Ben Rhodes

Um,

Are we at an all-time low, in your opinion, in terms of journalist safety and freedom?

Yeah.

I also think there's just so much ignorance in the US about what a journalist is and does.

I mean, I saw people, I saw a bunch of people on Twitter over the weekend, including like smart people that I respect saying things like, boy, you log on to X and it feels like the Iran protests are the biggest story in the world and they're being covered and talked about everywhere.

And then you go to the mainstream media and you're not seeing that.

And I'm just like, guys.

Retweeting a protester's video is easy and it's great and I'm glad you're doing it and the algorithm feeds you more, but journalists can't go to Iran because they'll get thrown in prison like my friend did.

Well, I also think people don't really respect and appreciate how hard the last elements you said there are to do, which is the honest, steely, and accurately part.

Because on social media, people don't care about that.

You can just say whatever you want, right?

You lose your job if you get it wrong.

Right.

Well, listen, thank you all for listening to this interview.

If you want to hear more about Jason's story, his time in even prison, how he got out, how it all played out, please go over to the 544 Days feed.

It's available wherever you get your podcasts.

It's an amazing show, amazing story.

And Jason, thank you so much for coming back on the show.

All right.

That's it for us today.