Mixed Signals from Semafor Media

Ben and Nayeema dissect the battle brewing between American newsrooms and President Biden, wondering whether the Brits are to blame. Then they call up Richard Linklater, famed director of films including Boyhood, Dazed and Confused and, his latest, Hit Man, to contemplate whether it was Marvel, #MeToo or something else that took sex out of the cinema. Also: Max tries to open our hearts and minds to a faith-based Trump ballad, and Ben vows to improve Amtrak, with the help of unlimited LinkedIn

In our first episode, Ben and Nayeema catch New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman outside the courthouse where a jury just convicted former President Donald Trump. But will the media circus change anyone’s mind? Then they sit down with Vivek Ramaswamy to talk about his plans for BuzzFeed, following his purchase of 8.4% of the company. Finally, Semafor Media Editor Max Tani joins the show to discuss media blindspots and defend phones at bedtime. Drop us a line if you’ve got a tip:

The truth about modern media — from inside the machine. Every Friday starting May 31, journalists Ben Smith and Nayeema Raza pull back the curtain on the week’s key stories, revealing how money, access, culture and politics shape everything you read, watch, and hear. Sign up for the Sunday night blockbuster newsletter from Semafor Media: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/media Or drop us a line if you’ve got thoughts on the show, or a tip for a story: mixedsignals@semafor.com Read more from Ben