Introduction
In recent years, podcasts have exploded as a medium for communication, discussion, and entertainment. This digital platform is inexpensive and easily accessible, providing anyone with a microphone and internet connection a way to share their ideas with a global audience. While this democratisation of media has allowed diverse voices to emerge, it has also created fertile ground for extremists, including the far right, to spread their ideology. The rise of far-right podcasts is a concerning phenomenon, as these platforms have become powerful tools for radicalisation, disinformation, and community-building around dangerous ideas. This Insight provides a history and general overview of the far-right’s use of podcast audio, its appeals, themes, tactics, and how it presents a pathway to further radicalisation.
Context: A Short History of Far-Right Audio
Far-right extremists have relied on audio content to promote their message of hate to audiences for decades. Still, podcasts had, and have continued to have, a unique appeal. Shows cost very little to produce and distribute – a host needs only audio-editing software and a microphone. Cross-nationally, there are no stringent government regulations on podcasts, unlike broadcast radio, making the barrier to entry much lower. Finally, dozens of platforms and mobile apps (“podcatchers”) distribute podcasts at no cost to listeners, including those made by Google, Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Libsyn, Soundcloud and Spreaker.
Extremists who once embraced short-wave radio and other forms of alternative broadcasting easily made the switch to internet technology in the 1990s. In 1997, David Duke, founder of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan and its youngest ever Grand Wizard (later sanitized to “National Director”), began hosting downloadable recordings of “The David Duke International Internet Radio Show” on his website, The David Duke Report. Duke’s friend and longtime associate, Don Black, launched Stormfront, a website and discussion forum for white supremacists of all stripes in 1995. Black began posting an array of audio and video files on Stormfront. By mid-2004, the proprietors had begun a series of Stormfront-branded internet radio shows such as “Stormfront Town Hall with David Duke” and later “Stormfront Action Radio.”
Context: The Appeal of Podcasts to the Far Right
Podcasts also offer a unique combination of intimacy, accessibility, and unregulated space, which the far right has seized upon to spread its messages. Several key factors make podcasts particularly appealing to this movement:
- Low Barrier to Entry: Unlike traditional media outlets, podcasts require minimal financial and technical investment. This allows far-right figures to bypass mainstream media gatekeepers and create their own platforms. For example, between 2014 and 2020, ‘The Daily Shoah’ (a pun on the Hebrew word for Holocaust) was one of the more prominent far-right podcasts that built a large audience by espousing white nationalist ideas. Although it was deplatformed from mainstream platforms like SoundCloud, it continues to exist on smaller platforms and through RSS feeds, illustrating how extremists can maintain a presence despite attempts at moderation.
- Long-form Discussion: The podcast format allows for in-depth conversations, providing space for far-right hosts to present their views in great detail. ‘Fash the Nation’, another popular far-right podcast, offered hours-long discussions – blending current political events with extreme right-wing perspectives, and often weaving in racist and antisemitic ideas under the guise of serious political analysis. This long-form format helped lend a veneer of intellectualism to far-right propaganda, which can make it more palatable to casual listeners who may not realise the extremity of the content under consideration.
- Personal Connection: Podcasts’ conversational tone fosters a sense of intimacy between the host and audience, building trust over time. For example, Stefan Molyneux, a former YouTuber and podcaster, built a following by presenting himself as a philosopher discussing free speech and political correctness. Gradually, his content became increasingly aligned with far-right ideologies, including white supremacy and eugenics. The personal, calm delivery in his podcasts allowed him to build a loyal listener base, many of whom (such as the Christchurch Mosque Shooter) became radicalised over time as his views shifted to more extreme positions.
- Echo Chambers and Algorithmic Amplification: Many podcasts, particularly those focused on niche or controversial topics, benefit from recommendation algorithms that suggest similar content to listeners. Once someone starts listening to a far-right podcast, like ‘Red Ice Radio’, they may be exposed to more radical content as platforms, like Spotify or YouTube, suggest related shows. This echo chamber effect reinforces extreme views and isolates listeners from opposing perspectives. Research has shown that algorithms on major platforms, originally designed to keep users engaged, inadvertently push users toward more extreme content.
Far-Right Podcasts: Themes and Tactics
Far-right podcasts cover a range of topics, but certain themes and tactics appear consistently across their content.
- Anti-Establishment Rhetoric: Many far-right podcasts frame themselves as champions of the people, fighting against a ‘corrupt’ and ‘oppressive’ elite. Alex Jones’ ‘Infowars’ is a prime example, blending far-right rhetoric with conspiracy theories about government control, globalist elites, and media manipulation. Jones portrays himself as a truth-teller battling against censorship and deception, which resonates with listeners who are already distrustful of traditional institutions. His podcasts often combine right-wing populism with more fringe ideas, creating a pathway for his audience to adopt more extreme beliefs.
