Scott MacFarlane

And I think one of the most fundamental concerns is,

with how media is attacking these issues is these public figures stand to gain if they're asked hard questions, if they're pushed, if they're pressed.

Them knocking the softballs out of the park does nothing for their approval ratings or for their credibility.

They actually want these tough questions, whether they know it or not.

You got to take these opportunities to drill down, make sure that there's no denialism of history, make sure there's no whitewashing of history, and do not allow conspiracy theories to sit out there.

You got to push back on them.

It was self-evident, I think, over the past 14 months when I would work on independent platforms, you know, the social media channels in which you have more of an intimate one-on-one conversation with people versus the big macro, you know, linear channels, that people were really

really engaging um they would they give you feedback they would they would like you responding to their feedback these are things you can't do in major television radio and major legacy media outlets you can't get that granular with people who are watching and what's more people loved when i would say no i'm not going to amplify that conspiracy theory i'm

I'm not going to show that January 6th White House website where they make up stuff about January 6th.

I'm not going to give you the link.

I'm not going to show you what it says.

It's just dangerous, malicious, malignant information.

And I think on a larger scale, Don, people appreciate when we don't strengthen, we don't fortify this conspiracy crap.

How did that go over?

People liked it, right?

People seem to like when you demonstratively, deliberately don't platform lies.

I know it sounds crazy, but when you take a live brief thing with a government official, you take the risk of platforming lies.

If you're not going to cut it off or punch back on each iteration of a lie, you're doing a disservice to the public.

And the public knows it.

People are smart.