Woocast's Politics & Polls

The conservative news media has had a historical role in shaping national politics. In this episode, Julian Zelizer discusses the influence of conservative news media, both then and now, with historian Laurence Jurdem. Jurdem goes into detail about how conservative publications were created as a means to influence policymakers and as an alternative to the liberal news media. These outlets influenced presidents like Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan. Jurdem is the author of a new book, “Paving the Way for Reagan: The Influence of Conservative Media on US Foreign Policy 1964-1980.” He also is a regular contributor to numerous national publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the National Review.