The Ripple Effect Podcast The Ripple Effect Podcast #252 (Ben Swann | Truth In Media)
Aug 5, 2020
01:05:00
Ben Swann has spent 20 years working as a journalist in broadcast news, behind and in front of the camera. Swann began his journalism career in El Paso, Texas as a news photographer, quickly working his way up to prime time anchor. Along the way, Swann’s investigative reporting transformed the laws in New Mexico regarding child abuse resulting in death, leading Governor Bill Richardson to recognize him for his tireless work on behalf of children. Swann also became a two-time Emmy Award winner and two-time recipient of the Edward R. Murrow Award. It was while covering Mexico’s drug war, Ben Swann discovered the national media was not reporting the truth of what was actually happening in Mexico’s drug war or the problems associated with the failed “War on Drugs” in the United States.
In 2010, Ben moved north to Cincinnati, Ohio, taking the prime time anchor seat at FOX 19 and soon became the producer/anchor of a viral segment titled “Reality Check.” Covering the 2012 Republican Presidential primary, Swann confronted problems in the American electoral process, the stranglehold of America’s two party system and the suppression of voters’ choices by mainstream media. During this time, Swann became the first journalist in the nation to interview and confront President Barack Obama face to face regarding the Constitutionality of his “kill list” and is the only journalist to confront Mitt Romney about the railroading of duly elected delegates during the 2012 Republican National Convention. Swann’s groundbreaking Reality Check was praised by journalism professors and publications such as The Atlantic as being “more than just a fact check.”
Swann’s bold approach created an internet firestorm strong enough for Swann to venture from his position as anchor at FOX 19 in Cincinnati, launching his own independent platform. Upon establishing the Truth In Media Project at BenSwann.com in June of 2013, Swann’s brand met immediate success.
Swann launched the Truth in Media project through crowdfunding and has created two seasons of “Truth in Media” videos that examined subjects such as the truth behind cannabis and CBD oil, the origin of ISIS, the roots of police militarization and more. These videos have millions of combined views online.
Ben Swann is now the industry leader for independent journalists, shattering the “Left vs. Right” paradigm, with a sharp focus on restoring Truth In Media. With over 750,000 combined social media followers, 120,000 YouTube subscribers, and monthly pageviews surpassing 2 million per month, Swann’s impact and influence is undeniable.
In May of 2015, Benswann.com expanded its role as a disruptive force in American media and made the transition to TruthinMedia.com, partnering with even more voices across the political spectrum. Also in 2015 Swann became the prime-time anchor for CBS46 in Atlanta. Swann brought his Reality Check series to Atlanta and saw unprecedented success. His Reality Check segments saw over 110 Million video views on social media, with engagement and viewership higher than CNN, Fox News and Vice News on Facebook.
In 2018, following a hiatus from Truth In Media and Reality Check, Swann revived both with thanks to an exclusive sponsorship from the network of Dash, a digital currency system. Swann became the first independent journalist to fund a news program exclusively with cryptocurrency. Dash’s revolutionary, decentralized network harmonizes with Swann’s longstanding commitment to objective and independent reporting. With this historic partnership, Swann, Truth In Media and Reality Check are continuing to speak truth to power. Today, Ben is a contributor on news and cryptocurrency issues for RT America as he works to build a free speech platform for news and entertainment sources.
In 2010, Ben moved north to Cincinnati, Ohio, taking the prime time anchor seat at FOX 19 and soon became the producer/anchor of a viral segment titled “Reality Check.” Covering the 2012 Republican Presidential primary, Swann confronted problems in the American electoral process, the stranglehold of America’s two party system and the suppression of voters’ choices by mainstream media. During this time, Swann became the first journalist in the nation to interview and confront President Barack Obama face to face regarding the Constitutionality of his “kill list” and is the only journalist to confront Mitt Romney about the railroading of duly elected delegates during the 2012 Republican National Convention. Swann’s groundbreaking Reality Check was praised by journalism professors and publications such as The Atlantic as being “more than just a fact check.”
Swann’s bold approach created an internet firestorm strong enough for Swann to venture from his position as anchor at FOX 19 in Cincinnati, launching his own independent platform. Upon establishing the Truth In Media Project at BenSwann.com in June of 2013, Swann’s brand met immediate success.
Swann launched the Truth in Media project through crowdfunding and has created two seasons of “Truth in Media” videos that examined subjects such as the truth behind cannabis and CBD oil, the origin of ISIS, the roots of police militarization and more. These videos have millions of combined views online.
Ben Swann is now the industry leader for independent journalists, shattering the “Left vs. Right” paradigm, with a sharp focus on restoring Truth In Media. With over 750,000 combined social media followers, 120,000 YouTube subscribers, and monthly pageviews surpassing 2 million per month, Swann’s impact and influence is undeniable.
In May of 2015, Benswann.com expanded its role as a disruptive force in American media and made the transition to TruthinMedia.com, partnering with even more voices across the political spectrum. Also in 2015 Swann became the prime-time anchor for CBS46 in Atlanta. Swann brought his Reality Check series to Atlanta and saw unprecedented success. His Reality Check segments saw over 110 Million video views on social media, with engagement and viewership higher than CNN, Fox News and Vice News on Facebook.
In 2018, following a hiatus from Truth In Media and Reality Check, Swann revived both with thanks to an exclusive sponsorship from the network of Dash, a digital currency system. Swann became the first independent journalist to fund a news program exclusively with cryptocurrency. Dash’s revolutionary, decentralized network harmonizes with Swann’s longstanding commitment to objective and independent reporting. With this historic partnership, Swann, Truth In Media and Reality Check are continuing to speak truth to power. Today, Ben is a contributor on news and cryptocurrency issues for RT America as he works to build a free speech platform for news and entertainment sources.