Skip to main content

Media

Vox’s home for discussing, analyzing, and explaining the media industry, including journalism, social networks, and entertainment.

The connections between Donald Trump, Harvey Weinstein, and the National Enquirer, explained
Explainers

The tabloid is accused of covering up stories. Its reach and connections say a lot about power in America.

By Anna North
Technology
Zuckerberg isn’t done answering questions about Facebook’s political ads policyZuckerberg isn’t done answering questions about Facebook’s political ads policy
Technology

Facebook wanted to talk about election security, Russia, and Iran. Reporters had other ideas. This may go on for a while.

By Peter Kafka
Technology
Facebook banned more fake Russian and Iranian accountsFacebook banned more fake Russian and Iranian accounts
Technology

The social network also says it is beefing up efforts to protect the site in the run-up to the 2020 elections. For instance: It’s going to call false news false.

By Peter Kafka
How propaganda works in the digital age
Politics

Propaganda has evolved, and it’s transforming politics.

By Sean Illing
Technology
No one expected The Athletic could get people to pay for sports news. Now it has 600,000 subscribers.No one expected The Athletic could get people to pay for sports news. Now it has 600,000 subscribers.
Podcast
Technology

And the business might do the same thing for other topics.

By Peter Kafka
Technology
The techlash hasn’t come up in the Democratic presidential debates. Warren could change that.The techlash hasn’t come up in the Democratic presidential debates. Warren could change that.
Technology

Tonight’s debate will signal whether Warren thinks Facebook — and the rest of tech — may finally be an issue voters care about.

By Peter Kafka
Culture
Shepard Smith is leaving Fox NewsShepard Smith is leaving Fox News
Culture

After 23 years at the network, Smith is leaving amid turmoil surrounding Trump and impeachment.

By Jane Coaston
Technology
Bestselling author Shea Serrano’s writing reads like a conversation. That’s not an accident.Bestselling author Shea Serrano’s writing reads like a conversation. That’s not an accident.
Podcast
Technology

It lets him pull off a very cool trick in his new book, Movies (And Other Things).

By Peter Kafka
Technology
The techlash is real, and Silicon Valley should be worried, says BuzzFeed’s Ben SmithThe techlash is real, and Silicon Valley should be worried, says BuzzFeed’s Ben Smith
Podcast
Technology

“I think there is a real possibility that these companies get broken up.”

By Peter Kafka
Technology
Amazon’s video app is back in Apple’s App Store. But get ready to see more streaming fights.Amazon’s video app is back in Apple’s App Store. But get ready to see more streaming fights.
Technology

In 2019, everyone’s a streamer, which means everyone’s a competitor.

By Peter Kafka
Technology
The 2 companies that place all those ads at the bottom of webpages are combiningThe 2 companies that place all those ads at the bottom of webpages are combining
Technology

Taboola is buying Outbrain.

By Peter Kafka
Politics
48 hours illustrating how Trump’s abuse-of-power scandal has split Fox News48 hours illustrating how Trump’s abuse-of-power scandal has split Fox News
Politics

Hannity is pushing Clinton conspiracy theories while the network’s top judicial analyst talks about impeachment.

By Aaron Rupar
Technology
Food52, the recipes + cookware site founded by a former New York Times food columnist, is gobbled upFood52, the recipes + cookware site founded by a former New York Times food columnist, is gobbled up
Technology

The Chernin Group is buying a majority stake in Amanda Hesser’s startup for $83 million.

By Peter Kafka
Politics
Trump loyalists are working hard to defend the president. It isn’t going well.Trump loyalists are working hard to defend the president. It isn’t going well.
Politics

Stephen Miller struggles on Fox News, and other lowlights from the Sunday morning efforts to defend the president.

By Aaron Rupar
Technology
Why Vox Media says it bought New York MediaWhy Vox Media says it bought New York Media
Podcast
Technology

My boss Jim Bankoff and New York Media’s Pam Wasserstein talked to me about their deal. I still have questions.

By Peter Kafka
Technology
The Food Network thinks you’ll pay $7 a month for a digital version of the Food NetworkThe Food Network thinks you’ll pay $7 a month for a digital version of the Food Network
Technology

Discovery would like you to think of its new Food Network Kitchen subscription service as the Peloton for cooking.

By Peter Kafka
Politics
Corey Lewandowski confessed to gaslighting the press. CNN booked him hours later anyway.Corey Lewandowski confessed to gaslighting the press. CNN booked him hours later anyway.
Politics

Believe it or not, cable news networks are not obligated to showcase liars.

By Aaron Rupar
Politics
How Fox News twisted the Kavanaugh scandal into a way to attack the New York TimesHow Fox News twisted the Kavanaugh scandal into a way to attack the New York Times
Politics

They keep using the same false talking point to change the topic.

By Aaron Rupar
Technology
Why “Seinfeld” is coming to NetflixWhy “Seinfeld” is coming to Netflix
Technology

Friends and The Office are leaving. Jerry and crew are coming. And streaming prices keep going up.

By Peter Kafka
Politics
How Fox News lets the Trump family off the hook for profiting off the presidencyHow Fox News lets the Trump family off the hook for profiting off the presidency
Politics

It’s not a matter of opinion, but Fox News treats it as such.

