The National Press Club of Australia cancelled my talk on how the media, by amplifying Israeli lies, have betrayed Palestinian journalists, 278 of whom have been assassinated by Israel.
1. No finer example of "Israeli democracy" than shutting down the people's right to know.
2. "It is true that I know only one side of the picture from the seven years I spent covering Gaza." It is also true that Edward R. Murrow once said of a related example of depravity, "Some stories have no other side."
As Murrow often commented extemporaneously, with variations on a theme, you've prompted me to search for the original quote, which is this:
“I’ve searched my conscience, and I can’t for the life of me find any justification for this, and I simply cannot accept that there are on every story two equal and logical sides to an argument.”
Slaughtered children, targeted by IDF snipers in the head, chest, and genitals; pregnant Palestinian women shot and killed by courageous IDF snipers, claimed as "2 for 1" kills... and the prime minister of this foul, putrid, illegitimate state is allowed to speak, lecture, insult, propagandize before the UN...?
My God ( if I can use that word ) Chris. As an Australian, I can only offer my heartfelt and abject apologies for my Govt. Craven cowards that they are.
As a longtime follower of you work I support you position 100% and I reject my Govt' position 110%.
If you think that the regime in Canberra would not lean on the NPCA to withdraw the invite, then I have a bridge to sell.
To be fair, it probably isn't necessary. The NPCA members know full well what kinds of coverage will get you juicy insider access, off the record interviews, scoops, awards and plaudits, and what kinds of coverage will you assigned to cover allegations of corruption in the bidding for public latrines in Alice Springs and editors pulling long faces in closed door meetings to discuss your career.
For most humans most of the time, the fastest and surest way to wind up dead or seriously disadvantaged has been at the hands of fellow humans. At the same time, "our group", whether by faith, family, tribe, regiment, whatever, are the humans that they can trust to have their backs.
Therefore, whatever else happens, whatever those humans have to do, believe absurdities, blindly follow barking insane leaders, parrot obvious lies to our detriment, do or suffer terrible things, but please whatever you do, please don't kick us out of the group!
What this also means is that when humans are presented with incontrovertible proof that the group narrative is wrong or that the group leaders are mad or charlatans or worse, rather than change leaders or change beliefs or change groups, most people, most of the time will instead double down. Witness the behavior of cultists.
The process is called "cognitive dissonance" and it is abundantly documented. As alluded to earlier, there are entire religions organized around the principle.
Cognitive dissonance is not limited to stupid people. In fact, the intelligent are at least as prone, perhaps because they are better at rationalizing. In fact, much so-called "knowledge work" is basically learning symbol manipulation in order to rationalize something.
I think for some unknown reason you're missing the point. Where is the platform for him to speak elsewhere? Obviously he accepted their invite and was interested in giving his perspective on the killing of Palestinian journalists who are targeted by Israel, and I think they are the only journalists allowed in the country.
It is not just journalists. You should visit their home page and see the list of patrons - former ministers and corporate heads. "Fellow so-called ‘journalists’ did this" because they like to be petted by the Big Club.
If Israel woke up tomorrow and every Palestinian on the face of the earth were dead, it would still have the very same problems as before. Their issues, just as those of us all, are not external, but live in darkened hearts and minds.
You’re exactly right to trumpet censorship for the state abuse it is. Thank you, Chris, for keeping us informed. When people are oppressed and deplatformed they often feel the “bad news” reflects negatively on them, they shouldn’t, yours is another medal in the battle for truth & justice.
I don't think Hedges feels this is a negative reflection on him, and it isn't, but a decision that reflects very badly on them. Time will reflect their complicity in a genocide made by their cowardly decision.
Another Australian here. I greatly dislike the gutless Australian government, but I believe it is extraordinarily unlikely that the government leaned on the NPCA in any way. In this country, a great deal of leaning is done directly on the Press by Israel's supporters. And, after many years of this, sometimes not much leaning has to be done at all - it is just understood that certain journalistic actions aren't good for career progression.
First of all Cointelbro why do you take on such a demeaning attitude when addressing others who present a different perspective then your own? You adopt such an all knowing sense of superiority, and it's quite offensive.
