Why We Self-Censor
On Wednesday, I posted the text from my lecture at Stanford, “Self-Censorship, Social Information, and the Conditions of Public Reason.” I also discussed the lecture’s content and how it went over in the room on stream with my editor and writer, Mark Sussman. So for those of you who want to supplement the lecture with a less formal break-down (or simply don’t want to read a lengthy text), I’m making that segment of the conversation available here.
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President Donald Trump said 32,000 people were killed during January protests in Iran at a White House news briefing, without providing a source for the figure. Reports cited by CBS News estimated between 12,000 and 20,000 deaths, while Human Rights Activists in Iran reported more than 50,000 arrests. Iran’s foreign minister dismissed the U.S. claims and demanded evidence, saying Tehran’s official figures are far lower than Trump’s estimate. U.S. forces have moved the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group closer as national security officials said troops are prepared for possible strikes. Left- and center-leaning coverage emphasized the lack of sourcing for the 32,000 figure and Iran’s demand for proof, while right-leaning outlets framed the unrest as a “clampdown” and highlighted a “riot death toll,” placing less focus on questions about the source.
That detailed analysis is exactly why I rely on Ground News. In moments like this, where claims and counterclaims collide, it lets you step back, compare perspectives, and understand how the narrative is evolving across the media landscape.
Here’s why I recommend it:
See the full picture: Compare how left, center, and right sources cover the same story
Reveal blindspots: Instantly see what one side covers and the other side ignores.
Dig deeper: See insights including headline comparisons, outlet reliability, and even the ownership behind publications
If you care about cutting through narrative spin and seeing the full picture, Glenn Show readers can get 40% off the unlimited access Ground News Vantage plan at ground.news/glenn.