I can easily see a role for podcasts here. It also depends on the type of podcasts.

Personally I have learned a lot by listening to a variety of podcasts on certain topics. I can say with certainty I would not as easily have 1) seen/heard different views, and 2) found other sources of information (like specific books), without listening to those podcasts. Whilst they shouldn't be your only source of information, I disagree that they have no educative value at all.

Perhaps the difference lies in actively listening rather than passively listening.