting off to Iceland with his rumored mistress, and the Senate Ethics Committee dismissing a misconduct complaint against Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on the rise of far-left democratic socialists triggering a fierce internal battle within the Democratic party , former National Security Advisor John Bolton pleading guilty to mishandling classified information , and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg exposing a cruel, politically motivated hoax targeting his young children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on the Supreme Court handing President Trump two major immigration victories, the White House saying Iran is still 'desperate' to make a deal, and the socialist surge fracturing the Democrat Party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani's progressive primary victories knocking off incumbent New York Democrats, President Trump's tense face-off with Senate Republicans over a canceled bipartisan housing bill, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ousting high-ranking military leaders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on the Senate voting to limit President Trump's military authority against Iran, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani's candidates sweeping the New York political establishment in the primaries, and acting DNI Bill Pulte's planned mass staff cuts following the Tulsi Gabbard scandal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on the rise of self-proclaimed socialist Democrats sweeping into local offices across major blue cities, the Wall Street Journal's exposé revealing that prediction platform Polymarket paid influencers to film fake trades on dummy websites, and President Trump's furious backlash against the New York Times over its coverage of the ongoing war with Iran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on President Trump's public disputes with international leaders like Italy's Giorgia Meloni and the UK's Keir Starmer, the controversy surrounding a detailed investigative report alleging former DNI Tulsi Gabbard's political messaging was controlled by her guru's religious sect, and the federal appointees who halted a criminal investigation into a suspected multi-million dollar clemency buyout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on the explosive revelations from Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan's upcoming book Regime Change, the fierce bipartisan backlash over President Trump's controversial peace memorandum with Iran, and the star-studded grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on President Trump's aggressive defense of his controversial "secret" Iran agreement amidst intense bipartisan and media backlash, the Supreme Court's major 6-3 ruling limiting nationwide injunctions to clear the way for ending birthright citizenship, and Hillary Clinton's remarks calling Joe Biden's 2024 re-election bid a "terrible mistake." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on President Trump's secret 1.5-page Iran peace memorandum drawing intense bipartisan blowback, the New York Knicks' historic come-from-behind championship victory over San Antonio fueled by Jalen Brunson's major salary sacrifice, and an SPLC scandal involving the misuse of donor funds to pay hate group informants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on the New York Knicks winning their first championship in 53 years, California Governor Gavin Newsom alleging a politically motivated DOJ investigation by President Trump, and a secret West Wing memo revealing the administration's serious consideration of suspending habeas corpus for unauthorized immigrants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on President Trump's late-night announcement of a comprehensive peace deal with Iran, the New York Knicks' legendary comeback championship victory, and a class-action lawsuit alleging The Washington Post weaponized subscriber data for price gouging. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on President Trump's shifting stance on Iran negotiations and potential military action, the upcoming SpaceX IPO that could propel Elon Musk to trillionaire status, and the intense media scrutiny facing Maine Democratic Senate primary winner Graham Platner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on President Trump saying he loves 'inflation', the New York Knicks historic comeback, and the Epstein files continue to cause frustration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on President Trump retaliating against Iran after the shooting down of an American military helicopter, entertainment stars bypassing traditional media access to go direct-to-consumer via top-tier podcasts, and a tech journalist experimenting with AI chatbots to completely eliminate the need for a real estate agent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on President Trump's fiery Meet the Press interview with Kristen Welker that ended in a premature exit, former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown publicly endorsing Gavin Newsom over his ex-girlfriend Kamala Harris, and the San Antonio Spurs spoiling the party at Madison Square Garden by snapping the New York Knicks' historic 13-game postseason streak in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on Democratic candidate Graham Platner calling the laundry list of personal criticisms all 'politically motivated', President Trump storming out of 'Meet the Press' interview, and HHS Sec. RFK seemingly disengaged on anything but his own policies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on the brewing Democratic civil war in Maine as Senate candidate Graham Plattner faces a massive exposé detailing a toxic past, the internal friction at 60 Minutes following the appointment of new chief Nick Bilton, and the critical public remarks from retired legend Steve Kroft regarding the network's substantial firings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on the internal friction at 60 Minutes following the hiring of tech journalist Nick Bilton, the dramatic firing of veteran anchor Scott Pelley after he confronted leadership over allegations of media bias, and the House voting to direct President Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from the war with Iran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on the internal friction at 60 Minutes following the hiring of tech journalist Nick Bilton, the dramatic firing of veteran anchor Scott Pelley after he confronted leadership over allegations of media bias, and President Trump's appointment of Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on the internal friction at 60 Minutes following the hiring of tech journalist Nick Bilton, President Trump considering dropping a $1.8 billion fund aimed at compensating January 6th defendants due to pushback from congressional Republicans, and the political fallout surrounding Democratic Maine Senate nominee Graham Platner after reports of explicit text messages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on Paul McCartney releasing - The Boys of Dungeon Lane - what critics are calling his best album since the Beatles, a federal judge ordering the removal of President Trump's name from the Kennedy Center's facade, and the political backlash over President Trump utilizing a $1.8 billion fund to compensate January 6th rioters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on escalating military tensions as U.S. and Iranian airstrikes push a fragile 60-day maritime agreement to the brink, a massive executive shakeup and contributor firings at 60 Minutes, and the political backlash over President Trump utilizing the Justice Department to investigate writer E. Jean Carroll. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on escalating military tensions as U.S. airstrikes and Iranian retaliatory missile strikes push a fragile Mideast peace deal to the brink, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's landslide primary victory over veteran Senator John Cornyn, and a Department of Justice investigation targeting E. Jean Carroll over potential perjury claims. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices