Fiasco Benghazi: Episode 5 - Greatest Hits
Sep 29, 2025
Alison Camerata, a former Fox News anchor, shares insights on the network's intense coverage of Benghazi and its impact on public perception. Greg Hicks, a State Department diplomat and whistleblower, discusses the chaos of the attack and his subsequent firing, while reflecting on the pressure he faced as he testified. David Brock, once a conservative journalist, delves into the history of anti-Clinton narratives and how Media Matters aimed to counter sensationalist claims, highlighting the intertwining of media, politics, and scandal.
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Fox's Outrage-First Newsroom
- Fox News amplified Benghazi by repeatedly framing it as an outrage-driven political story.
- Roger Ailes' preferences and producer routines shaped coverage more than objective reporting.
Clinton's Testimony Became A Soundbite
- Hillary Clinton testified before Congress in January 2013 and took responsibility for changes at State.
- Her heated line "what difference does it make" was clipped and used as a soundbite to imply callousness.
Scandal Laundering Predates Fox
- Conservative media machinery had long targeted the Clintons using kompromat and scandal seeding.
- Early projects like the Arkansas Project taught how to plant narratives that mainstream outlets might pick up.