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Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan
How big tech traps consumers and shafts creators
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The world’s most powerful media and technology companies use their market power to lock their customers into a relationship they can’t escape, while immiserating the creative people whose work the customers are paying for.
Companies like Amazon, Google, Facebook, Spotify, Clear Channel, Live Nation and Ticketmaster have generated enormous revenues for their shareholders while slashing the incomes of writers, journalists and musicians.
But it doesn’t have to be this way, say Cory Doctorow and Rebecca Giblin, who argue, as they explain in their new book, Chokepoint Capitalism, that it’s time to fight back against the power of big tech and big media.
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Should the Government drop Rent Pressure Zones - and what would replace them?
49:32|Micheál Martin's recent signalling of a possible policy shift regarding Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) has put housing policy back in the spotlight. On today's podcast Hugh discusses the evolving housing policy landscape with Michael Byrne, a housing researcher at UCD.Michael explains the limitations and impacts of RPZs on affordability and supply, and alternative systems of rent control that might replace it.They also discuss the growing role of institutional landlords and the complex tradeoffs involved in addressing supply, affordability, and rates of homeownership.Michael Byrne is a lecturer in political economy at UCD's School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice and the author of The Week in Housing blog on Substack.Did Micheál call Mary Lou a liar?
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41:11|Hugh speaks with Berlin correspondent Derek Scally about major political shifts happening in Germany ahead of the federal election later this month. Germany’s history has meant any cooperation between mainstream parties and the far-right has been an unbreakable taboo. Could that finally change?Seanad drama and the speaking rights impasse
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