- Conspiracy Theories: Conspiracy theories are central to many far-right podcasts. For instance, The Richie Allen Show regularly promotes conspiracies about the “New World Order,” a global elite supposedly plotting to subjugate ordinary people. Allen’s guests, often drawn from the far right, discuss topics like the “Great Replacement,” a conspiracy theory claiming that non-white populations are being intentionally brought into Western countries to “replace” white citizens. These narratives fuel fear and resentment, making listeners more susceptible to radicalisation.
- Dog Whistles and Code Words: Many far-right podcasts use coded language, or ‘dog whistles’, to avoid explicit hate speech violations while still signalling their true beliefs to an initiated audience. For example, terms like ‘globalist’ often stand in for antisemitic rhetoric, while ‘Western civilization’ or ‘culture enricher’ may be used to promote anti-migrant ideals. The Right Stuff network, which hosts several far-right podcasts, frequently uses such language to discuss issues of race and immigration while avoiding outright racial slurs. This allows them to stay within the bounds of platform policies while still spreading their ideology.
- Historical Revisionism: Historical distortion is a common tactic in far-right podcasts. The ‘Occidental Observer’ podcast often promotes revisionist takes on European history, portraying white Europeans as under siege and rewriting historical events to fit a white nationalist narrative. Hosts may glorify fascist regimes or downplay the atrocities of the Holocaust to further their ideological goals. By offering an alternative version of history, far-right podcasts attempt to legitimise their calls for ethno-nationalism and exclusionary policies.
- Cultivating a Sense of Community: Many far-right podcasts emphasise community building, providing listeners not only with content but also with a sense of belonging. The ‘Paranormies Present’, for instance, blends far-right politics with discussions about paranormal activity, conspiracy theories, and alternative history, creating a niche community for listeners who might feel alienated from mainstream society. These podcasts offer their audience an identity, reinforcing the idea that they are part of an exclusive group that understands the “real” truth.
The Pipeline to Extremism
Podcasts play a key role in the far-right’s “radicalisation pipeline.” The process often unfolds gradually as listeners are exposed to increasingly extreme content. For example:
- Introduction to Mainstream Critique: Many listeners start by engaging with podcasts that criticise mainstream politics or culture in seemingly harmless ways. While not explicitly far-right, shows like Joe Rogan’s podcast often featured guests with controversial or extreme views. Through exposure to these voices, listeners may begin to explore more radical content.
- Shift Toward Fringe Content: Once trust is established, listeners might gravitate toward more extreme podcasts that align with conspiracy theories or far-right ideologies. Podcasts, like ‘The Corbett Report’, which features libertarian and anti-government content, can serve as a bridge between mainstream scepticism and far-right radicalisation.
- Adoption of Extremist Ideologies: As listeners delve deeper into far-right podcast networks, they may adopt more extreme beliefs, from white nationalism to antisemitism. Shows like ‘American Renaissance’ promote open discussions of racial superiority, eventually pushing listeners to embrace far-right ideologies as the “logical” response to societal problems.
Tech Platforms and Accountability
Many far-right podcasts thrive on mainstream platforms, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, raising questions about the responsibility of tech companies in moderating harmful content. For example, ‘Stormfront Radio’, associated with one of the oldest white supremacist websites, was available on multiple platforms for years before being deplatformed. This underscores both the need and the significant challenges tech companies face in identifying and removing extremist audio content – especially due to the massive volume and the difficulty of moderating content in foreign languages.
Even after deplatforming, many podcasts move to alternative hosting sites, like BitChute or DLive, where (usually borderline) far-right content continues to spread unchecked under the auspices of ‘free speech’. This speaks to the wider issue of the dearth of content moderation among lesser spoken languages but also the ‘opportunistic pragmatism’ that adversarial actors employ to circumvent detection. As such, greater sectoral investment is needed in audio detection tools and human content moderation teams – with subject matter expertise – outside of majority English-speaking countries that are able to proactively triage and weed out extremist use of their platforms.
Conclusion
The far right’s use of podcasts is a growing concern in the digital media landscape. By exploiting the accessible, intimate nature of podcasts, far-right figures are able to reach new audiences, potentially radicalise listeners, and build communities around dangerous ideologies. The role of podcasts in the radicalisation pipeline underscores the importance of media literacy, algorithmic transparency, and responsible content moderation. Addressing the influence of far-right podcasts is, therefore, a key part of several crucial steps in combating the broader spread of extremism online.