Andrew Schulz's Flagrant with Akaash Singh
Andrew Schulz's Flagrant with Akaash Singh
"I feel like everybody's revealed it except them, it's like everybody it's what is the Emperor's New Clothes, it's like everybody knows that they're naked but they refuse to acknowledge that they're naked." — Andrew Schulz
"You don't need to be the most trusted news source, you need to be the most trusted sources gonna confirm my feelings." — Akaash Singh
"The truth is an important one, the lies more entertaining, like that's just life at this point." — Akaash Singh
The discussion centers on the media's coverage of Joe Rogan's use of ivermectin for COVID-19. Speakers critique how news outlets, particularly CNN, have framed the narrative, suggesting ivermectin is solely a "horse dewormer" despite its prescription for human use and Nobel Prize recognition. This is presented as an example of media bias, where outlets allegedly prioritize fueling opposition to figures like Rogan over accurate reporting. The episode posits that podcasts have emerged as a significant "third-party new source," challenging traditional media's dominance, which in turn motivates established outlets to discredit alternative platforms.
A significant portion of the conversation explores the broader motivations behind news reporting, suggesting that many outlets have abandoned impartiality in favor of partisan narratives. This is illustrated by examples of both right-wing and left-wing media sensationalizing stories for emotional impact, akin to comedians seeking outlandish premises for entertainment. The speakers contend that the public increasingly seeks content that confirms their existing beliefs and feelings, rather than objective facts, leading to a decline in trust for traditional news sources.
The episode further delves into specific instances of alleged journalistic malpractice, such as the Rolling Stone article about a hospital refusing gunshot victims due to ivermectin overdoses, which was later found to be based on an unverified account from a former doctor. Similar examples are drawn from right-wing media concerning the alleged abandonment of military dogs in Afghanistan. The consensus is that these outlets exploit emotionally charged narratives, like animal welfare, to reinforce partisan viewpoints, even when facts contradict the initial sensational claims.