Who’s Controlling the Message? A Deep Dive into Alabama’s Conservative Media Machine

In an era where public trust in the media is waning and partisan lines increasingly dictate coverage, Alabama stands out as a battleground for narrative control. With outlets like Yellowhammer News and 1819 News rapidly expanding their digital and radio presence, the question isn’t just what news gets reported, but who shapes the story. This investigation examines three of Alabama’s most influential media organizations, AL.com, Yellowhammer News, and 1819 News,and the forces behind them.

Legacy and Longevity: AL.com

Owned by Advance Publications (parent company of Condé Nast and Left Wing Echo chamber Reddit.com), AL.com remains Alabama’s largest traditional news outlet. It offers extensive coverage of state politics, crime, education, and sports, with an editorial stance that leans moderately left. Funded primarily through digital advertising, subscriptions, and syndication, AL.com caters mostly to urban and suburban audiences.

While AL.com is often criticized for being out of touch with rural, conservative Alabama, it maintains a reputation for journalistic rigor and transparency. The outlet consistently supports issues like abortion access, diversity initiatives, and government accountability.

Yellowhammer News: The Strategists Behind the Headlines

Yellowhammer News, part of YHN Media Group, is owned by GOP political consultant Paul Shashy and media entrepreneur Thomas Harris. The outlet openly embraces a pro-business, conservative viewpoint, frequently echoing Republican talking points. Shashy’s simultaneous role as a political consultant to prominent Alabama lawmakers, including Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville, raises questions about editorial independence.

The Yellowhammer Radio Network amplifies its reach, distributing hourly news updates to over 30 affiliate stations across the state. These short broadcasts, offered free through a barter system, serve as an efficient platform to disseminate conservative narratives, managed by in-house anchors Scott Chambers and Elisabeth Chramer.

1819 News: Watchdog or Mouthpiece?

Founded in 2021 with a $1 million seed grant from the conservative Alabama Policy Institute (API), 1819 News now operates independently under CEO Bryan Dawson. The outlet brands itself as a watchdog for Alabama values but leans heavily into Christian nationalist, populist conservative ideology.

1819 News hosts “Alabama Unfiltered Radio,” a live talk show airing on major stations including Talk 99.5 in Birmingham and 93.1 WACV in Montgomery. The program, co-hosted by former State Senator Scott Beason, Amie Beth Shaver, and Allison Sinclair, champions socially conservative viewpoints under the guise of cultural commentary. The outlet’s two-minute news bulletins, voiced by Andrea Tice, air on multiple regional stations, embedding 1819’s messaging into Alabama’s talk radio ecosystem.

Political Ties and Conflicts of Interest

Both Yellowhammer and 1819 News maintain deep ties to Alabama’s conservative political machinery. Paul Shashy’s dual role as campaign consultant and media owner blurs the lines between political advocacy and journalistic integrity. Meanwhile, 1819 News frequently features interviews with Republican officials such as Attorney General Steve Marshall and State Senators Will Barfoot and Lance Bell.

Critics highlight a lack of transparency in funding and editorial processes, particularly for 1819 News, given its origins in the Alabama Policy Institute,an organization known for lobbying against public education and social programs.

Controversies and Criticism

1819 News has faced pushback for its aggressive campaigns against public education reforms, LGBTQ+ rights, and diversity initiatives, with detractors branding it a cultural warfare platform rather than a neutral news source. Yellowhammer News was implicated in national investigations as a key player in anti-union efforts within Alabama, using its media channels to cast doubt on worker organizing.

AL.com, while occasionally accused of editorial bias, benefits from clearer institutional separation from partisan interests, bolstering its credibility among mainstream audiences.

Media Expansion into Radio

Yellowhammer News operates the YHN Radio Network across 31+ stations, delivering conservative-leaning news updates free to affiliates, thus embedding its messaging widely.

1819 News leverages “Alabama Unfiltered Radio” and two-minute news segments on several talk radio stations, aligning closely with Alabama’s top right-leaning broadcast outlets to magnify its influence.

Case Study: Governor Ivey’s Firing of Admiral Kent Davis

In 2025, Governor Kay Ivey’s dismissal of Admiral W. Kent Davis, head of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, sparked heated debate. Each outlet’s coverage reveals their distinct editorial perspectives:

• AL.com maintained a neutral, fact-driven approach, emphasizing Ivey’s constitutional authority, the State Board’s rejection of her firing request, and Davis’s subsequent lawsuit alleging wrongful termination and defamation.
• Yellowhammer News sided with Governor Ivey’s narrative, framing the board’s opposition as “orchestrated theater” and painting Davis as uncooperative amid ARPA fund controversies, giving prominence to Ivey’s justifications.
• 1819 News depicted the firing as political retaliation against a whistleblower, emphasizing allegations of abuse of power and framing Davis as a victim fighting for accountability.

The Bigger Picture

The divergent coverage of Governor Ivey’s firing of Admiral Kent Davis exemplifies Alabama’s fractured media landscape, where political allegiances heavily influence the news narrative. This fragmentation challenges citizens’ ability to discern fact from partisan framing.

As Alabama heads toward critical elections, media literacy and transparency about ownership and funding become essential for an informed electorate. Understanding who controls the message,and why,is crucial to preserving a healthy democratic discourse.

Sources: AL.com (AP News), Yellowhammer News, 1819 News, Truthout, Alabama Policy Institute, public records.