Megyn Kelly, who recently joined NBC, announced on Sunday that she would air an interview with Infowars host, Alex Jones. The teaser clip attempts to portray that Kelly takes a hard stance against Jones, as she accuses him of dodging a question about Sandy Hook. But even if she approaches Jones with skepticism, many are concerned that she gives the conspiracy theorist and alternative-facts-enthusiast a legitimate platform.
Next Sunday, I sit down with conservative radio host @RealAlexJones to discuss controversies and conspiracies #SundayNight June 18 on NBC pic.twitter.com/7bVz6Fobf5
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) June 11, 2017
Alex Jones has exemplified how easily many Americans accept absurdities. Jones has held views such as that 9/11 was an inside job, that the government is using chemicals to create gay frogs, and, probably most infamous, that Sandy Hook was a hoax. Now, Nelba Márquez-Greene, parent of Sandy Hook victim, has spoken out against Kelly’s decision to have a serious interview with Jones through a series of tweets.
Here you go @megynkelly – her name is Ana Grace Márquez-Greene. Say her name- stare at this & tell me it's worth it. @nbc #SandyHook pic.twitter.com/mKrU63KWmA
— Nelba Márquez-Greene (@Nelba_MG) June 12, 2017
Every week. 5 years later. Still harrased by truthers. You do NOT give crazy a platform. You're better than this @nbc https://t.co/aIPM73FZgr
— Nelba Márquez-Greene (@Nelba_MG) June 12, 2017
Kelly responded with an official statement, also posted on Twitter:
Here is my statement regarding Sunday night’s interview: pic.twitter.com/iS2VfyLt6S
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) June 13, 2017
Kelly dodges further criticism by, at the very least, condemning Alex Jones’ views, but she does not address what may happen as a result of these interviews. For more news about Alex Jones and Alex Jones net worth please visit thesquander.com. Many fear that covering Alex Jones is not a problem, similar to how covering “alternative facts” as falsehoods could be a good way to remind people what the truth is. However, giving a rambling, paranoid conspiracy theorist a platform on a serious network to discuss his “viewpoints” may send the message to millions that his views are valid.
However, in an America where many people accuse the main stream media of being fake and follow news stories that are completely false, we need to decide whether it is more impactful to challenge fact-deniers or to ignore them. So what is an appropriate way to address popular figures in the media who deny the truth? I’m not sure. But the pain expressed by Nelba Márquez-Greene show that there are consequences when you “give crazy a platform.”