By Aaron Rupar
Technology
Apple’s new streaming TV service: here’s everything we knowApple’s new streaming TV service: here’s everything we know
Technology

On Tuesday, Apple announced that its TV+ streaming service will cost $4.99 per month and will debut on November 1.

By Peter Kafka
Technology
What happened to the formerly fearsome right-wing media troll?What happened to the formerly fearsome right-wing media troll?
Podcast
Technology

Milo Yiannopoulos and his right-wing peers seemed state of the art in 2016. CNN’s Oliver Darcy talks about what changed since then.

By Peter Kafka
Media
Why New York Times reporters rallied around Breitbart following an O’Rourke campaign eventWhy New York Times reporters rallied around Breitbart following an O’Rourke campaign event
Media

The Beto O’Rourke-Breitbart controversy, explained.

By Aaron Rupar
Politics
Fox & Friends wants you to believe Trump would have G7 at Doral even if he didn’t own itFox & Friends wants you to believe Trump would have G7 at Doral even if he didn’t own it
Politics

Their defense of one of Trump’s most corrupt proposals suggests they think their viewers will believe anything.

By Aaron Rupar
Explainers
Bret Stephens’s “bedbug” meltdown, explainedBret Stephens’s “bedbug” meltdown, explained
Explainers

When tattling to someone’s manager goes wrong.

By Aaron Rupar
Culture
Marvel’s Black Panther 2 will be released in 2022Marvel’s Black Panther 2 will be released in 2022
Culture

It’s the return of the king (of Wakanda).

By Alex Abad-Santos
Culture
How the Hong Kong protests created the #BoycottMulan campaignHow the Hong Kong protests created the #BoycottMulan campaign
Culture

Months away from release, Disney’s live-action Mulan is facing political backlash.

By Allegra Frank
Politics
The viral video of Chris Cuomo going berserk over being called “Fredo,” explainedThe viral video of Chris Cuomo going berserk over being called “Fredo,” explained
Politics

During a heated bar confrontation, the CNN host said getting called “Fredo” was “like the n-word.”

By Aaron Rupar
Culture
CNN’s Chris Cuomo said “Fredo” is like “the n-word” for Italians. It’s … not.CNN’s Chris Cuomo said “Fredo” is like “the n-word” for Italians. It’s … not.
Culture

It’s a reference to The Godfather.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Technology
The CBS and Viacom merger, explainedThe CBS and Viacom merger, explained
Technology

Shari Redstone’s plan to compete with Netflix, Apple, and Disney: Merge CBS and Viacom, then try to combine with … someone else.

By Peter Kafka
The media amplifies Trump’s racism. Should it stop?
Politics

Perhaps, to receive the coverage he seeks, Trump should have to normalize himself.

By Ezra Klein
Technology
“The $300 textbook is dead,” says the CEO of textbook maker Pearson“The $300 textbook is dead,” says the CEO of textbook maker Pearson
Podcast
Technology

On the latest Recode Decode, John Fallon explains why the education company is pivoting to digital textbooks.

By Eric Johnson
Politics
Trump’s latest Hannity interview shows how Fox News’s Russia coverage is disconnected from realityTrump’s latest Hannity interview shows how Fox News’s Russia coverage is disconnected from reality
Politics

They want you to believe Clinton colluded with Russia to defeat herself.

By Aaron Rupar
Technology
Why 2020 presidential candidate Andrew Yang doesn’t want to break up GoogleWhy 2020 presidential candidate Andrew Yang doesn’t want to break up Google
Podcast
Technology

Big Tech’s consolidation is hurting innovation, Yang says, but just saying “break them up” is a “20th century approach to [a] 21st century problem.”

By Eric Johnson
Technology
Netflix thought it would have 5 million new subscribers this quarter. Instead it added 2.7 million.Netflix thought it would have 5 million new subscribers this quarter. Instead it added 2.7 million.
Technology

And that’s before it loses Friends, The Office, and other shows and movies made by its Big Media rivals.

By Peter Kafka
Technology
The bogus White House social media summit is basically a big trollThe bogus White House social media summit is basically a big troll
Technology

“Bogus” kind of gives it away.

By Peter Kafka
Politics
One day encapsulated everything that’s wrong with Fox NewsOne day encapsulated everything that’s wrong with Fox News
Politics

From revelations about spreading Russian propaganda to making racist attacks, July 9 had it all.

By Aaron Rupar
Technology
Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s first novel is about divorce in the age of TinderTaffy Brodesser-Akner’s first novel is about divorce in the age of Tinder
Podcast
Technology

Brodesser-Akner, who’s better known for her profiles of celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Paula Deen, says she wrote the book “mostly while I was waiting for an interview subject to show up.”

By Eric Johnson
Technology
Journalist Carole Cadwalladr has a question for tech workers: Are you okay with your bosses enabling “techno-fascism”?Journalist Carole Cadwalladr has a question for tech workers: Are you okay with your bosses enabling “techno-fascism”?
Podcast
Technology

One whistleblower, Christopher Wylie, changed the course of Cadwalladr’s reporting on the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Are there more people like him out there?

By Eric Johnson
Culture
Disney’s live-action Little Mermaid will star a black ArielDisney’s live-action Little Mermaid will star a black Ariel
Culture

Every Disney princess for the past 30 years has had Ariel’s face. Now Ariel has a new face.

By Constance Grady