I'm no expert in regard to what's going on in Australia in regard to Israel, but I do know the relationship Australia has with Israel at this point in time is not rock solid like it use to be, and I'm sure it's rather large Jewish population is not happy, as well as others who felt their alliance was a big security plus. To be succinct there is a lot of controversy going on in regard to Israel in Australia. So you can't sit back and claim this was solely due to a separate private entity making an independent decision. I don't think they did! By the way your condescending tone is quite offensive.
In 1939 the great Marion Anderson was scheduled to perform in Constitution Hall in Washington D. C. The Daughters of the American Revolution refused to allow Anderson to sing because the audience was integrated.
The concert was then moved outdoors to the Washington Mall where, instead of the 3,700 people who had bought tickets to the Hall, she sang to an enthusiastic audience of 75,000.
The power is always with the people. The trick is in how to get them to use it.
Ah yes, another so-called “civilized” nation and institution shows it is anything but. Yes indeed, they need to keep covering up the Israeli genocide which is simply a figment of our imagination according to their narrative. We are living in an Orwellian novel and there won’t be a happy ending. What is going on in Gaza to the Palestinians is coming for the rest of us as the Oligarchs feed their empty souls with the everyone else. There are no words in any language to describe the horror of what “humanity” has wrought upon each other and the world by these monsters. Wailing is what is needed instead of words. Endless wailing and endless general strikes and boycotts.
In America Israel owns US, AIPAC, and that has got to change. That has to be something that becomes well known!!!!!!!!!!!!! Israel has Trump wrapped around their finger.
I strongly agree Fran. Consider that 88% of US Senators and representatives get AIPAC money tells us everything we need to know about who owns / controls the US government. I believe the website is: trackaipac.com where one can find out for themselves who's on the take. I live in a very Blue state (I call it "Blutopian") and all 5-of our elected officials are on the take from AIPAC. Yet, when I've mentioned this recently to a few blindly loyal Democrats they were angry at me for sating that fact - can you say "lesser of two evils" and group think is alive and well (very un-well actually) here. We aren't ever going to make progress with this type of thinking.
Most people who think they are politically knowledgeable, are not. My brother with a PhD thinks tuning into MSNBC and Maddow tells him all that he has to know. Whether it's the news on TV, or in print, it rarely operates without a political bias, so nothing knew when it comes to your friends. People are not made aware of how much control Israel operates within this country, and no doubt many will view that statement, critical of Israel, as anti-Semitic. "Israel Seizes Control of U.S. TikTok Algorithm as Zionist Social Media Takeover Accelerates.' Oh, is this not good.
What you describe Fran is much the same as my experience. Friends of mine with advanced degrees are always dismissive of what I say and especially of things I try to share (over the past 20-years more or less) with them of Chris Hedges writings especially. These people cannot imagine that I might actually know something that they do not know and will become angry when I criticize the Democrat Party (I have never voted Republican). As you say, most people have no idea how much control Israel has over our government. I hope this is changing. I appreciate your comments and knowledge - thank you.
Many fellow citizens simply are disinterested and detached. Unless you pursue alternative investigative outlets, almost religiously, your disinterest melds with your vision of government from high school, maybe college. If you have more than a few decades on your tread, you are in severe jet lag about the truth of dynamics today. People hate to be wrong as much as they “have" to be right. Why are folks disinterested? Good question. I wonder if it has anything to do with their felt sense of courage? Or a way to avoid guilt with its built in energy of the need to make amends, to act in accordance with Higher Self?
Very insightful comment Selena. I am too often surprised at how some people have not moved beyond or even seem interested in challenging beliefs they were fed from grade school on, i.e., the US is the greatest (ever) country on earth, our culture and lifestyle is the best, we live in the best Democracy, so on and so forth. For them, believing these statements without question or challenging the validity is unnecessary - they eat it with a spoon and expect others do and should as well. From a very young age I could tell that what I was told was true and what I saw my elders do were not in alignment - I trusted this observation from that point on and never looked back.
