James O'Brien - The Whole Show It's like a racist groundhog day and it's absolutely exhausting
Sep 2, 2025
In this engaging discussion, the speakers tackle the escalating fear and anger over immigration post-Brexit, highlighting the resurgence of historical prejudices. They critique the alignment of mainstream politics with far-right narratives, emphasizing the societal impacts and divisive reactions to immigration policies. Personal encounters challenge misconceptions surrounding figures like Sadiq Khan, while the damaging role of media in shaping perceptions of asylum seekers is explored. The conversation also addresses the rise of populism amidst growing disillusionment with mainstream politics.
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Media Fear Fuels Political Distraction
- James O'Brien connects media fearmongering about immigrants to public outrage and political gain for wealthy media owners.
- He argues demonising migrants distracts from structural causes of decline and keeps some wealthy people powerful.
Issue Narrowing By Political And Media Echoes
- O'Brien highlights how public discourse narrows to immigration because politicians and media amplify it relentlessly.
- He warns that when mainstream parties join the chorus, it becomes impossible to escape the narrative.
Truth Alone May Not Win The Moment
- O'Brien questions whether sticking to truth alone preserves sanity when lies dominate discourse.
- He contrasts Orwell's advice with the intoxicating appeal of sensationalist media and network-style outrage.
