Infowars Facing Possible Shutdown

 

Infowars could be ending operation. Alex Jones can no longer keep the media empire going due to the lawsuits related to the reporting on the Sandy Hook Elementary  School shooting. Alex Jones has filed for bankruptcy and Infowars is now up for auction. Alex Jones was charged for defamation for asserting the shootings were nothing more than a hoax. The families of the victims are expected to get cash settlements from Infowars. Alex Jones is hoping to find a buyer for his media company, but that does not mean he would remain employed under new management. Some sources report that Roger Stone might be interested in the purchase of Infowars. Infowars has been active since 1999. When it launched very few news based websites were on the internet. The public was still getting their news from television and  corporate media. Infowars is known for conspiracy theories and right leaning ideology. However, Alex Jones does not favor the neoconservative political establishment. During the 2000s Jones was a critic of the Bush administration and objected to Hillary Clinton's foreign policy. Infowars was given more mainstream attention in 2016. The reason was based on Alex Jones supporting Trump and the concern about disinformation on the internet. Infowars was then banned from Youtube and other social media platforms. Infowars has published false claims, but corporate media has done the same. Fox News and CNN rarely retract false stories or correct their media bias. Alex Jones may not be the main target. The case and bankruptcy proceedings could be used as a blueprint for prohibiting independent media. By linking independent media to more fringe movements, it becomes a justification for shutdown. Content creators could be demonetized, accused of spreading disinformation, or face defamation charges. Alex Jones stated that he will find another platform to do reporting. With Free Speech Systems be part of the bankruptcy proceedings, it will be difficult. Broadcasting continues to evolve with culture and technology. Infowars was able to build with a niche audience and eventually was noticed by the mainstream media. 

Rush Limbaugh Mocks The Chinese Language And Hu Jintao (2011)

 

Rush Limbaugh conservative radio personality and talk show host has died at the age of 70. The repeal of the Fairness Doctrine gave rise to the domination of conservative talk radio. Rush Limbaugh was the leader of this making racism and xenophobia his business model. He appealed to a segment of the population that was deeply prejudiced  and more in favor of the Republican Party. Limbaugh's radio program would make commentary not just on domestic policy, but on foreign policy. When President Obama met with President Hu Jintao Limbaugh criticized the meeting as America caving to Chinese interests. The audio clip above is of Limbaugh mocking the Chinese language. He then claims it sounds no different from Japanese and there were no translators at the meeting. These claims were false, but they were stated for a purpose. Instilling fear in people helps with getting the Republican Party votes. China and its leaders from the Obama years to present  have been demonized as a threat. The Democratic Party also plays on this with the concept of   the Chinese challenge. The Hu Jintao presidency during this time was making significant successes in relations with African nations, which created tension with America. Economic competition continues to be a source of  contention  between the two countries. Before President Trump, Rush Limbaugh was already expressing anti-Chinese rhetoric. Rush Limbaugh is a reminder that racism is fostered through media outlets.