On the consequences of consequentialism: Dr. Robert Malone tackles advocacy journalism

Dr. Robert Malone analyzed the dangers of (post)modern journalism at an event organized by the Liberty Forum of Silicon Valley and Values Advocacy Coalition. While citizens instinctively expect the media to spread truth, some schools of thought—particularly “advocacy journalism”—instead filter the truth to achieve fixed goals. Quotes from Dr. Malone’s talk below. To receive daily updates of new Opp Now stories, click here.

(1:39:15–1:41:49)

Another big thing that has been difficult, I think, for a lot of us to come to terms with, that I’ve had to come to terms with, because of the attacks and things that I’ve observed, is many of us still believe that our opponents act in accordance with some sort of ethical structure. We expect them, we expect them to be fair. And this particularly comes out with the corporate media…

My point is none of this is fair, and everybody has got to get over it… They will do anything because the [ends] justify the [means].

(2:01:13–2:01:47)

Now I want to talk about advocacy and solutions journalism… this is what they teach now all the time. You wonder why we don’t have any decent journalism anymore. It’s because they’ve all become advocacy journalists.

Definition of advocacy journalism is “journalism that advocates a cause or expresses a viewpoint.” The definition of propaganda from the same source: “ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one’s cause or damage an opposing cause.” They’re the same thing. Advocacy journalism is propaganda.

Watch the whole thing here.

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