Mediaite’s 25 Most Influential in Political News Media 2015
#15 – Sean Hannity
It’s rare to think that someone who has such a powerful voice on television in cable news may actually land near the top of our list more because of his radio work, but that’s the situation that Sean Hannity finds himself in. In addition to his show Hannity, weeknights on Fox News, the nationally syndicated Sean Hannity Show is a fan-favorite for the nation’s conservatives. Sure he was moved from 9 to 10 pm on Fox to make room for Megyn Kelly, but when you have this sort of multi-platform influence, it kinda doesn’t matter. [image via Twitter]
#14 – Andy Lack
It’s no secret that MSNBC is in the midst of a pretty substantial shake-up. After a 2008 presidential campaign that presented the network with a huge windfall of opportunity, disappointing ratings have dogged the network and led to it once again falling below CNN. Some blame a leadership vacuum. Enter returning venerable NBC News Chief Andy Lack, who now oversees what is probably the largest news and political media organization in the country with MSNBC and NBC News. Lack has been candid regarding proposed changes to the MSNBC lineup that saw a series of low-rated shows canceled this year in favor of increased focus on breaking news. Lack notes simply, “we’re in a long game now,” planting the seeds for what he hopes is long term success. But if he can make MSNBC as competitive as The Today Show suddenly is again with ABC’s long dominant Good Morning America, then CNN will have to watch out. [image via Twitter]
#13 – Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough
We thought that it fair to lump in the cohosts of MSNBC’s Morning Joe together on our list since their contribution to the political news arena hardly involves just one of them. The duo is an undeniable staple of the “influencers”: the media elite in Washington and New York who then make policy or deliver the news to the rest of the country. Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough take to the air each morning with no script, no teleprompter, no sense of driving direction to dictate their talking points. They host an elite panel of thinkers, authors, and columnists prepared to debate the morning’s political news and have proven that they are not afraid to attack their guests whenever warranted. When you ask most politicos (who watch television) what they watch in the morning, they will almost certainly say Morning Joe. [image via Miller Hawkins/MSNBC]
#12 – Mike Allen
For New York and Washington insiders, there are few things more impactful than the daily POLITICO Playbook curated by Mike Allen. It’s a straight-to-your-inbox pull of the freshest ideas and must-read grabs from all corners of the political news spectrum, and Allen seemingly has his finger on the pulse of everything noteworthy going on. Yes, Allen found himself backpedaling recently when email correspondences revealed that the journalism vet offered softball questions in preparation for an interview with Chelsea Clinton, but no, that has not in any way detracted from his influence or political might. [image via Wikipedia Commons]
#11 – George Stephanopoulos
Just based on the fact that he co-hosts the top-rated Good Morning America and anchors ABC News’ political show This Week, George Stephanopoulos has a rare amount of influence and political juice. Add to that the fact that he probably has as much name recognition as anyone in the business and a social media following most celebrities would die for, it’s not surprising that he is a serious political media force. While he endured controversy this year for donations to the Clinton Global Initiative, Stephanopolous appears to have weathered that storm as he has returned to making news for his interviews. Stephanopoulos cornered Dr. Ben Carson recently about his proposed screening plans for Syrian refugees and President Barack Obama’s now-infamous “contained them” quip regarding the rise of ISIS came in a one-on-one with Stephanopoulos as well. [image via Lou Rocco/ABC]
NEXT PAGE: We’re down to the Top Ten! See who made the cut for selections #6-10!
