The 404 Media Podcast

Welcome to the podcast from 404 Media where Joseph, Sam, Emanuel, and Jason catch you up on the stories we published this week. 404 Media is a journalist-owned digital media company exploring the way technology is shaping–and is shaped by–our world. We bring you unparalleled access to hidden worlds both online and IRL through investigative reporting, smart blogging, and breaking news. At 404 Media you’ll read, and hear, stories you can’t find anywhere else written by journalists who are leading experts on their beats. Subscribe to 404 Media at 404media.co to gain access to an ad-free version of this podcast, as well as a bonus podcast episodes. Subscribers are the bedrock of building a sustainable business for our journalism.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recent Episodes

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Recent Reviews

Frugal panda

Amazing coverage and quality

One of the few news sources I’m a paid subscriber of. Great articles, coverage, breaking news, and insightful commentary. The podcast is a wonderful addition, especially during weeks when I’m too busy to read all the news articles.(How do they publish so much?!)
Badger--

Sustainable investigative tech reporting

I’ve been frustrated as many have at watching journalism flounder pretty badly the late few years, or lose it’s appetite for hard hitting investigation to bow to access or money from tech owners. The 404 team took their experience from vice and have built something pretty special already. The podcast is pretty good and allows you to get their top stories in audio format with extra personality and insights.
DCF4N

Favorite Tech Podcast

Also the only podcast I pay for, but also paying for the well written articles - bonus feed has the sweet subscriber only episodes with the go-hard music that I know everyone loves. Help us tech news nerds keep 404 findable!
Michael Pusateri

Good investigative reporting about the interwebs

The 404 Media team does an excellent job of disciplined reporting on tech & culture issues in a way that is clear and understandable to people that may not be terminally online. A refreshing tone from the cacophony of angry ranters that populate the pod-o-sphere.
weeping cherry

This is the best tech podcast I have found

I am always amazed at the level of journalism and commitment to research that the whole 404 Media team brings to all of their reporting. I am now a proud subscriber and I eagerly look forward to new episodes whenever they drop, especially since I can play them in the background as I do chores and errands (I don’t always have the capacity to sit down and read the articles so I’m very grateful for the audio version).
BoogerMoroni

every episode gets a listen

i can't say enough good things about this crew and their reporting. surprisingly even handed given the content and the nature of their coverage. a take on things that i wouldn't have reached for by default and a lack of reverence that is very refreshing.
arm twisted

Consistently best reporting on tech

404 Media is consistently one of the best sources for deeply reported, reality-based journalism on tech, including “AI”. The podcast provides deeper (and very engaging) discussions of a selection of stories each episode and is a fantastic way to stay up-to-date.
M.J.Red

Subscribe

Only podcast I pay for. Well worth it. Support independent journalism.
Amblin42

Great topics and good show

They go deep into interesting and important topics. Worth a listen.
Bread Pirate

If you’re interested in the intersection of tech, dark web, sex, govt surveillance this is the pod!

I’ve been following 404media since their inception by way of Remap Radio (formerly known as Waypoint). I immediately started listening to their podcast, and when I have time reading their articles. They ran a deal on their yearly subscription last Fall that I immediately jumped on and haven’t regretted it. I’m in a tight budget as a grad student, but I really value getting high quality news and supporting independent journalists. I like that I know my money is directly supporting the writers. Each of the cohosts are so cool and smart and I love feeling like I’m a fly on the wall listening to them talk about their latest scoops. I’m so excited to see where they take 404media moving forward. Cheers!
msl12345

A+

Smart, interesting, and necessary reporting. Keep it up!
Upgrayedd_

Uncompromising Tech Journalism

I have been a paying subscriber to 404 Media for a while now and it has been a great decision. The stories are deeply researched and well reported. Listening to Sam, Emanuel, Joseph and Jason talk about the stories they are reporting is extremely engaging. As someone who is a big tech enthusiast, but also deeply skeptical of many tech industry practices, the viewpoints presented by 404 are invaluable.
professor dane

best reporting on tech and politics

these folks are the real deal. they are doing serious, quality original reporting in all aspects of the tech world and its impact on politics, culture, and beyond. listen and support!
digitaltammi

