In a world facing relentless attacks on truth and independent journalism, including the rise of AI and media consolidation, critical media literacy becomes a crucial tool for an informed public. The goal of these attacks is to create an ignorant and easily manipulated population, but independent journalists and communities must work together to fight against the powerful. Project Censored, celebrating its 50th anniversary, highlights vital independent journalism, while organizations like Movement Media Alliance work to pool resources and amplify lesser-heard voices. Critical media literacy equips individuals with the ability to question power, identify biases, and build solidarity, ultimately empowering them to take action and challenge those who seek to control the narrative.
Read More
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently claimed that China stopped buying American soybeans during the Biden administration due to a lack of respect, but this was quickly debunked by evidence showing robust purchases during that time. This statement highlights Leavitt’s willingness to distort facts in service of the president’s political agenda, a pattern evident in other recent statements. Specifically, Leavitt inaccurately asserted the economy was improving despite clear indicators of rising costs, a contracting manufacturing sector, and poor job growth. When confronted with these realities, Leavitt deflected criticism by accusing reporters of pushing “untrue narratives” instead of addressing the facts.
Read More
On Wednesday, Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) initiated impeachment proceedings against Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., citing abuse of power and a threat to public health due to the spread of misinformation. Stevens, along with numerous medical and public health organizations, accuse Kennedy of undermining scientific consensus and endangering lives. While the impeachment is unlikely to succeed in the Republican-controlled Congress, it highlights growing concerns within the scientific community regarding Kennedy’s actions. These groups, including the American College of Physicians and the Infectious Disease Society of America, have independently called for his removal.
Read More
To ensure the integrity of the upcoming Epstein file releases, Senators Durbin and Schiff have called for the accounting, analysis, and release of all chain of custody forms associated with the records. This demand comes in response to a law mandating the release of Epstein files by December 19th, with minimal redactions, and recent court rulings to unseal grand jury records. However, concerns persist regarding the Trump administration’s commitment to releasing the files untouched, especially given the FBI’s redaction efforts and discussions of withholding certain files due to “lawful” constraints.
Read More
Representative Haley Stevens, a Democrat, has introduced articles of impeachment against Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., citing his disregard for science and safety. This effort is unlikely to succeed due to the current Republican majority in the House and Senate. Kennedy, who assumed his role in February, has faced criticism for controversial decisions, including canceling funding for mRNA vaccines and dismissing CDC officials. Furthermore, Democratic Representative Al Green announced plans to file impeachment articles against President Donald Trump.
Read More
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed concern over the spread of white supremacist ideology and false claims of persecution against South Africa’s Afrikaner minority. These claims, amplified by figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk, pose a threat to the nation’s sovereignty, international relations, and national security. The US’s response has included boycotting the G20 summit and prioritizing white South African refugees, while falsely claiming a tolerance for violence and racism. These actions, coupled with the propagation of the “white genocide” narrative, are seen as attempts to undermine South Africa’s policies and global standing.
Read More
As flu season approaches, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his vaccine review panel are poised to significantly alter the American vaccine landscape. Kennedy, a former environmental lawyer with a history of promoting vaccine misinformation, has been questioning the safety and effectiveness of established vaccines, including those for newborns. His panel recently scrutinized the hepatitis B vaccine for infants, advocating for alternative treatments for diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella. These actions, driven by vaccine skepticism, threaten to undermine the efficacy of proven medical science and potentially impact public health.
Read More
Khamenei: Iran defeated US, Israel in June’s 12-Day War? Well, that’s certainly a statement. It seems the narrative being spun is that Iran emerged victorious from a conflict, specifically a 12-day war involving the United States and Israel. Considering the realities on the ground, and the nature of these claims, it feels like we’re entering the realm of the absurd, or perhaps, the hilariously delusional.
The common understanding, the one supported by readily available information, paints a very different picture. Iran’s claim of victory seems to be based on an incredibly loose definition of the word “win.” Let’s be clear, if the measure of victory is survival alone, then perhaps, technically, Iran “won.”… Continue reading
During a meeting with journalists, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to confuse the names of settlements in the Donetsk region, incorrectly stating that a battle for Komsomolsk was ongoing. Putin also reiterated false claims about the encirclement of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, as well as control over a significant portion of Siversk. This misidentification of locations and exaggerated reports of territorial gains follow previous inaccurate statements regarding the situation in the region. The statements suggest a disconnect between Putin’s assertions and the reality on the ground.
Read More
X, under Elon Musk’s ownership, introduced a feature displaying the country locations of user accounts, aiming to increase transparency. However, the accuracy of this feature was immediately questioned by security experts and former employees, who cited the ease with which location data could be manipulated. They expressed concerns that the feature could be easily exploited using tools like VPNs, potentially misleading users and creating a false sense of security. Despite being proposed previously, the implementation of this feature was reportedly met with internal reluctance due to these very concerns, and the possibility of it backfiring. This new feature follows a trend of tech companies attempting to combat inauthentic behavior, but as a result of its rollout, the feature’s ultimate usefulness remains unclear.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood