It is well documented that opioids destroy families and ruin lives. For the addict nothing on their lives matter more than the next fix. The Sackler family, majority shareholders of the Purdue Pharmaceuticals have been found culpable in the addiction of millions of Americans just so they could get rich.
Tell me how this is qualitatively different than the Murdoch’s addicting millions to toxic disinformation. It too ruins lives, breaks up families and it too has lead to thousands of preventable deaths.
It is true that the Murdoch’s can hide behind the first Amendment. Dangerous ideas are still protected speech. But free speech is about political ideas , and even the Supreme Court has recognized dangerous incitement such as yelling fire in a crowded theater is not shielded by the First Amendment.
I think fox et.al. are on solid ground when discussing politics, but I also believe they cross the line in their endless promotion of bad public health advice.
Opioid addicts will abuse drugs even if it costs them their life. Fox fanatics embrace false narratives even to the point that it kills them. The fact that they impose policies on their employees and yet persist in lying to their audience.
The law has found Alex Jones culpable for his lies about Sandy Hook. Clearly there are some limits to Free Speech and Jones crossed those lines simply to fatten his wallet.
Fox is spreading demonstrably false information leading to profound harm to thousands. Their viewers are less likely to get vaccinated and now refuse to wear masks because Sean and Laura, and Tucker told them not to.
In my opinion, after 750,000. Deaths can we admit the Rupert Murdoch is shouting fire in a crowded theater while his minions block the exits?
Discouraging public health measures is not a political act. It doesn’t lead to new laws or policies. They are doing it just to get richer and more powerful.
Your right to your opinion does not excuse cynical exploitation resulting in deaths. The Bill of Rights is not a suicide pact. Lies and more lies may bring in the money, but when those lies turn deadly there must be limits.