A subscription to 404 Media is money well spent

became a subscriber after listening to two episodes almost a year ago. The reporters are covering topics that corporate media tends to miss or not cover at all. Technology is a major part of the world we live in and if you’re not reading tech news, you’re missing a big part of what’s going on.
GT in ID

Great podcast

If you want independent journalism I highly recommend 404 Podcast. I rely on their reporting for most of my information about the current situation in AI and tech industry. As well as issues around privacy and technology powered abuses.
Ace of Base10

Leading the Pack

The team at 404 provides comprehensive reporting days or weeks before the stories make it to mainstream media. Their reporting is highly detailed and uniquely relevant. Where lesser journalists “hand wave” their way to a conclusion, 404 goes out of their way to address any limitations or dead ends encountered in their investigations. I’m a paying subscriber and will for a long time!
Quattuor

Fantastic additions to their reporting

This podcast provides so much additional insight to the reporting done by 404 media. There’s so much more to their reporting that gets brought out in their conversations.
lexan71

Real Tech Journalism!

This is one of the best tech reporting podcasts I’ve come across. They’re not cheerleaders for big tech unlike other popular sites. They’re owned and operated by really talented and experienced reporters that do their own investigation and writing. Top notch!
Mouse2335

A Way to Stay Oriented in a Disorienting World

These people help me make some kind of sense of the tech world, and also occasionally validate my belief that there is no sense to be had in some tech spaces so it's time to stop trying to find the logic in them. Very helpful, and also generally entertaining.
Elteege

Unique stories and coverage

Love their reporting. They cover news that’s not getting picked up by bigger outlets.
Gaulk

👍

A good listen for empathetic, independent, and rigorous tech-oriented journalism.
jblobdog1992

Essential Journalism

I can’t say enough good things about this podcast. If you are even a little bit interested in tech news from an independent perspective, this is the show for you!
smallerdemon

Great Reporting and Discussions

404 Media as a podcast is great, but the real part of their operation is at the 404 Media website. Their reporting is thorough, well-sourced, well-written, and consist of sometimes revelatory stories that surprise you and other times confirmation of what you suspect all along behind the tech industry. It is one of two reporting related subscriptions I continue to pay for, and if I have to drop one ever it will not be 404 Media. They are on the long-term, permanent subscribe list in order to provide resources to reporters doing everything they can to make sure we know exactly how the tech industry kowtows governments and other influences as long as it makes their tech-bro friend rich.
gentlereminder

This is what journalism looks like

Independent in-depth investigative journalism about things that matter. Breaking news in tech and the world. Produced by a small cadre of professional journalists with high ethical standards for news reporting. This is one of the few news sources I subscribe to.
AKBnPDX

With so much chaos & hidden activity in our world…

It’s nice to have a podcast like 404 Media that seeks truth, exposes hidden tech uses, tells it like it is all with a good dose of humor & voice. Independently journalist owned, 404 Media podcast is a must listen to stay informed in this crazy world!
JonSnow78

Simply the Best Tech reporting online and irl

404 Media is the only truly reliable and in depth source of information about what actually is happening in tech and the social repercussions of it. They are always the first to talk about our shared online experiences a dig deep into what’s going on. Without it I would feel much less aware of my online surroundings
Johnnnnnn222

Support journalists

Good journalism is good
somenickname$@(&

Some of the best journalists in the business

These folks are industry vets and some of the few I trust. I mainly listen to the subscribers feed and I can attest it's worth my time. I don't read all their articles and so I get a glimpse of news I might not have otherwise read
rowdymouse

The only news podcast I listen to

I appreciate this podcast because it’s refreshing to hear knowledgeable, level-headed folks talking about the tech-related news of the week without too much formality or meandering. I’m a fan of 404’s written pieces, but sometimes the podcast format is more convenient and adds a little more context.
Discerning Iistener

Essential!