The relentless Zionist lobby how desperate they are to keep the truth being reiterated they keep proving this with every cancellation etc we all hold you in high regard Chris the best of the best your opinions & in-depth analysis keep us well informed .. respect ‘ thank you for always speaking truth to power.
The National Press Club of Australia is a disgusting bunch of craven, genocide-enabling worshippers of imperial power. You wouldn’t want to go near the place. The putrid stench of rotting Nazi flesh would turn your stomach.
You’re amazing. You can always speak at the standing room only Media Sanctuary who beautifully record and post your crying, mournful, elegiac sentences bringing form and substance to the American corporate criminality of illegal occupation and genocide.
FIFA and UEFA are meeting about whether to expel Israel from their tournaments. Take action today, because actions of this kind may be one of the only things that matters to those committing the atrocities against the Palestinian people. Tell FIFA to ban Israel from playing in the 2026 World Cup:
what an important peace. thank you Mr Hedges for the immensely truthful and brave work you have been doing as a journalist and as a human being. may God bless you. it's a shame beyond words that they would censor you even after 2 years of live-streamed genocide. God sees it and His reckoning will be severe.
Coupla comments...
1. No finer example of "Israeli democracy" than shutting down the people's right to know.
2. "It is true that I know only one side of the picture from the seven years I spent covering Gaza." It is also true that Edward R. Murrow once said of a related example of depravity, "Some stories have no other side."
Also - take action on "Israeli 'Democracy' "
Find a viable Australian sponsor and give the speech the same day as it was to be given.
Short of that put an updated speech video on The Chris Hedges Report for the entire world to see.
-This is posted below.
An excellent quote.
As Murrow often commented extemporaneously, with variations on a theme, you've prompted me to search for the original quote, which is this:
“I’ve searched my conscience, and I can’t for the life of me find any justification for this, and I simply cannot accept that there are on every story two equal and logical sides to an argument.”
A little more eloquent.
🙏🏽
Slaughtered children, targeted by IDF snipers in the head, chest, and genitals; pregnant Palestinian women shot and killed by courageous IDF snipers, claimed as "2 for 1" kills... and the prime minister of this foul, putrid, illegitimate state is allowed to speak, lecture, insult, propagandize before the UN...?
Σας ευχαριστώ, Αρετή Σπυροπούλου.
Australia wags its tail joyfully at the command of its American Master.
Yep....really noticed that when I was doing a doctorate at Australian National University
because the host city is Canberra.
you mean at the murderjew master.
Fuck that antisemitic noise.
My God ( if I can use that word ) Chris. As an Australian, I can only offer my heartfelt and abject apologies for my Govt. Craven cowards that they are.
As a longtime follower of you work I support you position 100% and I reject my Govt' position 110%.
If you think that the regime in Canberra would not lean on the NPCA to withdraw the invite, then I have a bridge to sell.
To be fair, it probably isn't necessary. The NPCA members know full well what kinds of coverage will get you juicy insider access, off the record interviews, scoops, awards and plaudits, and what kinds of coverage will you assigned to cover allegations of corruption in the bidding for public latrines in Alice Springs and editors pulling long faces in closed door meetings to discuss your career.
Law is meaningless. Enforcement is the only thing that matters.
Speaking specifically of the United States, the Constitution has long been a dead letter.
Humans are masters of rationalization.
For most humans most of the time, the fastest and surest way to wind up dead or seriously disadvantaged has been at the hands of fellow humans. At the same time, "our group", whether by faith, family, tribe, regiment, whatever, are the humans that they can trust to have their backs.
Therefore, whatever else happens, whatever those humans have to do, believe absurdities, blindly follow barking insane leaders, parrot obvious lies to our detriment, do or suffer terrible things, but please whatever you do, please don't kick us out of the group!
What this also means is that when humans are presented with incontrovertible proof that the group narrative is wrong or that the group leaders are mad or charlatans or worse, rather than change leaders or change beliefs or change groups, most people, most of the time will instead double down. Witness the behavior of cultists.
The process is called "cognitive dissonance" and it is abundantly documented. As alluded to earlier, there are entire religions organized around the principle.
