Sharyl Attkisson, an award-winning investigative journalist renowned for exposing pharmaceutical industry cover-ups, dives into the real dangers facing journalists today. She discusses the surge of Big Pharma propaganda during Covid and critiques the selective nature of government-funded medical research. Sharyl shares her concerns about the growing conformity in the medical community, revealing how dissenting voices are suppressed. With insights on media manipulation and accountability, she advocates for transparency in health narratives.
Investigative journalists face real dangers and systematic efforts to silence dissenting voices, showcasing the struggle for truth in media.
The transformation of newsrooms from neutrality to political bias illustrates a shift towards partisan narratives in journalism today.
Pharmaceutical companies' manipulation of medical education undermines critical thinking among doctors, affecting the reliability of patient care.
Deep dives
Discrediting Researchers: Tactics Revealed
The podcast discusses the alarming tactics used to undermine researchers who challenge mainstream narratives in health and medicine. Specific examples are provided that showcase concerted efforts to ensure that dissenting voices are silenced. By focusing on personal accounts and experiences, the conversation emphasizes the lengths to which certain groups will go to discredit individuals who bring attention to controversial or uncomfortable truths. This highlights the manipulative strategies employed in the intersection of media, government, and pharmaceutical interests.
Changing Dynamics in Corporate Journalism
The speaker reflects on the evolving political climate within corporate newsrooms, particularly in the context of her experience at CNN and CBS. Once characterized by neutrality, newsrooms have seen increased political bias, especially during significant events such as elections. Personal anecdotes illustrate how a formerly balanced journalistic approach has shifted towards a more partisan narrative, often leading to a homogenous groupthink mentality. This transformation has resulted in journalism that is now seen as less about information and more about alignment with specific ideological perspectives.
Government Surveillance of Journalists
The discussion delves into shocking revelations of governmental surveillance of journalists, particularly highlighting one journalist's experience being monitored by the Obama administration. Evidence shows that extensive forensics were required to uncover the intrusions, suggesting a troubling norm in the treatment of those who hold power accountable. Despite the uncovering of this information, ongoing legal battles have yielded little accountability, raising concerns about the implications for press freedom. This scenario paints a broader picture of the relationship between government oversight and media, questioning the integrity of institutions entrusted with public accountability.
The Influence of Big Pharma on Medical Education
A critical examination of how pharmaceutical companies shape medical education emerges throughout the podcast, with particular reference to the Merck manual's influence on doctors' training. This educational manipulation leads to a lack of critical thinking among medical professionals, who are often taught to rely on biased information lacking in comprehensive assessments. Specific examples reveal that continuations of education are often run by individuals financially tied to major drug companies, impacting the integrity of the medical advice given to patients. By shining a light on these practices, the conversation urges for better scrutiny of the factual basis underlying medical guidance.
Propaganda Campaigns in Public Health Messaging
The podcast reveals the sophistication behind propaganda efforts that have shaped public opinion on health issues, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. It details how coordinated messaging has influenced the way the public perceives medical recommendations and the industries behind them. By recognizing trends in language and framing used by government and media, individuals can begin to question the validity of the information they receive. This insight encourages listeners to critically assess sources and narratives when it comes to significant health decisions, granting them tools to discern between genuine and orchestrated messaging.
Michael Malice (“YOUR WELCOME”) welcomes award-winning investigative journalist, Sharyl Attkisson, onto the show to discuss the real-life dangers of investigative journalism, the heightened Big Pharma propaganda during Covid, and the suspiciously selective nature of government-funded medical studies.
To learn more about Sharyl’s research into the cover-ups in the pharmaceutical industry, grab a copy of, Follow The Science, available now.