Legacy Media or Mainstream Media?
People have pointed out that we stopped saying Mainstream Media (MSM) and are now saying Legacy Media. Asked why, here’s why it makes sense and is appropriate:
“Mainstream Media” referred to major newspapers, TV networks, and radio stations that dominated public discourse. These institutions were seen as the primary sources of news and information, trusted by the majority. However, as digital platforms, independent journalism, and social media grew, the authority of traditional outlets eroded. The term “Legacy Media” emerged to emphasize that these institutions are no longer the uncontested gatekeepers of information.
The internet disrupted the media’s centralized power. When news was limited to print and broadcast, large corporations controlled access to information. But with digital platforms, information became decentralized — anyone with a smartphone and internet connection could publish news, challenge narratives, and reach an audience. “Legacy Media” conveys that these old institutions are struggling to adapt in an era where public trust is shifting toward independent sources.
Over time, the public has become more skeptical of media narratives. “Mainstream Media” once implied broad public consensus and credibility, but the rise of alternative voices exposed biases in reporting. The term “Legacy Media” carries a critical undertone, implying these outlets cling to outdated models of influence, rely on establishment-approved narratives, and resist change. This shift coincides with fact that traditional media serves corporate, political, or ideological interests rather than objective journalism.
The term “Legacy” also fits because traditional media organizations are in financial decline. Newspapers and TV networks rely on advertising and subscription models that have been undercut by digital platforms like Google, Facebook, and independent newsletters. Many legacy outlets have seen layoffs, consolidation, and declining revenues, making them look more like aging institutions trying to survive rather than dominant players shaping culture.
Podcasts, YouTube channels, and Substack writers have replaced traditional outlets as primary sources of news for many people. Figures like Joe Rogan, Glenn Greenwald, Matt Taibbi, and others now reach millions outside traditional media ecosystems. The power shift means that what was once “alternative” is now more influential than the so-called “Mainstream Media,” making “Legacy Media” a more accurate descriptor.
Calling it “Legacy Media” signals that these institutions no longer define the conversation — they are the remnants of a past information order. The transition reflects the decline of centralized media power, the rise of decentralized information sources, and growing skepticism toward traditional news outlets.
Amusingly, many of us pointed out this was happening, years ago, and were attacked then, just as now, by the media. I wrote this in 2013:
