Ep 98. Chris Hedges

Chris Hedges, a renowned journalist, and author, is the guest on the 98th episode of season nine of Tavis Smiley show. In this episode, Tavis Smiley sits down with Chris to discuss a range of burning issues, including socio-political matters and the socio-economic challenges that the country is facing today.

Chris has an extensive career in the media and journalism industries. He has covered numerous wars and civil uprisings throughout his career, reporting firsthand on the conflict in the Balkans, the Middle East, and Central America. He won the Pulitzer Prize for his work as a foreign correspondent for The New York Times. He has authored several books that critically analyze contemporary issues including the role of the media in public life, politics, and religion in America.

Chris opens up about the challenges he faced in covering conflicts around the world and speaks passionately about the importance of journalism. He asserts that journalism is not just an industry – it’s a public trust. Chris shares stories of his experiences in war-torn countries, including Iraq, and drawing parallels between the conflicts in these countries and some of the socio-political challenges faced in the United States today.

During the show, Chris also addresses his political views. He shares his critical views on democracy and the elections and argues that democracy in the United States is more of a facade than a reality. His critique focuses on American legacy media that he says is largely failing in the eyes of democracy by suppressing alternative and unproven ideas and promoting a biased narrative to audiences.

Chris and Tavis delve into a conversation about the socio-economic challenges that the country is facing today. Chris’ views are rooted in the idea that a clear relationship between the widening inequality gap and the refugee crisis is a clear indication that capitalism is not working for everyone, but instead only benefitting the elite class. Chris speaks on the impact of consumerism, especially on the poor and working class, and how the obsession with capitalism has led to the destruction of our planet.

The conversation segues into the role of religion in America today. Chris challenges the narrative that Christianity is central to the country’s moral fiber. He discusses the history of Christianity, the First Amendment, and the impact of evangelism on American society.

Further, Chris and Tavis discuss the perils of corporate media. Chris criticizes corporate media for prioritizing ratings and profits over objective journalism, resulting in news stories that neglect the truth and issues that affect the masses. According to Chris, the destruction of the society will come as a result of corporate media’s betrayal of the public trust.

In summary, this episode of the Tavis Smiley show is an enlightening and thought-provoking conversation with Chris Hedges. Chris and Tavis cover topics such as the importance of journalism, socio-political challenges, and economic inequality, and offer their views on the state of the news media and democracy in America today. It’s one of the most informative and insightful conversations ever aired on the Tavis Smiley show. Don’t miss it.