Judging Freedom

Aaron Maté : Media Myths Driving the Iran Crisis ?

Jan 15, 2026
In this engaging discussion, Aaron Maté, an independent journalist known for his sharp insights into foreign policy, examines the current unrest in Iran and the media narratives surrounding it. He reveals how U.S.-funded groups shape Western reporting, often inflating casualty figures. Maté critiques the influence of pro-Israel donors on major networks and highlights the hypocrisy of U.S. responses to Iranian protests compared to domestic issues. Their conversation also touches on the risks of sanctions and the implications of political rhetoric for peaceful demonstrators.
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INSIGHT

Normalcy Masks Deeper Economic Causes

  • Iran has reopened its airspace and held funerals, signaling a return to a degree of normalcy after unrest.
  • Sanctions and internal corruption remain core causes of public anger that won't be solved by external intervention.
INSIGHT

The Regime-Change Media Playbook

  • U.S. media often amplifies figures and groups funded by regime-change actors like the National Endowment for Democracy.
  • This amplification repeats a playbook that manufactures atrocity narratives to build momentum for intervention.
INSIGHT

Media Ownership Shapes Editorial Missions

  • Major media ownership can shape editorial lines to favor foreign governments and political aims.
  • The Ellicens' purchase of CBS is framed as buying influence to promote pro-Israel and pro-Trump narratives.
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