Cognitive dissonance is not limited to stupid people. In fact, the intelligent are at least as prone, perhaps because they are better at rationalizing. In fact, much so-called "knowledge work" is basically learning symbol manipulation in order to rationalize something.
I think for some unknown reason you're missing the point. Where is the platform for him to speak elsewhere? Obviously he accepted their invite and was interested in giving his perspective on the killing of Palestinian journalists who are targeted by Israel, and I think they are the only journalists allowed in the country.
It is not just journalists. You should visit their home page and see the list of patrons - former ministers and corporate heads. "Fellow so-called ‘journalists’ did this" because they like to be petted by the Big Club.
What cowardly simps they are, Chris, for canceling you. Never mind. We hear you
.
If Israel woke up tomorrow and every Palestinian on the face of the earth were dead, it would still have the very same problems as before. Their issues, just as those of us all, are not external, but live in darkened hearts and minds.
If every Palestinian were to disappear from the earth and memory tomorrow, Israel would just demand more.
It already has, and your right it will continue to do so. Just heard it's got tic-tok.
nasty scary people.
You’re exactly right to trumpet censorship for the state abuse it is. Thank you, Chris, for keeping us informed. When people are oppressed and deplatformed they often feel the “bad news” reflects negatively on them, they shouldn’t, yours is another medal in the battle for truth & justice.
I don't think Hedges feels this is a negative reflection on him, and it isn't, but a decision that reflects very badly on them. Time will reflect their complicity in a genocide made by their cowardly decision.
No doubt the state and it's position on Israel's genocide was very instrumental in their decision.
Another Australian here. I greatly dislike the gutless Australian government, but I believe it is extraordinarily unlikely that the government leaned on the NPCA in any way. In this country, a great deal of leaning is done directly on the Press by Israel's supporters. And, after many years of this, sometimes not much leaning has to be done at all - it is just understood that certain journalistic actions aren't good for career progression.
First of all Cointelbro why do you take on such a demeaning attitude when addressing others who present a different perspective then your own? You adopt such an all knowing sense of superiority, and it's quite offensive.
Seems Israel is really pissed off. Goodbye.
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/albaneses-choice-and-australias-shame/
I'm no expert in regard to what's going on in Australia in regard to Israel, but I do know the relationship Australia has with Israel at this point in time is not rock solid like it use to be, and I'm sure it's rather large Jewish population is not happy, as well as others who felt their alliance was a big security plus. To be succinct there is a lot of controversy going on in regard to Israel in Australia. So you can't sit back and claim this was solely due to a separate private entity making an independent decision. I don't think they did! By the way your condescending tone is quite offensive.
In 1939 the great Marion Anderson was scheduled to perform in Constitution Hall in Washington D. C. The Daughters of the American Revolution refused to allow Anderson to sing because the audience was integrated.
The concert was then moved outdoors to the Washington Mall where, instead of the 3,700 people who had bought tickets to the Hall, she sang to an enthusiastic audience of 75,000.
The power is always with the people. The trick is in how to get them to use it.
Ah yes, another so-called “civilized” nation and institution shows it is anything but. Yes indeed, they need to keep covering up the Israeli genocide which is simply a figment of our imagination according to their narrative. We are living in an Orwellian novel and there won’t be a happy ending. What is going on in Gaza to the Palestinians is coming for the rest of us as the Oligarchs feed their empty souls with the everyone else. There are no words in any language to describe the horror of what “humanity” has wrought upon each other and the world by these monsters. Wailing is what is needed instead of words. Endless wailing and endless general strikes and boycotts.
Endless strikes and boycotts--the power of the people. When will The People listen to the calls for their own defense? Whose voice will they hear?
In America Israel owns US, AIPAC, and that has got to change. That has to be something that becomes well known!!!!!!!!!!!!! Israel has Trump wrapped around their finger.
I strongly agree Fran. Consider that 88% of US Senators and representatives get AIPAC money tells us everything we need to know about who owns / controls the US government. I believe the website is: trackaipac.com where one can find out for themselves who's on the take. I live in a very Blue state (I call it "Blutopian") and all 5-of our elected officials are on the take from AIPAC. Yet, when I've mentioned this recently to a few blindly loyal Democrats they were angry at me for sating that fact - can you say "lesser of two evils" and group think is alive and well (very un-well actually) here. We aren't ever going to make progress with this type of thinking.
