Episode 18: Fake News Panic and the Silencing of Dissident Media

In this episode of Citations Needed, Nima Shirazi and Adam Johnson dissect the "fake news" phenomenon, exploring its origins, the motivations behind its propagation, and its impact on alternative media. They critique the mainstream media's role in amplifying the panic, the problematic definitions of "fake news," and the implications of tech companies acting as arbiters of truth. The hosts argue that the focus on foreign interference distracts from domestic issues and silences dissenting voices. They are joined by Chris Hedges, who offers further insights on how the fake news panic is used to marginalize critics of neoliberalism and corporate power, and how the mainstream media is complicit in this effort.