EPISODE · Mar 12, 2025 · 28 MIN
Mainstream Media's Blind Spot: Lessons from Claud Cockburn on the Rise of Nazism (rewind)
from Laura Flanders and Friends: Solutions-Focused Progressive Perspectives on Politics, News, and Culture · host Laura Flanders
Discover how Claude Cockburn's guerrilla journalism foresaw the rise of fascism in the 1930s and challenged mainstream media narratives.This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to https://LauraFlanders.org/donate Thank you for your continued support!Description: Mainstream media has a lot to account for in 2024, but go back 90 years, and prestigious publications have often failed to see when things were so clearly wrong. In 1930s Germany, many journalists downplayed Adolf Hitler’s ascension to power, with the New York Times writing “There is no warrant for immediate alarm…The more violent parts of his alleged program he has himself in recent months been softening down or abandoning.” But one young British journalist who, seeing what was happening, quit his job with The London Times and founded The Week, a newsletter that became famous for its opposition to fascism and the Western powers that were enabling it. His name was Claud Cockburn, and he’s the subject of a newly-released biography by his son, Patrick Cockburn, “Believe Nothing Until It Is Officially Denied: Claud Cockburn and the Invention of Guerrilla Journalism,” out now via Verso Books. Patrick is an award-winning journalist himself, with a long expertise in the Middle East. And Patrick is Laura Flanders’ uncle; Claud is her grandfather. How did mainstream media miss what Claud knew about the rise of Nazis, and how did his guerilla journalism make an impact? And why is Claud’s story so relevant now? All that, plus a commentary from Laura. (anchor episode originally released November 15th, 2024)Guest: Patrick Cockburn, Journalist, and author including “Believe Nothing Until It Is Officially Denied: Claud Cockburn and the Invention of Guerrilla Journalism”, Verso Books. Watch the broadcast episode cut for time at our YouTube channel and airing on PBS stations across the country Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes:• Stephanie Flanders on A Trump Economy & What to Watch in The Ultimate Election Year, Watch / Podcast: Abridged, Uncut Conversation• Arundhati Roy: Freedom, Fascism, Fiction and the Pandemic Portal, Watch/ Podcast: Abridged, Uncut Conversation• Laura’s Commentary, F-Word: Bodies, Borders, Resistance, Rebirth: Arundhati Roy, Podcast• Patrick Cockburn on Syria, Watch Related Articles and Resources:• Opinion: Is Trump a fascist? Probably - but not like those of the 30s, by Patrick Cockburn, November 9 2024, iNews• Opinion: Netanyahu knows the US can’t restrain him now, by Patrick Cockburn, October 2, 2024, iNews• Most political disasters are overstated - not this one, by Patrick Cockburn, November 6, 2024, iNews Full Episode Notes are located HERE. They include related episodes, articles, and more. Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O’Conner-Senior Consulting Producer. FOLLOW Laura Flanders and FriendsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraflandersandfriends/Blueky: https://bsky.app/profile/lfandfriends.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraFlandersAndFriends/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraflandersandfriendsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFLRxVeYcB1H7DbuYZQG-lgLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lauraflandersandfriendsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/lauraflandersandfriendsACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel
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Synopsis: M a i n s t r e a m m e d i a ' s h i s t o r y o f o v e r l o o k i n g c r u c i a l m o m e n t s : F r o m 1 9 3 0 s G e r m a n y t o t o d a y , w h a t h a v e w e l e a r n e d ? This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to https://LauraFlanders.org/donate Thank you for your continued support! Short Description: In this compelling interview, award-winning journalist Patrick Cockburn joins Laura Flanders to discuss his latest book, Believe Nothing Until It's Officially Denied, a deep dive into the life and legacy of Claud Cockburn. A pioneering journalist and relentless critic of power, Claud Cockburn was among the earliest voices to sound the alarm on the rise of fascism in 1930s Europe—often long before mainstream media caught on. Patrick Cockburn shares his discoveries from declassified MI5 files, shedding light on the influence of Cockburn’s underground newsletter, The Week, and the challenges of exposing inconvenient truths in times of crisis. The discussion draws striking parallels between Claud’s era and today’s media landscape, examining how governments and mainstream outlets often don't. Guest: Patrick Cockburn, Journalist, and author including “Believe Nothing Until It Is Officially Denied: Claud Cockburn and the Invention of Guerrilla Journalism”, Verso Books.
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Mainstream Media's Blind Spot: Lessons from Claud Cockburn on the Rise of Nazism (rewind)
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