Essential listening.
LauraSJ

Real Journalism

404 Media a podcast hosted by real journalists. They do the footwork of journalism: researching topics, speaking to sources, requesting documents, and breaking new stories before reporting on them. Plus, they are a fun group to listen to and have a great way of interacting with each other that makes the news feel relevant and interesting. Highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for in-depth reporting with flair.
axemtitanium

A tech podcast about humans

Sam, Jason, Emanuel, and Joseph punch way, way, way above their weight in their respective beats. The podcast is a fantastic companion to their written reporting, which often goes into the practical realities of journalism. These guys are the real deal.
this A.O.

Note on the April 2nd 2025 show referencing animation

Inbetweeners have existed since the earliest days of animation. It was an entry level job that could be a stepping stone to director. You can check books on Disney or Warner Brothers as reference or ping animation historians with an online presence. Good podcast BTW
cosmographia

My favorite podcast right now

I’ve been binging all the episodes after discovering this podcast. The journalism is fantastic: it’s thorough and in-depth and there’s a lot the 404media team are reporting that I haven’t heard about anywhere else
LeftistTechBro

Good writing

Good show
JLoJax

Poorly sourced reporting

I really want to like this podcast but the reporting is so poorly sourced that the commentary is on the level of “vibes” and “people online are saying” and even those comments is not complete or accurate. Research better, people. It’s not a sin to know things.
Ashleyoftheriver

Must listen!

I love their discussions of the issues. Relevant and intelligent analysis of what is happening,
lu and ru fan

hot boomer takes

…from the kind of people who are proud they don’t get TikTok. A improvised centrist’s Tech Won’t Save Us
Azroute

Like it’s pretty good, like

Many good reports, but consider using AI for the good and edit out the constant use of “like”.
Gkstark

Unbearable

The one guy talks like a 13-year-old girl. If you took one pull of beer every time you heard “like” you’d be passed out within 5 minutes. Like, totally. But, like, really, he thinks he’s, like, so smart. Torturous.
Micah V

Essential listening

I learn something from every show and I’m a tech nerd who likes to stay on top of things.
tHe bE3s kNeeS1

Finally find Jason &Joesph from CYBER!!!!!!!!

Thank for not giving up on podcasting I never knew y’all made a new podcast haha that’s unfortunate for VICE!! Yeeeee haaaaa
PDXCrow

Unequaled value

404 Media must surely be the most efficient value in tech media that exists today. The output and consequential change that these four journalists are able to produce week after week is astounding. And the reporting and podcasts are just as efficient. You get the necessary context, the facts and implications plus any outcomes from their work with little to no fluff or filler, while they still maintain a sense of humor and personality that makes it feel very accessible and human. This is what quality journalism looks like.
whiteblazer

Good niche topics. Plodding and boring as heck

I could listen at 3x. Makes me want to jump off a cliff when i listen since its so humorless and meh. These folks talk so slow. Get an editor. Take out the pauses and stammers.
AndrewNeel

Brilliant, honest, accessible tech journalism

This podcast is restoring my hope in tech media. From the at-times absurd stories (about them scraping their own writing to create an AI-generated content site to show how that process works) to the breaking news (the Runway document link) this podcast and the team behind 404 Media is insightful, fun, and deeply trustworthy. The fact this company is journalist-owned is the cherry on top. Highly recommend.
We are dieing

Out put DB is too low

Hey guys, bass way to low and general output nearly half any other podcast. -12 db should your standard out level.
Cade2424

General review

Good in depth, well written, podcast enjoy listening to it. Very informative.
vwell

Simple effective journalism

This podcast is so refreshing. Strip away all the excessive production that many of the others seem to rely on, almost as a crutch, music and all, and you get this podcast. Talk to the person who wrote the story and get the information. It's succinct and covers stories that don't seem to be reported elsewhere, at least not as thoroughly. Really enjoy this podcast. Always gives me things to think about and share with others. Thank you. keep up the excellent work.
Sergio the BEAST

Following

I found the stories that these journalists write about very interesting & I became a personal fan of their writing & style so when they dropped their former bosses & started 404 media I had to follow! Keep up the great work!!
Royce1629

We need more independent journalism like this!

I love getting the daily newsletter article in my inbox, and I love the in-depth reporting this podcast provides just as much!

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.