Bad Faith Episode 510 - Matt Taibbi's Free Speech Blind Spot (w/ Russell Dobular & Keaton Weiss)
Sep 17, 2025
Russell Dobular and Keaton Weiss, co-hosts of Due Dissidence, engage in a thought-provoking discussion about Matt Taibbi's selective coverage of censorship, particularly regarding pro-Palestinian speech. They tackle the pressures journalists face when navigating complex narratives, especially around sensitive topics like the Israel-Palestine conflict. The conversation also critiques the emotional stakes and real-life consequences of online discourse, all while highlighting the challenges of maintaining free speech in a polarized landscape.
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Episode notes
Pressure Over Ideology Explains Avoidance
- Russell argues Taibbi's avoidance of Israel coverage isn't ideological evolution but likely coercion.
- He frames the choice as picking which 'mafia family' of power to submit to.
Taibbi's Tweet: Arguments Are Futile
- Taibbi once tweeted that arguing about Israel-Palestine is futile because no one is persuadable.
- Briahna contrasts that with his past deep knowledge on the topic from decades earlier.
Missed Persuasion Opportunity With Conservative Audience
- Keaton emphasizes Taibbi's platform could persuade conservative audiences if he covered censorship and Palestine.
- Failure to do so wastes unique leverage to shift views.
