Home Login RADIO ONLINE RSS Facebook
Advertisement

Podcast Movement Apologizes to Cumulus' Ben Shapiro


Ben Shapiro
Ben Shapiro

After conservative host Ben Shapiro attended Podcast Movement, an annual conference for podcasters and other content creators last week week in Dallas, the conference issued an apology for his unannounced 15-minute appearance. He had visited the conference's expo center, where "The Daily Wire," a conservative news site he co-founded had a booth taking a few photos before leaving. Following the apology, Cumulus said it would pull support from the organization.

Now, Podcast Movement President Dan Franks has issued an apology to Shapiro: "As we stated, we're continuing to evaluate our policies guiding social media and events with inclusivity, diversity & respect for all. We have to start by sincerely apologizing to Mr. Shapiro for our reaction when he visited a booth we sold his company. That wasn't right.

"Podcast Movement began in 2014, with four podcasters who had an idea to create a vibrant community that was for podcasters, by podcasters. We're still those people with the same idea, and recognize there's work to do as we grow.

"We are now looking to move forward, as we focus on that original mission from 2014 - being a hub for podcasting events, resources, news, and thought leadership."

The Cumulus Podcast Network has been The Daily Wire's advertising sales representative since 2016. Additionally, his radio show, "The Ben Shapiro Show," has been syndicated through Westwood One since 2019.

In a statement on Tuesday, Cumulus said, "At Cumulus Media, our tenet is that Every Voice Matters and we support conferences and trade events where differing political viewpoints can be expressed and received with respect. As such, we were dismayed and disappointed by Podcast Movement's handling of the reaction to our partner, top podcaster, and conservative talk leader Ben Shapiro's mere presence at Podcast Movement. After giving the leaders of Podcast Movement sufficient time to appropriately address their misstep, we are disassociating from Podcast Movement, including canceling our 2023 sponsorship plans."

Advertisement

Latest Radio Stories

2025 Local Radio Ad Revenue Projected to Reach $12.3B
RAB and BIA
RAB and BIA
The projected local radio ad revenue for 2025 is estimated to reach $12.3 billion, a stable comparison to the previous year. This projection covers both over-the-air and digital platforms, as outlined in the latest report by BIA Advisory Services. This analysis is part of a collaborative effort by the More

Veteran Radio Executive Patrick Crocker Dead at 65
Patrick Crocker
Patrick Crocker
Patrick (Pat) Crocker, a prominent figure in the radio industry with a career spanning nearly four decades, passed away unexpectedly due to a heart attack last night while playing ice hockey, his second favorite passion after radio. He was 65. Crocker, who served as Executive Vice President of Local More

Woodward Communications Expands Springfield Footprint
Woodward Communications
Woodward Communications
Woodward Communications Inc. (WCI), has announced its acquisition of four stations -- WNNS-FM, WQLZ-FM, WMAY-FM, and WMAY-AM -- from Mid-West Family. This marks WCI's continued expansion in the Springfield, IL, market following the acquisition of four other local More
Advertisement

KROQ/Los Angeles Welcomes Kevin Ryder Back for Afternoons
Kevin Ryder
Kevin Ryder
KROQ in Los Angeles welcomes back Radio Hall of Famer Kevin Ryder, weekdays from 3-7pm PT. Megan Holiday will now host evenings. Ryder first began his career at KROQ on January 2, 1990, alongside Gene "Bean" Baxter on "The Kevin & Bean Show." Together, they became the number one show in the market and the More

Jacobs Media to Unveil Key Insights from Techsurvey 2025
Techsurvey 2025
Techsurvey 2025
Jacobs Media will reveal the findings from its Techsurvey 2025, the radio broadcasting industry's largest annual survey, in a free webinar on Tuesday, April 15 at 2pm ET. This year's edition marks the 21st iteration of the study, drawing insights from nearly 25,000 responses More

NAB Urges FCC to Eliminate Natl. Broadcast Ownership Cap
National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)
National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has formally requested the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to abolish the national broadcast ownership cap that currently restricts media companies from owning more than eight radio stations in a radio market with 45 or more stations and TV stations that More

Return to Menu

Advertisement

Subscribe to our Newsletter
Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free.

Advertisement

Advertisement