Legacy Media Constraints, and COVID Gaslighting Continues, with Bari Weiss, Nellie Bowles, and David Zweig | Ep. 621
Sep 6, 2023
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Join Bari Weiss, founder of The Free Press and insightful journalist, along with David Zweig and Nellie Bowles, both critical voices in journalism. They delve into the failures of legacy media and the importance of open debate. Topics include the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic, with Zweig challenging mask mandates and discussing government transparency. Bowles shares her experiences at The New York Times and the constraints faced by journalists. The trio also explores modern social dynamics, the sexual revolution's impact, and the ongoing discourse around women's choices and identity politics.
Public health officials have been misleading the public about the effectiveness of masks and their role in shutdowns.
Journalists have a responsibility to critically examine the evidence behind public health recommendations.
Mandating masks at the population level raises important questions about individual freedoms and net benefit.
The controversy surrounding the origins of COVID-19 and the lack of media coverage on the lab leak theory.
Deep dives
Misleading information on masks and shutdowns
Public health officials, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, have been misleading the public about the effectiveness of masks and their role in shutdowns. Despite evidence showing their limited efficacy at the population level, Fauci and others have downplayed the data and made contradictory statements. This lack of transparency has eroded trust and created a contentious atmosphere.
Importance of evidence-based journalism
Journalists have a responsibility to critically examine the evidence behind public health recommendations and not simply amplify the views of officials. Many public health experts and officials have made claims without providing sufficient evidence to support them. Honest and thorough reporting is crucial to ensure that the public receives accurate information.
The issue of mandating masks
Mandating masks at the population level raises important questions about individual freedoms and the net benefit of such measures. The CDC's guidance has often disregarded potential drawbacks and side effects, failing to provide a comprehensive picture of the issue.
The need for voluntary choices
Mask wearing should be a voluntary choice, allowing individuals and families to assess their own risk tolerance and make informed decisions. Imposing mandates disregards the fact that different people have different risk levels and preferences. It is important to prioritize individual freedom and personal responsibility when addressing public health measures.
Podcast Episode Summary
In this podcast episode, the host discusses the controversy surrounding the origins of COVID-19, specifically focusing on the lab leak theory. The host interviews David Asher, a former State Department official who led the investigation into COVID-19 origins. Asher claims that there is a massive cover-up and that there is a significant amount of classified and unclassified information being withheld by the government. The host expresses frustration at the lack of media coverage on this topic, questioning why more attention is not being given to the potential lab leak and the involvement of figures like Anthony Fauci. The episode also touches on the media's handling of COVID-19 reporting, specifically the use of sensational language to instill fear and the lack of accurate and unbiased reporting.
Controversy Surrounding Transgender Individual in Sorority House
Another topic discussed in this podcast episode is the controversy surrounding a transgender individual, Artemis Langford, who joined a sorority house at the University of Wyoming. The discussion highlights the conflicting views on transgender inclusion in single-gender spaces and the discomfort expressed by some sorority members regarding sharing their living space with a biological male. The host criticizes the American left's stance on self-identification and access to gender-specific spaces, noting that this perspective is out of step with broader liberalism and current developments in Europe. The episode also touches on media coverage of the issue, expressing concern over the lack of empathy for the women who felt uncomfortable and focusing instead on the transgender individual as the victim.
Gavin Newsom's Political Future
The podcast episode briefly addresses the political future of Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California. There is speculation that Newsom could potentially become a viable candidate on the national stage, possibly even replacing Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee. The host mentions some of Newsom's recent scandals, including his controversial handling of COVID-19 restrictions and an infamous French Laundry incident. The episode suggests that if Newsom were to run against a candidate like Donald Trump, it would create a fascinating dynamic due to Newsom's connection with Trump's family through his ex-wife, Kimberly Guilfoyle, and her relationship with Donald Trump Jr. The conversation ends with anticipation for an upcoming interview with Doug Brinkley.
It's "Free Press" day on The Megyn Kelly Show. Megyn Kelly is joined by Bari Weiss, founder and CEO of The Free Press, to talk about legacy publications and how they're failing, the way The Free Press is home to open debate and conversation, whether the sexual revolution was good for women or not, a viral video from a young woman talking about conservative commentators' recent comments about family values and single women, The Free Press highlighting a whistleblower at a gender clinic in St. Louis (and having it confirmed by the New York Times), and more. Then David Zweig, journalist for The Free Press and the Silent Lunch Substack, joins to discuss Anthony Fauci still misleading Americans about COVID masks, mask mandates coming back around the country, if the CDC is “gaslighting” us about COVID, Biden back to masking again, the politicization of COVID policy, his interview with a former state department official who reveals a "cover up" on COVID origins, whether the government is hiding information about COVID origins, why the media is ignoring this story, the truth about the new COVID "surge," and more. Then Nellie Bowles, reporter at The Free Press, joins to discuss the boundaries within legacy media, her experience at the New York Times, stories about being targeted for associating with Bari and having curiosity about stories that were not allowed to be covered, the media and left celebrating the transgender man who joined Kappa Kappa Gamma at the University of Wyoming, the media ignoring the discomfort of the sorority sisters and the allegations of inappropriate conduct, and more.