Most people who think they are politically knowledgeable, are not. My brother with a PhD thinks tuning into MSNBC and Maddow tells him all that he has to know. Whether it's the news on TV, or in print, it rarely operates without a political bias, so nothing knew when it comes to your friends. People are not made aware of how much control Israel operates within this country, and no doubt many will view that statement, critical of Israel, as anti-Semitic. "Israel Seizes Control of U.S. TikTok Algorithm as Zionist Social Media Takeover Accelerates.' Oh, is this not good.
What you describe Fran is much the same as my experience. Friends of mine with advanced degrees are always dismissive of what I say and especially of things I try to share (over the past 20-years more or less) with them of Chris Hedges writings especially. These people cannot imagine that I might actually know something that they do not know and will become angry when I criticize the Democrat Party (I have never voted Republican). As you say, most people have no idea how much control Israel has over our government. I hope this is changing. I appreciate your comments and knowledge - thank you.
John, just here to say some of your friends are snobs.
Many fellow citizens simply are disinterested and detached. Unless you pursue alternative investigative outlets, almost religiously, your disinterest melds with your vision of government from high school, maybe college. If you have more than a few decades on your tread, you are in severe jet lag about the truth of dynamics today. People hate to be wrong as much as they “have" to be right. Why are folks disinterested? Good question. I wonder if it has anything to do with their felt sense of courage? Or a way to avoid guilt with its built in energy of the need to make amends, to act in accordance with Higher Self?
I tried 2 times to edit the mistakes in my comment...and despite hitting "save" both times, the edits were not. Alas.
Very insightful comment Selena. I am too often surprised at how some people have not moved beyond or even seem interested in challenging beliefs they were fed from grade school on, i.e., the US is the greatest (ever) country on earth, our culture and lifestyle is the best, we live in the best Democracy, so on and so forth. For them, believing these statements without question or challenging the validity is unnecessary - they eat it with a spoon and expect others do and should as well. From a very young age I could tell that what I was told was true and what I saw my elders do were not in alignment - I trusted this observation from that point on and never looked back.
The relentless Zionist lobby how desperate they are to keep the truth being reiterated they keep proving this with every cancellation etc we all hold you in high regard Chris the best of the best your opinions & in-depth analysis keep us well informed .. respect ‘ thank you for always speaking truth to power.
Truth is powerful!
The National Press Club of Australia is a disgusting bunch of craven, genocide-enabling worshippers of imperial power. You wouldn’t want to go near the place. The putrid stench of rotting Nazi flesh would turn your stomach.
You’re amazing. You can always speak at the standing room only Media Sanctuary who beautifully record and post your crying, mournful, elegiac sentences bringing form and substance to the American corporate criminality of illegal occupation and genocide.
Shameful and sickening. I went to their X page and posted this and wrote a few words. They need to be outed worldwide
Take action today
FIFA and UEFA are meeting about whether to expel Israel from their tournaments. Take action today, because actions of this kind may be one of the only things that matters to those committing the atrocities against the Palestinian people. Tell FIFA to ban Israel from playing in the 2026 World Cup:
In the UK:
https://palestinecampaign.eaction.org.uk/banIsrael
Worldwide:
https://www.gameoverisrael.com/en
And
https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/ban_israel_from_the_world_cup_2_0/?bezdetb&v=169237&cl=22311971612&_checksum=6d83a36799686c95d03116e8c556125ab456e12a3f0eebd7c7cf7b35a91a2184&utm_source=email&utm_medium=blast_email&utm_campaign=169237
what an important peace. thank you Mr Hedges for the immensely truthful and brave work you have been doing as a journalist and as a human being. may God bless you. it's a shame beyond words that they would censor you even after 2 years of live-streamed genocide. God sees it and His reckoning will be severe.
balance would be live toe to toe discourse with the adversary. Sorry the national press club of Australia does not have the courage to do its job.